Posts Tagged ‘cemetery’

Although the funeral industry is typically slower to change than many other fields, there have been great advances lately regarding burial options, memorial services, and funeral technology. More and more people are turning to online platforms to share their grief and make their advance funeral plans, and the traditions of the past—heavy on the more ornate process of burial in a cemetery—are being set aside for more streamlined funeral options. (more…)

One of the most common ways to begin your funeral pre-planning is to purchase a cemetery plot well in advance of death. Because these parcels of land are fairly expensive (expect them to range between $2,000 and $4,000), getting the payments done and out of the way is a great way to reduce future funeral costs.

Of course, doing anything this far in advance means you to need to think long and hard about what you want out of your funeral package. Cemetery plots are very stationary things, and while some contracts allow you to buy and sell them after your original purchase is complete, this option isn’t always guaranteed.

How Many Cemetery Plots?

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Cremation is gaining traction as the funeral planning method of choice, with over a third of Americans opting to be cremated over being buried. These numbers are only expected to continue rising, and estimates suggest that over half of all deaths will end in cremation by the year 2020.

Of course, just because cremation is becoming more popular doesn’t mean everyone will have to dispose of the ashes in the same way. One of the best things about cremation is how creative you can get with the remains. Here are ten unique and not-so-unique ways to say goodbye to your loved one.

1. Display the Urn: Although some people find it macabre to keep a loved one’s ashes displayed on the mantle, this is a traditional option for anyone who wants to stay near their dear and departed. A decorative urn can be placed in the home or in a columbarium for regular visitations.

2. Ash Scattering Ceremony: Most people opt to scatter the cremated remains of a loved one. Whether you go out back in the garden or stand on the bow of a boat and send the ashes off to sea, scattering the ashes is a great way to say goodbye (just make sure you have the right permits first) (more…)

When it comes to funeral flowers, arrangements for the service itself tend to be the main focus. Casket flowers, wreaths in the shape of a circle or cross, and elaborate funeral sprays sent from relatives fill the mourning space with the fresh scent and sight of nature. However, these aren’t the only funeral flowers to choose from. If your loved one opted for burial, you will also want to consider what type of flowers you want present at the cemetery and placed on the gravesite—both during the service and in the weeks, months, and years that follow.

Types of Grave Flowers

Because cemeteries tend to have strict beautification rules, grave flowers (or any type of decorative arrangement you put on a grave or near a headstone) come with greater restrictions than most other types of funeral flowers. Depending on (more…)

Although you can plan an entire funeral service from start to finish without hiring special vehicles or making arrangements for a procession, elegant transportation provides a nice touch to the day. Whether you opt for a fleet of limousines to take you from the funeral home to the cemetery, or if everyone hauls out a bicycle and takes one last ride in honor of the deceased, there are plenty of ways to make a funeral unique with these transportation ideas.

Traditional Funeral Escorts

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Visiting a cemetery is something that almost everyone does at some point in their life. Whether it’s a trip to a local cemetery to say goodbye to a loved one, a stop at a famous cemetery as part of a grief tour, or simply because you want to enjoy the quaint setting and serenity to be found in a cemetery, there are plenty of reasons to stop by.

And while most cemeteries have regular visiting hours and encourage people to come in, it’s important to remember that these facilities are considered safe, sacred spaces for those who are mourning. In addition to following each cemetery’s individual guidelines, it’s also a good idea to follow a few general cemetery etiquette suggestions.

• Don’t visit at night without permission. Most cemeteries have set hours of operation, which are listed on their gates or at the main facilities. Those without set hours are typically open from dawn until dusk, and don’t encourage nighttime visitors. If you do want to visit after hours, be sure and contact someone in charge to get permission first.

• Don’t sit on, lean on, or make rubbings of the erected memorials. Headstones, vaults, crypts, and memorial benches are meant to stand for hundreds years. (And in historic cemeteries, many of them already have!) Do your best not to interact with the stone materials, especially if you don’t have permission first. Many cemeteries forbid headstone rubbings because of the additional wear and tear they cause. (more…)

These days, most cemeteries have strict regulations regarding what types of flowers you can put on a grave and how long they can remain before being removed. This is done not to inconvenience families, but to ensure that the grounds remain beautiful for all the visitors stopping by.

Although it is much more common to find artificial flowers and wreaths at a gravesite than it is too see an actual flowering plant in the ground, some cemeteries do hold on to the older traditions that allow you to plant. If you’re fortunate enough to have a loved one buried in this type of cemetery, here are a few tips for planting the right kinds of flowers to ensure year-round beauty.

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If you’re getting ready to pre-plan a funeral and are looking to save some money on burial costs, it might be a good idea to look into pre-owned cemetery plots. Although the name is a bit macabre (bringing to mind burial plots that have already seen bodies come and go), the concept of a pre-owned plot is actually quite normal.

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If you or a loved one has decided to be cremated rather than buried, it’s important to remember that just as much effort should go into choosing a reputable crematorium as it does for choosing a good funeral home.

Although the majority of crematoriums you’ll encounter are reputable (especially those that are located on cemetery grounds), there should be some transparency in the process. You should feel free to tour the area, ask questions, and be confident in the fact that your loved one is being handled with respect.

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Pet cemeteries are an important part of the grieving process for many individuals who have lost a beloved pet. While most pet funeral plans include a backyard service or a call to the local animal shelter to handle the remains, it’s becoming increasingly more common for individuals to opt for a formal service (ranging from pet cremation to traditional burial).

This practice is nothing new in the United States—in fact, the oldest pet cemetery in the world can be found in Hartsdale, New York. The Hartsdale Pet Cemetery facility, established in 1896, is currently the final resting place for tens of thousands of animals, and continues to provide a burial place for pets even today.

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