Posts Tagged ‘Funeral Home’

What to Do if You Can’t Afford a Funeral

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

What to Do if You Can’t Afford a FuneralFor all the benefits of advance funeral planning, burial insurance, and the affordability of options like direct cremation, death is still a very costly affair. In fact, for some families, it’s too costly—and that’s when funeral planning can become a real problem. Although it isn’t something people like to think about (either in relation to their own life or in others), there are occasions in which it simply isn’t possible to pay for a funeral.

While this situation isn’t ideal, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have options. Government and church organizations exist to provide support, and you may be able to find a financing option that suits your lifestyle. If you are getting ready to plan a funeral and don’t have the available funds to cover it all, here are a few of the choices you face:

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Burial Alternatives: Mausoleums

Monday, February 20th, 2012

Burial Alternatives: MausoleumsMausoleums are an alternative to earth burial that places the body to rest in an above-ground crypt. Most often associated with New Orleans, where the moist ground makes it impossible to bury human remains underground for any length of time, mausoleums are usually small house-like structures that are organized in a cemetery alongside other interment options. While beautiful and stately, mausoleums do have a tendency to be more expensive, and may even come with stipulations like sharing the space with other families.

All About Mausoleums

Mausoleums are one of the oldest types of formal burial in the world—in fact, the ancient pyramids of Egypt and the Taj Mahal in India are both examples of some of the more elaborate mausoleums in human history. The term is used to describe any outbuilding in which caskets are entombed, whether it is just one casket or several crypts in which various bodies can be laid to rest.

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The Three Most Common Times to Start Planning a Funeral

Monday, February 13th, 2012

The Three Most Common Times to Start Planning a FuneralMost people assume that funeral planning is something that happens once death occurs—which is part of the reason it gets such a bad reputation. There are few things worse than being forced to choose a casket, select a burial plot, and talk about ways to pay for a funeral while you’re still reeling from a sudden loss.

While the most common reason people plan a funeral is because a loved one has passed away, it’s not the only time for this task to get done. Here are the three top times for funeral planning and what each situation entails.

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Everything You Need to Know About Embalming

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

Everything You Need to Know About EmbalmingOne of the many issues that will come up as you go through the funeral planning process is whether or not you’d like to have the deceased embalmed. Embalming, which is the procedure done to remove all the fluids in the body and replace them with a chemical mixture that preserves the tissue, has long been a staple in the funeral industry.

While there are some instances in which embalming is a legal requirement, most people can opt out of this burial practice with few repercussions. If you are unsure whether or not this option is right for you, consider the following embalming facts:

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Historic and Green Burials at Boulder Funeral Homes

Monday, June 6th, 2011

Historic and Green Burials at Boulder Funeral HomesAlthough most people come to Boulder, Colorado to enjoy the unique mixture of urban life and a focus on the great outdoors, this city is also a great destination to enjoy history. In addition to hotels, museums, and outdoor sites, Boulder funeral homes and Boulder cemeteries offer the chance to witness the remains of the American West and give ideals for Boulder funeral planning.

Of these, the most famous site, Columbia Cemetery, regularly tops the lists of things to see and do in Boulder. Even if you think visiting cemeteries for fun is a little out of the ordinary, this one is well worth a trip. As part of the Boulder historical backdrop, you can get a taste of the past while also enjoying the great outdoor spaces that make this city so famous.

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The Funeral Industry in Bellevue: Funeral Homes and Cemeteries

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

The Funeral Industry in Bellevue: Funeral Homes and CemeteriesBellevue funeral homes are a lot like the city itself and are ideal for funeral planning in Bellevue. Located across Lake Washington from Seattle and existing primarily as a satellite city to that metropolitan hub, Bellevue has all the benefits of a large and booming city, but with a smaller feel and a slower pace that many people prefer in the place they call home. For those seeking a much more permanent kind of residence, the appeal is the same. The large concentration of parks and the community focus on affluence, beauty, and upkeep mean that Bellevue cemeteries are among the most beautiful final resting places in the country.

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History in the Making: Austin Funeral Homes and Cemeteries

Thursday, May 26th, 2011

History in the Making: Austin Funeral Homes and CemeteriesLike many parts of the city, Austin cemeteries here are rich with history and tradition. If you’re taking a tour of historic Austin, or if you want to learn more about Austin funeral planning and the burial practices here, you should consider taking a tour of the local cemeteries. In fact, one of the most famous cemeteries in the state of Texas is an active part of the Austin funeral home industry, and you may even find the place you wish your own family to be buried.

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What Does a Funeral Director Do?

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010

What Does a Funeral Director Do?The funeral director is your guide to the funeral planning process, from the first decisions you make to the very last. These professionals generally have one to two years of formal education (in a college setting), and have successfully completed a one-year apprenticeship program with a licensed funeral home. Further licensure is offered by each individual state, and many funeral directors are part of the National Funeral Directors Association, which oversees the profession.

Even with all these credentials in place, it’s important to find a funeral director you personally connect with. Because you are most likely going to be dependent on your funeral director for emotional support as you go through the difficult process of funeral planning, having a comfortable, working relationship will make everything a little bit easier.

As you begin, your funeral director (and his or her team) will:

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Funeral Insurance: Family Convenience

Monday, September 27th, 2010

Funeral Insurance: Family ConvenienceOne of the primary factors in choosing advance funeral planning is the convenience it offers family members. No matter how clear your wishes might be or how much time you put in to planning your burial arrangements, the details of the funeral – and the costs associated with them – almost always add a strain on family members during an already overwhelming time.

However, many people aren’t comfortable with funeral pre-plans, which are becoming one of the most popular ways to reduce family strain and cost. In a funeral pre-plan, a decision is made to work with a particular funeral home or cemetery, and you can pay all the costs up front, and at today’s rates. You can be as involved as selecting your own casket, or as detached as simply choosing the right burial plan and setting aside the funds.
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Things to Ask Your Funeral Director

Sunday, September 26th, 2010

Things to Ask Your Funeral DirectorWhether you’re funeral planning for yourself or facing the recent loss of a loved one, you will most likely work with a funeral director to ensure that all the burial and/or cremation arrangements are set. Funeral directors are the professionals who either run a funeral home or are hired by the funeral home to assist with end-of-life arrangements. Larger funeral homes may have more than one director, so that the attention and time you need is available.

Some of the decisions you make together will be the most important and difficult you will ever encounter, so being comfortable with the professional in charge is a good idea. Questions to consider include:

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