Foolproof Tips for Hosting a Funeral Reception

March 1st, 2019

Foolproof Tips for Hosting a Funeral Reception

Funeral receptions (sometimes called a wake or end-of-life celebration) are some of the most difficult events to plan—and not just because sudden grief makes it difficult to attend to small details. Because most funeral timelines take place in less than a week, you rarely have time to do things like call caterers, find locations that are available, cook enough food for a hundred people, and take care of all the other necessary tasks. (more…)

10 Essential Funeral Planning Questions

February 25th, 2019

10 Essential Funeral Planning Questions

Planning a funeral for a loved one is an emotional process that is likely to financially cost you as much as buying a car, paying for a wedding, or even making a down payment on a house. It is  also something you get one chance at. Although you can always hold a memorial service for a loved one at a future date (or even exhume remains to have them buried elsewhere), for most people, the funeral is your last opportunity to say goodbye. (more…)

Finding Support for the Funeral Planning Process

February 21st, 2019

Finding Support for the Funeral Planning Process

Planning a funeral for a loved one is much easier if you have someone to share the burden with you. Although too many people coming together to plan a funeral (such as all the adult children of a beloved father or mother) can make it difficult to reach important decisions, having someone by your side as you navigate the burial options, caskets, headstones, and funeral flowers can help you make smarter—and more cost-effective—decisions. (more…)

Supporting a Parent Who Is Grieving

January 30th, 2019

Supporting a Parent Who Is Grieving

Knowing what to say to support someone who has recently experienced a death in the family can be difficult; knowing what to say to support a parent who has recently lost a child is almost impossible. There is no remedy for that kind of pain, no way to make the loss easier to bear. There is nothing you can say and nothing you can do to make up for the overwhelming feelings that occur when a parent loses a child. (more…)

How to Choose an Outfit for Burial

January 25th, 2019

How to Choose an Outfit for Burial

The dressing of the deceased has long been an important and meaningful cultural practice. Whether the body is devoid of all material possessions and wrapped in a shroud, or if you go all out and bury your loved one in their favorite ball gown or wedding dress, deciding what to wear  is entirely up to you and your family. Although it is rarely a good idea to bury a loved one in an item of high value (like a family heirloom or other piece of jewelry), there is nothing wrong with purchasing a new outfit, burying the deceased in her favorite pair of heels, or even going all out in sports or military regalia. (more…)

Most Common Regrets of the Dying

January 21st, 2019

Most Common Regrets of the Dying

Death is the one thing no one can avoid and few can see coming. It is the one universal experience (besides birth) that each of us will have regardless of where we lived, how we loved, what we did for a living, how much we earned, or any of the other choices we made. (more…)

How (and Why) Grief Looks Different for Men

January 16th, 2019

How (and Why) Grief Looks Different for Men

Every single person—male or female—grieves in her or his own unique way. Factors such as religious upbringing, cultural perspective, personal beliefs and relationships, the cause of death, and even the time of year when death occurred can all affect the way someone handles loss in their life. This being said, however, there are some universal human experiences that make grief look similar across the board…until you start comparing men and women. (more…)

Famous Historical Epitaphs

January 11th, 2019

Famous Historical Epitaphs

Take a walk through any historical cemetery, and you will likely find much more variability in things like headstones, grave markers, vaults, and the epitaphs engraved on them. Although most modern headstones all bear a similar appearance and carry familiar sentiments, older generations put a little more creativity into the act of saying a final goodbye. (more…)

Ways to Grieve Pets

January 4th, 2019
Ways to Grieve Pets

Ways to Grieve Pets

Losing a pet or animal companion can be one of the most difficult experiences you will go through. Unlike the death of a human friend or relative (which is surrounded by rituals such as traditional funerals, support groups, and outpourings of help from the community), a pet death is often a solitary affair. Most people have circles of friends, relatives, co-workers, acquaintances, and others with whom they come into contact on a daily basis. When death occurs, these people tend to come forward to offer their condolences, assistance, and happy memories of the deceased—all of which can help you in the grieving process. (more…)

What’s in a Headstone? Choosing the Right Material for a Headstone

December 27th, 2018
What’s in a Headstone? Choosing the Right Material for a Headstone

What’s in a Headstone? Choosing the Right Material for a Headstone

When you visit a modern cemetery, you notice that most of the headstones take on a similar look and shape. Neat rows of granite plaques line the ground—some with engravings and some without, some featuring vases that lift up to provide a convenient place for decorations. In older parts of the cemetery, you are likely to find headstones of all shapes and sizes, some in a much better state of preservation than others. (more…)

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