Posts Tagged ‘Funeral Planning’

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Cremation and the Law

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

Cremation and the LawWhen it comes to funeral planning, burials, and cremation, there are quite a few different considerations that come into play. In addition to the wishes of the deceased, there are legal and ethical issues that will impact how and where you are laid to rest. This is one great reason for taking advantage of everything that the funeral pre-plan industry has to offer, since you can ensure that your wishes match local laws before death occurs.

This is especially true if you are choosing to be cremated. Because so many people (your relatives included) might have strong feelings about cremation, it is best to lay out your wishes in advance. The best way to do this is to pre-plan your funeral and pay for the cremation in advance; other options include clearly stating your wishes in a will or end-of-life directive.

(more…)

Funeral Planning Warnings

Friday, March 4th, 2011

Funeral Planning WarningsFuneral planning – whether it’s done as a funeral pre-plan or soon after losing a loved one – is never an easy thing to undertake. In addition to the grief associated with death, there are a number of difficult decisions to make, many of which come with a heavy price tag or other ramifications.

That’s why funeral planning companies that take advantage of consumers are some of the worst organizations out there. Capitalizing on someone else’s grief (and oftentimes to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars) is a horrible crime. And while there are national organizations out there helping to maintain a level of ethics when it comes to funeral plans, every consumer has to be on the lookout for possible scams or that always difficult fine print.

(more…)

Choosing a Funeral Florist

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

Choosing a Funeral FloristOne big component of traditional funeral planning is finding a reputable florist that can provide all the funeral flowers for the memorial service and burial. Flowers add an elegant touch to almost any funeral, providing a way to incorporate color, meaning, and memories to the proceedings. Finding a florist prepared to meet all your needs while still honoring your family during this difficult time is important in keeping things running smoothly.

Although many people are opting out of traditional flower arrangements in favor of green funerals and as a way to put more money into a favorite charity or even the funeral itself, flowers remain an integral part of the mourning process for many families. If you’re in the market for funeral flowers, you may want to consider a few key tips.

(more…)

Catholic Funerals

Friday, February 25th, 2011

Catholic FuneralsWhen you’re planning a funeral, it is important to adhere to the religious beliefs that sustained the deceased during his or her lifetime. Not only does this honor the life of the deceased, but it often brings great comfort to those he or she left behind, as well.

One of the most well-known types of burial arrangements belongs to those of the Catholic faith. Catholics believe that in addition to grieving during a funeral, it’s also a time of rejoicing for the passing of the deceased into eternal life. Depending on how traditional the deceased’s beliefs and the church he or she attended, a Catholic funeral can be a long and somber event or a more lighthearted affair.

(more…)

Military Funerals

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

Military FuneralsIf you are planning a funeral either in advance or soon after the death of a family member, you may want to consider military funeral benefits. In some cases, you can receive financial assistance in covering funeral costs; in others, you may receive ceremonial privileges that will allow you to send your loved one off with the honor and respect achieved over a lifetime of hard work and devotion.

The traditional components of a military funeral—including the playing of Taps, a gunshot salute, a drumming corp, a flag ceremony, or even a procession of guards—range from simple to ostentatious, depending on the contributions of the individual to our country and how he or she wished to be honored in death.

(more…)

Jewish Funerals

Friday, February 18th, 2011

Jewish FuneralsModern Jewish funerals follow in a long line of traditions and practices that have been around for centuries. Depending on the wishes of the deceased and the family he or she leaves behind, a Jewish funeral can be highly traditional or follow a more modern format. If you are funeral planning for a loved one, it’s important to talk with his or her religious advisors and other members of the family to determine how strongly you wish to adhere to traditional Jewish rites.

The Role of the Synagogue

The first person to contact in the event of a death in the family is typically the rabbi or synagogue leader, who will become your guide to the funeral planning process. Unlike other religious funerals, which typically go first through a funeral home, the Jewish custom requires certain key steps. Having a rabbi or other religious official at your side means that you can navigate these steps and the death care industry in your city that much better.

(more…)

What To Do When Someone Dies: Social Security and Other Government Organizations

Friday, January 28th, 2011

What To Do When Someone Dies: Social Security and Other Government OrganizationsMany times, the death of a loved one occurs when he or she has reached an advanced age—an age at which Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are part of the financial structure of his or her estate. As part of the funeral planning and estate dissolution process, you will need to notify the proper authorities. In some cases, you might also be eligible for benefits and other services that can provide support during this difficult time.

Social Security

It is your responsibility to ensure that Social Security is notified as soon as possible after a loved one dies. In many cases, the funeral director will either alert you to this fact or offer to contact Social Security on your behalf…you will simply need to give permission and ensure that the director has the correct social security number to make the report.

It can take a few weeks or even months before the death is processed with Social Security, so if you get checks or direct deposits, be sure not to touch the money, as you will be required to give them back.

(more…)

What To Do When Someone Dies: Debts and Bills

Friday, January 14th, 2011

What To Do When Someone Dies: Debts and BillsFew people die with every bit of their financial affairs in order – even if they left a will or went through substantial funeral pre-planning. That’s because most Americans live on a delicate balance of money coming in, money going out, and money being moved to savings or insurance accounts. And when a loved one passes away, this balance doesn’t go with them. It is up to the dependents and beneficiaries to navigate the many different bills and debts left behind.

Before you pull out your checkbook or start panicking about how you’re going to cover all the immediate expenses, it’s important to learn your rights and responsibilities about paying bills when a loved one dies.

(more…)

Pre-Need Funeral Planning: Where to Start

Tuesday, December 28th, 2010

Pre-Need Funeral Planning: Where to StartThe thought of spending time on funeral planning is not generally a fun one, but by taking the opportunity to engage in what is known as “pre-need funeral planning,” you can take a significant burden off of your loved ones when the time comes. In addition, you have the reassurance of knowing that things will be done the way you want them done. Your funeral plans can be as general as you like, basically paying in advance for a casket and cemetery plot; or you can work out the smallest details such as what funeral flowers and musical arrangements you would like at the service.

A list of what is involved in funeral planning can provide a good place to start own. Most people are completely surprised at the number of details that go into planning a funeral. The vast number of questions to be answered can completely overwhelmed family members who are simultaneously dealing with the loss of a loved one. This is another reason that pre-need funeral planning is so helpful.

(more…)

Save Money with a Green Funeral

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

Save Money with a Green FuneralIf you’re a fan of recycling, turning down the thermostat, and otherwise doing your part for the environment, then you may have already considered a green funeral in your funeral planning process. If you simply like to save money, however, you might also want to pay attention to this newer option in funeral arrangements.

What is Involved in a Green Funeral?

Those opting for a green funeral will generally avoid being embalmed, a service that does come with a price tag that will often range from $100 to $700. One of the most expensive aspects when adding up the cost of a funeral is the price of the casket. These items can be extremely elaborate with a price to match. In the case of a green funeral, however, the remains are usually placed into a biodegradable container. This could be a cardboard box, a simple shroud, or even a plain wooden casket.

(more…)

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »