When a celebrity or local figure dies, it’s common for those who didn’t know the deceased to share in the mourning process. It doesn’t matter whether you grew up reading the celebrity’s books or if a local firefighter died while battling a huge forest fire – connections with those who have gone before us, whether shared or not, can have a big impact in your life.
However, before you put on your funeral attire and show up at the burial arrangements made in honor of the deceased, there are a few considerations to keep in mind: (more…)
Funeral planning is the family’s opportunity to say goodbye and honor all those things that made the deceased a unique and loved human being. One of the most important steps (and one of the most often overlooked) in this process is to choose the music that will be played at the memorial service.
Funeral music takes on a variety of different roles and functions, depending on the deceased, his or her advanced funeral plans, and the wishes of the family. For example, a primarily religious-based ceremony might be made more complete with a few of the deceased’s favorite hymns played either on an organ/piano or via a CD. A less formal memorial service might have room for a few of the deceased’s favorite rock songs, or even a slide show accompanied by a heartwarming tune. (more…)
For many individuals, funeral planning is about more than preparing the body for burial – it’s about preparing the entire family for the commemoration of a loved one’s life. With this in mind, it’s important to realize that funeral attire plays a big role in the days preceding the funeral as well as at the actual services. Now is not the time to pull out a flashy new wardrobe or show off a recently slimmed down figure; whenever you attend a function related to the funeral (even if it is just a casual meal for making final arrangements), you should always keep respect and tradition in mind.
In almost all cases in which you make financial arrangements during the funeral planning stages, it will be necessary to choose a beneficiary or executor. This will be the individual who spends whatever money you have set aside for the funeral and who is called upon to make decisions regarding products, services, and payment arrangements.
Flowers and floral arrangements are a common tradition respecting the deceased in many different cultures. Offered as bouquets, wreaths, or as part of larger displays, flowers add a touch of beauty and elegance to the setting, and also convey respect for the deceased.
When funeral planning or preparing a gravesite for burial, flowers are likely to play an integral role in the proceedings, and they. However, funeral etiquette dictates that there is more to the process than simply placing a flower or bunch of flowers on a grave and leaving them there. In order to respect the deceased as well other families going through the grieving process, there are a few floral guidelines to consider.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re getting ready for funeral planning, or if you’re in the midst of the sudden death of a loved one – picking the right funeral home can be a difficult choice. From traditional funerals that incorporate religious customs to more modern green funerals, there are many different ways to honor those who have passed, and all of them come with their own benefits and drawbacks.
That’s why making the right decision in planning a funeral is such an important first step. After all, finding the right location will allow you to not only respect the wishes of the deceased, but also to provide a proper outlet for grief for all the family members and friends.
Funerals, even under the best of circumstances, are a frightening experience. When you add in the formal and often austere backdrop of a funeral home and cemetery, the result can be one that is not welcoming to kids.
However, just like adults, children must go through their own process of grief and understanding when it comes to death. And for many children, this means being able to say goodbye and share in the experience of a group of friends and family coming together to celebrate life and honor death. Whether the funeral is in the planning stages or if you’re trying to decide what is appropriate for your family, the following checklist should help you determine if bringing your kids to a funeral is the right choice.
There’s no way around it – funeral planning can be expensive. No one wants to cut corners on the burial arrangements for their loved ones, and it can be hard to think through the cost of a funeral and stay frugal during the grief process. It is important to know, however, that with respect and proper funeral etiquette.
Planning your travel to a funeral can be a stressful and burdensome task; between grieving for the loss of a family member or loved one and alerting others to the service, comparing the best airfare hardly seems like an activity that you want to give your time and energy to. However, there are certain tricks that you can use to not only get the best airfare, but to make traveling to a funeral a smooth and stress-free experience for everyone involved. Use these techniques when it’s time to plan your travel, and you’ll spend less of your precious time playing part-time travel agent and have more time to grieve and remember the life of the deceased.
Unless your loved one was gravely ill for some time, purchasing airfare to attend a funeral can often be quite costly, as funerals are usually held less than a week from the date of death. You can end up paying a lot of money for last-minute airfare tickets – unless, of course, you ask for bereavement airfare discounts. Bereavement airfare is typically available for family members of the deceased who are traveling to a funeral, and can be booked right up until departure time. You won’t be able to secure bereavement airfare through travel websites, so call airlines and ask about their special discounts. You can grab airfare for a discount of up to 50 percent off, with some airlines even offering 75 percent off a full fare. However, if your travels require more than one airline, your bereavement airfare will only be available on the requested flight. Call the other airlines to ensure that you’re being offered discounted airfare.
Many funeral homes offer plenty of services to help grieving family members and friends of a deceased loved with funeral planning – but what about when it comes to finding long-lost friends and relatives for the funeral service? In many cultures, it is a tradition to hold a gathering after a wake or funeral in order to continue the mourning and celebration of a loved one’s life; in fact, several funeral homes even have a large space that’s used specifically for after-service dinners. However, it can be difficult and time-consuming to gather everyone together for the funeral and after-service, so you’ll need as much help as you can muster from both relatives and the staff members of funeral homes.
When a celebrity or local figure dies, it’s common for those who didn’t know the deceased to share in the mourning process. It doesn’t matter whether you grew up reading the celebrity’s books or if a local firefighter died while battling a huge forest fire – connections with those who have gone before us, whether shared or not, can have a big impact in your life.
