How Much is Too Much to Spend on a Funeral?

May 31st, 2016
How Much is Too Much to Spend on a Funeral?

How Much is Too Much to Spend on a Funeral?

When it comes to giving your loved one a fitting farewell, you might be tempted to say that no amount of money is too much to spend on the perfect funeral. After all, funeral planning is something you only get to do for somebody once, and after the decisions have been put into action, there is no turning back. (more…)

Five (Surprisingly) Entertaining Books about the Death Care Industry

May 30th, 2016
Five (Surprisingly) Entertaining Books about the Death Care Industry

Five (Surprisingly) Entertaining Books about the Death Care Industry

Even though funeral homes and death care industry workers work hard to make death a natural part of the life cycle, there have always been taboos in place when it comes to talking about death and dying. And it’s no wonder—the finality of death is a scary prospect. However, it is also an inevitable one. (more…)

How to Travel with Cremated Remains

May 25th, 2016
How to Travel with Cremated Remains

How to Travel with Cremated Remains

One of the nicest benefits of cremation is that you are not restricted in how you transport your loved one. Because you do not have to worry about health and sanitation restrictions, you can take the remains with you when you move, travel overseas, or come up with a plan for the disposal of the ashes. (more…)

How to Have a Headstone Replaced

May 24th, 2016
How to Have a Headstone Replaced

How to Have a Headstone Replaced

There are dozens of reasons why a headstone (or grave marker) might have to be replaced or updated. Over time, wear and tear can break down the integrity of the stone—especially in areas with extreme weather. An error might have been made in the spelling of a name or date of birth. A shared plot often leaves room for an additional name in the future, but the spouse may change his or her mind about burial plans. You might also wish to upgrade a smaller headstone into something more elaborate as your financial situation improves. (more…)

Quick Guide to Memorial Holidays

May 23rd, 2016
Quick Guide to Memorial Holidays

Quick Guide to Memorial Holidays

Every culture commemorates death in different ways and on different dates. Although mourning can and does happen on any day out of the year, certain dates are set aside as periods of national bereavement and cultural celebrations. Depending on where you live and what your beliefs regarding the afterlife are, you may find this list of memorial holidays helpful. (more…)

The Modern-Day Wake

May 18th, 2016
The Modern-Day Wake

The Modern-Day Wake

These days, a wake is considered more of a formal tradition of the past than a way to say goodbye to a loved one. Historically, wakes were held when families cared for the body of a loved one at home (as opposed to a funeral home). There was no central location where bodies were prepared for burial, so families would keep the body in a room in the house for the one or two days it would take to make all the arrangements. (more…)

Is Winter the Best Time to Pre-Plan a Funeral?

May 17th, 2016
Is Winter the Best Time to Pre-Plan a Funeral?

Is Winter the Best Time to Pre-Plan a Funeral?

Like most industries, there is a busy season and a non-busy season for funeral homes. Although no one can predict their time of death, funeral homes tend to see more traffic during the summer months. More families choose this time to make pre-arrangements, purchase cemetery plots, and inter ashes they may have been holding onto since the winter. Because it can be difficult to open up the ground under piles of snow (and because gathering funeral guests around the holidays is almost impossible), people may also put off traditional burial until the warmer months. (more…)

How to Choose a Crematory

May 16th, 2016
How to Choose a Crematory

How to Choose a Crematory

Most people already know that when they are ready to start funeral planning, they will need to select the funeral home and cemetery that will be handling their loved one’s remains. After all, the funeral home you choose determines who will be responsible for overseeing the entire funeral process, and the cemetery is where you will visit your loved one’s remains for decades to come. (more…)

What to Wear to a Funeral When You Are Expecting

May 11th, 2016
What to Wear to a Funeral When You Are Expecting

What to Wear to a Funeral When You Are Expecting

The old funeral superstitions say that pregnant women should not attend funerals, for fear that the spirits of the dead will somehow enter their womb and take over their unborn child. While we have pretty much laid those fears to rest these days, expectant mothers still sometimes struggle with attending the service. With maternity clothes so expensive and limited wardrobe options at home, it can be hard to figure out what to wear to a funeral when you are pregnant. (more…)

How to Use Social Media to Pay for a Funeral

May 10th, 2016
How to Use Social Media to Pay for a Funeral

How to Use Social Media to Pay for a Funeral

When a loved one passes away unexpectedly, funeral costs can be difficult for families to cover all on their own. With no advance planning, no money set aside, and (oftentimes) hospital bills that will also need to be paid, the idea of facing several thousand dollars to pay for the funeral can be overwhelming. (more…)

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