Posts Tagged ‘death’

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Funeral Planning and Family Heirlooms

Thursday, November 4th, 2010

Funeral Planning and Family HeirloomsWhen funeral planning, it’s common to spend some time sorting through your possessions as well as the possessions of the deceased. This difficult time is often made better by going through memories that you’ve shared as friends and family members, and finding photographs, keepsakes, and hand-written notes is a great way to infuse a positive spin on the mourning process.

Much of the time, this is done before the funeral takes place, since you may want some of these keepsakes and pictures to display at the ceremony or to give to a loved one who will be in attendance. Some families also wait a few weeks in order to have the time they need to sort through items or even to determine who gets what, as determined by the will.

Both situations are just fine, and only you can determine for certain what works best for your family. However, one thing that remains the same regardless of your background and situation is just how precious family heirlooms can be.
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Grave Curiosities

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

Grave CuriositiesThanks to everyone for making us a front page item on Digg, Reddit, and Yahoo Buzz!!!

We have scoured the internet to fine these odd and bizarre facts related to death throughout culture, history, and even celebrity. If you enjoyed these truly weird facts and stats, please feel free to share using the HTML below but please include a link to us!
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At a Loss for Words? Offering Support for a Grieving Family

Monday, September 20th, 2010

At a Loss for Words? Offering Support for a Grieving FamilyIn the midst of death, grief, and funeral planning, it can be very difficult for families to cope with the loss they face. Everyone grieves in a different way, and providing support can be a challenge – especially if you’re uncertain what you can do that won’t add even more worry or work to an already overburdened load.

Depending on how well you know the family (and your location), here are a few different types of support you can provide.

Ask what you can do to help with the funeral plans. Although showing up at the funeral home to help pick out a casket or providing your thoughts on cremation aren’t great ideas unless you’ve been directly asked, it is nice to offer your support. Let the family know that
you are willing to help out in any way you can, even if it’s a simple as gathering favorite
photos or buying a nice flower arrangement for the memorial service.
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Does a Funeral Have to Include a Viewing of the Body?

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010

Does a Funeral Have to Include a Viewing of the Body?Body viewings are a common practice in the United States – a tradition that dates back centuries and continues to flourish even today. Originally a religious custom, body viewings have now become a way for family members and friends to pay their respects and say their final goodbyes before the more formal funeral ceremony begins.

During the funeral planning process, the funeral home director will most likely ask what you and your family would like to do regarding the open casket options. Although you might feel pressured to have a body viewing because it is so common, you are fully within your rights to prefer a closed casket. In fact, many modern green funeral proponents say that the added chemicals involved in the embalming are an unnecessary waste and strain on the eco-system.

Before you make a decision, be sure and check with any funeral pre-plan wishes set out by the deceased as well as the wishes of family members. For some, the ability to view a body and say goodbye is an important step in the grieving process.

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Coping with Funerals and Loss

Friday, September 10th, 2010

Coping with Funerals and LossIt’s inevitable that as we age, more and more of our friends, relatives, and acquaintances pass away. Funeral planning, which seems so far away during our youth, becomes almost second nature as the decades pass, even though the pain of each death can be just as acute as the first.

For many people in this situation, it can be difficult to reconcile one’s own mortality with the joys of living. However, the real purpose of funerals is not only to commemorate the deceased, but to celebrate life. If you’re having a difficult time with the passing of a loved one, or if you’re seeking ways to look beyond funeral plans to the life you have ahead of you, here are a few helpful steps:

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Famous and Beautiful Cemeteries

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Famous and Beautiful Cemeteries When making burial arrangements or funeral planning, many people pay attention to the ambiance of the final resting ground. After all, this is the place loved ones will visit for decades as a way to remember a life lived and lost.

Modern cemeteries tend to have a fairly clinical feel to them, with well-laid out plots and modest headstones – which is great for maximizing the available space and providing a serene place for visiting the graves of those we love. However, much of the charm of older burial grounds is lost in these types of cemeteries. In fact, some of the best places to be buried include those where a little bit of wilderness and a whole lot of history combine to create a verdant, timeless setting.
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Choosing the Right Words for a Headstone

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Choosing the Right Words for a Headstone One of the most lasting pieces of funeral planning is the words on the headstone. Whether they are clever, meaningful, or just informational, it is these words that will embody the final message of the deceased at the cemetery. Because of this, it is important that the final arrangements made to theheadstone represent what the deceased and the deceased’s loved ones want the world to remember.

Virtually all headstones have the deceased’s name and the years of birth and death. Many modern stones also include the actual birth date and date of death as well. These decisions depend largely on how much space the headstone offers as well as the style of other commemorations at the cemetery.

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Who Should Be in Charge of Funeral Planning: the Funeral Home or a Family Member?

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Who Should Be in Charge of Funeral Planning: the Funeral Home or a Family Member? In almost all cases in which you make financial arrangements during the funeral planning stages, it will be necessary to choose a beneficiary or executor. This will be the individual who spends whatever money you have set aside for the funeral and who is called upon to make decisions regarding products, services, and payment arrangements.

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Is Cremation Appropriate For Everyone?

Friday, August 6th, 2010

Is Cremation Appropriate For Everyone?Cremation is becoming an increasingly viable choice for those who wish to step away from traditional burial platforms. With lower overall costs, a healthier environmental stamp, and the ability to personally connect with the deceased remains, there are a number of good reasons to consider this funeral planning option. However, because cremation has not become quite as widespread as traditional burial, some families may not be ready to take this step.
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Coping with Loss

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

Coping with LossThe one part of funeral planning that almost no one can prepare for is the act of grieving over the loss of a loved one. There is no way to know for sure how death will affect you until it happens, and the way you process your emotions is unique to you and your relationship with the deceased.

Just like planning a funeral, there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Whether you turn to religion, to familiar comforts, or take your time in coming to terms with your loss, there are resources you can turn to in order to make the process easier.
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