Posts Tagged ‘Funeral Planning’

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What to Expect from a Traditional Catholic Funeral

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

What to Expect from a Traditional Catholic FuneralCatholic funerals are some of the most ornate in terms of tradition, regulation, and procedure. Although the church has loosened some of its rules in recent years (and most will allow burial alternatives like cremation), you can still expect there to be a standard format that you and your family will be expected to follow. In exchange for adhering to these rules, you get the comfort of time-honored traditions and funeral services run through the church itself.

Catholic Funeral Rites

Catholic funeral rites are designed to celebrate life, death, and the belief in resurrection. To this end, a funeral Mass is performed as a way to highlight both the loss of your loved one and the resurrection of Christ.

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What are Cremation Societies?

Thursday, November 29th, 2012

What are Cremation Societies?If you’ve chosen cremation as your preferred funeral planning method, or if you’re simply gathering information on the burial options available to you, you’ll probably encounter the term “cremation society.” This term is loosely defined as an organization that provides specialty cremation services as part of a funeral pre-plan package.

There are currently several cremation societies in operation in the United States—both national organizations and smaller, local organizations licensed to operate in individual states . For a fairly small membership fee (usually around $100 per person), you are granted access to cremation services through that organization and/or their partners. Benefits to membership may include:

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What to Expect the Day of a Funeral

Tuesday, November 27th, 2012

What to Expect the Day of a FuneralWith all the preparation and hard work that goes in to planning a funeral, many people find that they are emotionally drained and exhausted by the time the day of the actual memorial service takes place. By knowing what’s expected of you and how you can equip yourself to get through it, you can take more time to grieve and take part in the proceedings.

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Should You Pre-Plan Your Funeral through Your Current Insurance Provider?

Wednesday, November 21st, 2012

Should You Pre-Plan Your Funeral through Your Current Insurance Provider?If you’re getting ready to pre-plan your funeral, you’ll soon discover that there are many different kinds of providers and services out there. These days, you can choose from specialty businesses that only sell funeral pre-package plans, cemeteries and funeral homes, and insurance companies for all your pre-plan needs. To make matters even more complicated, the benefits themselves vary from insurance payouts upon death to entire funerals planned down to the last minute.

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How to Use the Internet to Plan a Funeral

Thursday, November 15th, 2012

How to Use the Internet to Plan a FuneralIf you’re reading this blog post, you already have some idea that the Internet can be a valuable funeral planning tool. Because of the wide availability of information online, and because more and more funeral homes are providing price lists and services via the Internet, you can accomplish everything from comparing prices to ordering caskets without leaving the comfort of your home.

However, as is the case with any purchase you make online, it’s important to do your research and make safe and secure choices. Here are a few tips when planning a funeral using the Internet.

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Making Time for Yourself during Funeral Planning

Tuesday, November 13th, 2012

Making Time for Yourself during Funeral PlanningFuneral planning typically lasts anywhere from three days to two weeks, depending on your religion, your advance planning efforts, and the time (and place) of death. Although funeral homes and medical services have streamlined the way they provide funeral planning options to the public, there is still quite a bit of decision-making and coordination that goes into it, and even the generous end of the timeline can seem like a blur when you’re facing your recent loss.

While everyone grieves differently, it is important to take some time during these funeral planning days to simply unwind—whether that means carving out some time alone or doing an activity you love.

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Who Should Be Involved in Planning a Funeral?

Friday, November 9th, 2012

Who Should Be Involved in Planning a Funeral?Whenever the subject of funeral planning comes up, the topics almost always revolve around the what, where, and how of the process. What did the deceased wish to have done to his or her remains? Where will the funeral and interment be held? How will everything be paid for?

One question often overlooked is who. Who is responsible for planning the funeral? While it might seem like there’s a simple answer to that question (the Executor of the estate or next of kin), there are a lot more complex layers involved—especially if the deceased had a large family.

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Finding Peace with Funeral Planning

Friday, November 2nd, 2012

Finding Peace with Funeral PlanningLoss and death are very personal things, and no one can tell you how the grieving process will affect you as an individual. You might be the type of person to break down, unable to function for the first few weeks as you navigate life alone. You might veer in the opposite direction, clicking into a “get things done” mode until you’re emotionally ready to confront your loss. These are both valid responses—as are any other reactions that fall somewhere in the spectrum between the two.

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Use the Holidays to Have those Difficult Funeral Planning Discussions

Thursday, October 25th, 2012

Use the Holidays to Have those Difficult Funeral Planning DiscussionsThere are many different ways to approach funeral pre-planning. Some people choose to include a funeral plan when they draw up their will, usually around the time that retirement and estate planning hit their peak (between the 50s and 70s). Others take out funeral insurance at the same time they buy life insurance or other long-term policies. Still others face the prospect of death only after the loss of someone close, when death and all its burdens are fresh in the mind.

There is no “wrong” time to start funeral planning, though most financial experts recommend that you start making decisions sooner rather than later. However, even in the face of this advice and evidence that pre-plans can help save time, money, and quite a bit of heartache, people continue to put off the inevitable.  For more in depth guidance, download our guide “7 Insider Tips You Need to Know Before Funeral Planning”

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Funeral Sermons: A Do-it-Yourself Project?

Friday, October 12th, 2012

Funeral Sermons: A Do-it-Yourself Project?Who you ask to give a funeral sermon is one of the most important decisions you’ll make during the funeral planning process. That’s because so much more than the color of the casket or the types of funeral flowers on display, the sermon provides spiritual and emotional comfort to all those in attendance. Regardless of your religion or views on the afterworld, a moving sermon can help you come to terms with your grief and open you up to others who are in a similar state of shock.

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