Animals that Mourn their Dead
March 1st, 2016 The ritual of funeral planning and burying a loved one is something that is uniquely human. No other species on the planet takes quite as much time and care to say goodbye, and the rituals we rely on to find comfort in our loss are impossible to duplicate. However, that does not mean animals don’t share our sense of loss. Dogs at their owners’ funerals have been known to exhibit physical signs of grief, and it is not uncommon for one pet to pass away soon after another one has died.Everything You Need to Know about Burial Liners
February 29th, 2016 There are few things worse than feeling you are being taken advantage of when going through the process of burying a loved one. In the midst of all the funeral planning and preparation, you may feel that several purchases are unnecessary or designed to put an even higher price tag on your already mounting funeral costs—and burial liners tend to stick out the strongest.Funeral Flower Terminology
February 23rd, 2016 Sending sympathy flowers to a family in mourning is a great way to show your support and contribute to the funeral arrangements. However, it can be difficult to know what kind of funeral flowers to send or what each type of bouquet entails.Funeral Tipping Etiquette
February 22nd, 2016We know to tip at least 15 percent when we dine out at a restaurant, and that it is polite to leave our change in the jar for the barista. But when it comes to planning a funeral, is there an expected gratuity? (more…)
Funeral Flower Crafts
February 17th, 2016After the funeral has come to an end and all the out-of-town guests have departed, you may find yourself facing an abundance of leftovers. From too many cakes and casseroles to vases full of funeral flowers, there tends to be quite a bit of overflow after the death of a loved one. (more…)
How to Write a Funeral Absence Letter
February 16th, 2016When a death occurs in your family, you may be required to notify your place of business or school that you will need a leave of absence for bereavement purposes. Although many companies have policies in place for bereavement leave, not all of them do, and you may or may not be granted the time off depending on how you craft your request. (more…)
Hiring Clergy or a Celebrant for a Funeral
February 15th, 2016Funeral services and memorial services are almost always overseen by a member of the clergy or other religious leader. Because so much about death has to do with spiritual customs and religious traditions, it is comforting to have someone who is able to not only hold the service in accordance with your beliefs, but who can also provide the spiritual guidance you need during this difficult time. (more…)
Activities for Kids at a Funeral
February 11th, 2016Although bringing kids to a funeral is something not everyone agrees on, there are times and places when children either must be or choose to be present. No one knows your child as well as you do, and the decision to bring them along rests entirely with you and the immediate family of the deceased. (more…)
Hidden Costs of Cremation
February 10th, 2016We often see cremation offered as an affordable alternative to burial—a way to say goodbye without the heavy costs associated with buying a casket, purchasing a grave plot, and putting up a headstone. While it is possible to save thousands of dollars this way, not all cremations end up being less than burial. Because so much depends on the details, you could actually end up paying more for cremation than you would for a simple or direct burial. (more…)