Archive for February, 2011

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.

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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.

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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.

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Loved to Death

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

Loved to Death

UPDATE!!! We made it to the front page on YahooBuzz and Delicious and have gotten over 101,000 views from StumbleUpon! Thanks for helping us go viral!

Love or hate Valentine’s day? Just be thankful that you won’t be sharing it with any of these folks! And if you enjoyed these truly weird facts and stats, please feel free to share using the HTML below but please include a link to us!

What To Do When Someone Dies: Life Insurance

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

What To Do When Someone Dies: Life InsuranceLife insurance is one of those things that just about everyone considers within their lifetime; leaving our family and dependents with enough money to get by is not only a smart financial move, but an act of love, as well. However, like any type of financial investment, life insurance is rarely straightforward, and in the event of death, there may be additional hoops that must be jumped through before all the funds are released.

As you face the first few days after the death of a loved one, you’ll want to gather up the necessary paperwork and prepare to talk to the right authorities—including insurance agents, the Executor of the Estate (when needed), and possibly even your attorney.

Commonly Asked Insurance Questions

When a loved one dies, who do I contact about the life insurance policy?

The agent who sold the policy is typically the first point of contact. This individual should have a record of all the transactions included with the life insurance policy, including what the payout will be and who the beneficiary is. Assuming there are no further complications, a proof of death (i.e., a death certificate) and proof of your position is all that is needed to release the funds to the proper channels.

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What To Do When Someone Dies: Stocks and Investments

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

What To Do When Someone Dies: Stocks and InvestmentsOne of the types of financial property that commonly passes from one person to another when a death occurs are stocks, bonds, and other kinds of money market investments. The good news about this kind of property is that it is almost always done by the type of individual who put time and effort into financial planning, estate planning, and other long-term objectives. This means there is a good likelihood a will is in place and steps have been taken to smooth the way for beneficiaries to gain control.

However, because death can be so sudden and unexpected, this isn’t always the case. As in any situation in which the deceased leaves behind an estate that must go through probate, there are certain steps required before all the funds can be released. If your loved one had a stock portfolio or worked with a financial advisor to create long-term investment plans, you may want to be sure of your rights and responsibilities regarding what to do about stocks and investments when a loved one dies.

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