Knowing what to wear to a funeral can be an added stress when you’re already grieving the loss of a loved one—especially if you don’t have the time or money to shop for a new outfit. For a quick and easy look at funeral attire tips, we’ve outlined some of the biggest dos and don’ts. (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘funeral service’
Funeral Attire Dos and Don’ts
Thursday, January 21st, 2016Top Ten Funeral Songs
Wednesday, June 24th, 2015
Top 10 funeral songs
In times of heartbreak, music has a way of saying what words cannot. Although planning a funeral doesn’t have to include a musical component, many families opt to have songs played during the memorial service, as guests arrive and depart, or when the casket is lowered. From popular ballads to hymns, music allows guests to tap into their emotions and connect with the deceased.
While many families choose songs that meant something specific to the deceased, others turn to familiar comforts that all guests can identify with. Here are ten of the more popular funeral songs.
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Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Although there are dozens of good versions of this song, one of the most popular is that by Israel “Iz” Kamakawiwoʻole. (more…)
Funeral Etiquette for Thank You Notes
Wednesday, March 26th, 2014
The loss of a loved one and the planning of an entire funeral from start to finish is an exhausting affair. It’s not uncommon for those undergoing bereavement to feel both physically and mentally exhausted, and emotions can run through a course of highs and lows in a matter of minutes. Among all the chaos of guests arriving from out of town and navigating the financial side effects of death, it can seem impossible to find time to write funeral thank you notes.
Funeral etiquette dictates that the family of the deceased send out thank you cards in the days and weeks following the funeral. Fortunately, this isn’t the time-consuming, tedious task it sounds like. Not only can you purchase pre-prepared thank you cards and send them out, but you can recruit the help of others and make it a chance to bond and share your grief.
The Truth about Embalming
Tuesday, February 5th, 2013
When funeral planning, embalming is typically introduced as a way to preserve the dignity and appearance of the deceased in the days leading up to the burial. Through the use of various medical techniques, the body is drained of its natural fluids and replaced with chemicals that provide a more “life-like” appearance for the deceased. Although the reasons for embalming vary, it is most common when the family opts for an open casket ceremony.
Planning a Long-Distance Funeral
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012
Although it’s not an ideal situation, there are cases in which a loved one in another location dies, and there is no one living nearby to help with the funeral planning. Because the nature of body disposal requires that most funerals be planned within a week’s time, it can be difficult to make all the necessary arrangements from another city or even another state.
Working with Hospice to Plan a Funeral
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012
Most people associate hospice with issues related to end-of-life care, not funeral planning. After all, hospice is supposed to be about coping with terminal illness as a family and enjoying whatever time is left together.
However, because hospice exists to make the transition to death easier, it’s actually quite common for organizations to offer support and resources for funeral planning. The better prepared you are for the aftermath of death—including the social, emotional, spiritual, and financial ramifications—the easier it is to say your goodbyes while you still have time.
Should You Have a Memorial Service Instead of a Funeral?
Monday, April 23rd, 2012
Most people use the terms memorial service and funeral interchangeably—and with good reason. During the funeral planning stages, the differences between the two often become blurred, and your focus is on your grief rather than the semantics of the funeral industry. For more in depth guidance, download our guide, “7 Insider Tips You Need to Know Before Funeral Planning.”
However, if you’re looking to save money on funeral costs, or if you are hoping to understand more about funeral planning (especially if you’re opting for a funeral pre-plan package), it’s a good idea to know what the differences are and how they can affect your decision-making process.
How to Choose a Funeral Service Provider
Saturday, April 21st, 2012
There are no laws in the United States that require you to choose a funeral home for all your funeral planning needs. Technically, you could coordinate the entire interment on your own (or under the guidance of a licensed provider), as long as you adhere to all the legal requirements in your county and fill out all the appropriate paperwork that accompanies death. For more in depth guidance, download our guide “7 Insider Tips You Need to Know Before Funeral Planning”
Eulogy Ideas
Thursday, April 19th, 2012
If you have recently lost a loved one or are planning a funeral for the first time, you might be intimidated at the prospect of writing a eulogy or giving a funeral speech. After all, this is your one chance to let everyone know in words just how important the deceased was to you and how he or she affected your life.
Maintaining Privacy at a Funeral
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012
Funeral planning can be stressful under the best of circumstances. Any family conflicts, unresolved arguments, or issues related to privacy that arise tend to make matters much worse than they need to be, often interrupting private grief and taking the focus away from where it should be—celebrating the life of the deceased.
Because death notices tend to be made public, it can be difficult to keep a funeral private and restrict attendance, especially if the deceased was a popular figure in any way. Here are a few tips to keep a funeral a small, intimate affair without hurting the feelings of those who aren’t invited to the funeral.
