Historically, funerals have taken place within the week following death because there were no alternatives. Without refrigeration, embalming, or cremation options, bodies had to be disposed of quickly. This meant that the funeral and/or memorial service took place regardless of the time of year or the extenuating circumstances. (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘death’
Top Reasons to Delay a Funeral
Wednesday, June 8th, 2016The Best Age to Pre-Plan a Funeral
Tuesday, June 7th, 2016By now, we have all heard the advice from funeral directors and financial experts: making advance arrangements for your funeral is a smart move that will save your family money, heartache, and the stress that so often accompanies an unexpected death. (more…)
Planning the Committal Service
Monday, June 6th, 2016When it comes to funeral planning, there are several different kinds of services you will need to consider. A wake, vigil, or visitation takes place prior to the funeral, offering loved ones a chance to gather (either in the presence of the deceased’s remains or not) to give their last respects. A funeral service is the formal ceremony that takes place at a church or funeral home with the body in attendance. A memorial service is similar in format, though it does not include the body and can thus be held anywhere, at any time. (more…)
How Much is Too Much to Spend on a Funeral?
Tuesday, May 31st, 2016When 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
Monday, May 30th, 2016Even 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 Have a Headstone Replaced
Tuesday, May 24th, 2016There 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…)
The Modern-Day Wake
Wednesday, May 18th, 2016These 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?
Tuesday, May 17th, 2016Like 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
Monday, May 16th, 2016Most 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…)