Posts Tagged ‘funeral flowers’

Planning a Non-Denominational Funeral

If you belong to a particular religious or cultural community, there are probably guidelines for planning and holding a funeral. For thousands of years, funeral rites have been tied to religion, which may dictate everything from how many days should pass before you bury the deceased to how the body is disposed of. So, too, may religion guide who oversees the funeral rites, what readings and prayers are said, and even how the community will come together to support the family in the days and weeks that follow. (more…)

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…)

International Funeral Etiquette

If you travel a lot for work, have family overseas, live as an expat, or are abroad when a death occurs, you might find yourself invited to a funeral in another country (or for someone of a different culture). This can be an intimidating prospect, since different countries have different outlooks on death and dying. Their funerals may be loud and celebratory and open to all. They might be small, private affairs that outsiders are not welcome to attend. Funeral flowers might be expected, or they might be considered an insult. Unless you have a lot of knowledge about a country or culture, you have no way of knowing about their rituals. (more…)

Deciding Whether or Not to Participate in a Funeral

One of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to the death of a friend or relative is, “Should I attend the funeral?” (more…)

What to Do When There is No Funeral

Not everyone is grieved in a big, formal way. Although most families hold some sort of memorial service when a loved one dies, there are times when there is no commemoration planned. This might be due to scheduling conflicts, a lack of finances, a recent spate of deaths in the family, or even because it was what the deceased wished. (more…)

Losing Someone to a Drug Overdose

Even though the number of drug overdose deaths in the United States outnumbers the number of deaths caused by traffic accidents, it remains one of the most stigmatized ways to lose a loved one. It doesn’t matter whether the death was caused by an addiction to prescription drugs or illegal drugs—society’s view remains the same. (more…)

What to Send to a Funeral for Suicide

When a friend or relative dies, it is common to send a sympathy gift in the form of flowers, food, or a card. This gesture lets the family know that you are thinking of them at a difficult time and that you are available for emotional support when it is needed. (more…)

What to Do When You Cannot Get Funeral Leave

If you recently experienced a death in the family and work for a company without a bereavement leave policy, you may find yourself unable to get time off to attend the funeral. Although most employers are understanding when a death occurs (especially if it was a close relative or immediate family member), it can and does happen that an employer denies a bereavement request or simply cannot give you leave at a particular time. (more…)

Which Type of Funeral Flower Arrangement Should I Send?

When a loved one dies, you may wish to send a funeral flower arrangement as a way of showing your condolences and affection. This time-honored tradition allows you to participate in the funeral even if you cannot be there, and also provides a way for you to support the family even if your relationship is not a close one. (more…)

How to Decline an Invitation to a Funeral

Not all funerals are held at convenient times or convenient locations. Unlike weddings, which can be planned months in advance, funerals crop up unexpectedly regardless of the time, date, weather conditions, or other plans you might already have. (more…)