One of the first decisions you will have to make when planning a burial is what kind of casket you want. Ranging from base models of a few hundred dollars to elaborate burial vessels with a price tag well in the $12,000 range, it is good to know what you want and expect out of your casket ahead of time. That way, you will not be overwhelmed by decisions or surprised when the final bill arrives. (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘casket’
Funeral Flower Colors and Their Meanings
Tuesday, July 19th, 2016Although there tend to be rules regarding the color of your funeral attire (dark is best, with black, gray, and navy blue taking the lead), funeral flowers are more relaxed in terms of color choice. As long as you keep the arrangement tactful, you can send any other combination of colors you choose—and to put more thoughtfulness in your sympathy gift, you can even consider these popular flower colors and their meanings. (more…)
How Much is Too Much to Spend on a Funeral?
Tuesday, May 31st, 2016When it comes to giving your loved one a fitting farewell, you might be tempted to say that no amount of money is too much to spend on the perfect funeral. After all, funeral planning is something you only get to do for somebody once, and after the decisions have been put into action, there is no turning back. (more…)
“Extras” You Can Easily Cut from the Funeral
Monday, April 25th, 2016One of the fastest ways to save money on a funeral is to trim away extra services and products you do not need. Today’s funerals tend to be elaborate, traditional affairs that take every detail and consideration into account—which is great if the deceased had the foresight to plan ahead, but can be difficult to justify if the funeral expenses are coming out of your own pocket. (more…)
Funeral Flower Terminology
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2016Sending sympathy flowers to a family in mourning is a great way to show your support and contribute to the funeral arrangements. However, it can be difficult to know what kind of funeral flowers to send or what each type of bouquet entails. (more…)
How Much Does a Green Funeral Cost?
Monday, November 9th, 2015One of the biggest trends in funeral planning right now is the “green funeral.” Green funerals (interment options that are ecologically friendly and reduce an individual’s carbon footprint) appeal to people for many different reasons. The obvious reason—that it’s important to preserve the Earth for future generations—is one that most people cite.
However, green funerals also have the advantage of offering affordable funeral options to replace traditional burial. Because you’re avoiding many of the more costly steps of planning a funeral (a hardwood or metal casket, a vault in the ground, embalming, etc.), having a green funeral means you can not only save the planet, but save money, as well.
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Coffin and Casket Furniture
Thursday, April 30th, 2015For some people, using a coffin or coffin-shaped item for anything except burial is disrespectful for the deceased. After all, death is no laughing matter, and to make sport of other people’s grief can be a slap in the face during an already difficult time.
However, for other people, turning caskets and coffins into everyday items is a kind of art form. By normalizing death and the accoutrements of burial, they are not only making a statement, but also helping people to come to terms with the idea that we will all eventually move on.
What is the Difference between a Casket and a Coffin?
Saturday, February 28th, 2015Outside the funeral industry, the terms “casket” and “coffin” are often used interchangeably to describe the vessel in which the deceased is placed before being buried in the ground. Most people recognize both words, and are comfortable using both in situations related to death and burial.
In reality, a casket and a coffin are not the same things. A coffin (a term that has been around since the 1500s) is the traditional burial box we associate with death. Shaped to fit the human body (with six or eight sides, wider at the top for the arms and torso), a coffin is designed to be built fairly cheaply and with a minimum amount ofmaterials. Because many people in history built their own coffins, or hired a coffin maker to do it, the emphasis was on practical burial that didn’t put a strain on family finances. Coffins are almost always made of wood instead of more valuable metals.
Top Ten Items to Place in a Casket
Tuesday, December 30th, 2014For as long as people have held burials, they have been placing items into the grave to accompany the deceased on their final journey. Coins over the eyes to gain passage across the River Styx, the elaborate tombs of the kings and queens of Egypt, earthenware pots that showcase a simpler life—humans are no strangers to wanting to provide the deceased’s remains with the comforts they enjoyed in life. (more…)