Posts Tagged ‘Funeral homes’

Why Do Funeral Homes Close?

Wednesday, June 15th, 2016
Why Do Funeral Homes Close?

Why Do Funeral Homes Close?

If you have ever shopped for a funeral home, you probably noticed that many of them make some mention of how long they have been in the business (and in the community). There is something about an establishment that has been serving the same area for 20, 50, or even 100 years that makes us feel good about giving them our business—especially when it comes to pre-planning a funeral. After all, we want some kind of guarantee that the funeral home will continue to be there when we need their services. (more…)

Can I Transport a Loved One’s Body in my Own Car?

Monday, May 9th, 2016
Can I Transport a Loved One’s Body in my Own Car?

Can I Transport a Loved One’s Body in my Own Car?

When a loved one passes away out of state or in another city, you either have to bury them in that location or make arrangements for the transport of the body. (When you have a pre-planned funeral package in place, moving the body is usually required, since you will need to get your loved one to the funeral home of their choosing.) (more…)

The Funeral Home Staff

Tuesday, April 5th, 2016
The Funeral Home Staff

The Funeral Home Staff

When you plan a funeral for a loved one, chances are you will be in contact with the funeral director and/or the funeral assistant for most of the time. These individuals serve as the point of communication for almost all your burial and cremation needs, making it easy for you to form a personal connection and ensure that you receive the high level of service you deserve. (more…)

What to Do When a Funeral Home Goes out of Business

Monday, April 4th, 2016
What to Do When a Funeral Home Goes out of Business

What to Do When a Funeral Home Goes out of Business

One of the biggest warnings against pre-paying for a funeral is what happens if the funeral home goes out of business. The entire point of pre-arrangement is that you can solidify your funeral plans ahead of time, leaving you worry-free and able to spend your money however you wish. So, the idea that a funeral home might someday terminate services and leave you holding a useless contract is one that may be understandably frightening. (more…)

Burial Insurance, Part Three: Buying Burial Insurance through a Funeral Home

Friday, December 4th, 2015
Burial Insurance, Part Three: Buying Burial Insurance through a Funeral Home

Burial Insurance 3 of 3

There are two primary ways to buy burial insurance. The first operates like any other kind of life insurance policy, in which you name a loved one as the beneficiary who receives the payout when you die. The second option allows you to name a funeral home as the beneficiary, in which case they receive the insurance money directly.

This second option may seem a bit strange—after all, a funeral home isn’t your family, and you haven’t worked hard your whole life so they can receive a payout. However, it’s actually a quite common occurrence, and it can work out in your favor. Here’s how. (more…)

Military Funerals and Burial Assistance for Veterans

Saturday, December 27th, 2014

Military Funerals and Burial Assistance for VeteransWhen you or a loved one serves as part of the United States Armed Services, there are certain death benefits and assistance you become eligible for. Navigating the system can be difficult if you’re reeling from a sudden loss, and there may be certain funds that you have to seek out to receive, so it’s a good idea to look into all your options. Any help you can get during this difficult time is worth considering—especially if your loved one served the country in any capacity. (more…)

How Real-Life Funerals Differ from the Movies

Saturday, February 1st, 2014

How Real-Life Funerals Differ from the Movies

Images of funerals in the movies and on TV often give a skewed vision of what mourning looks like. In many of the on-screen depictions of burial or ash-scattering ceremonies, families appear collected and dignified in their grief. Everyone is dressed in a well-tailored suit of black and holds an umbrella to keep the rain away. Limos and other dark sedans transport everyone to and from the funeral home. Families travel from hundreds of miles away and meet again after years apart.

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What Does a Cremation Oven Look Like?

Monday, December 9th, 2013

What Does a Cremation Oven Look Like?The cremation process is difficult for many people to picture happening to their loved one’s remains. Unlike burial, which gives a feeling of calm quiet and eternal rest, cremation is hot, messy, and oftentimes frightening. You might be afraid that the body won’t be treated with respect, or that the incredibly high temperatures required to break a body down are uncontrolled and dangerous.

While historical cremation practices might hold this to be true, modern-day cremation and cremation ovens are quite safe, sanitary, and practical. The cremation process is regulated so that it becomes more of a scientific breakdown of bodily remains than a blazing inferno, with the result that it is actually more decorous than the slow decay of a body underground.

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From Pink Caskets to Camouflage Casket Liners: Customizing a Loved One’s Burial

Wednesday, November 27th, 2013

From Pink Caskets to Camouflage Casket Liners: Customizing a Loved One’s BurialWhen most people plan a traditional burial during funeral plans, they do it because there is comfort to be found in the familiar. The act of saying goodbye to a loved one is something that everyone goes through at some time or another, spanning generations and cultures and even socioeconomic status. No matter what the circumstances of your loss, knowing others have gone through the same funeral planning steps you have is a good way to put your grief into perspective.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t personalize a funeral. Some of the best traditions are the ones we make ourselves, and customizing burial is easier than ever before thanks to retailers offering more options in casket colors, materials, and details. For example, pink caskets are growing in popularity among female burials (or may even be purchased as part of the breast cancer awareness campaign). Offered in everything from a delicate shell to a more vibrant shade of pink, caskets like these allow you to add a touch of color and whimsy to an otherwise bleak day.

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Jewish Funeral Planning Customs: Chevra Kadisha

Friday, August 23rd, 2013

Jewish Funeral Planning Customs: Chevra KadishaJewish funeral customs are some of the most unique and beautiful traditions in the burial industry. With a focus on a strong sense of community and mourning, these customs range from the strict preparation of the body to mourning habits like sitting shiva (a seven-day mourning period observed by the immediate family of the deceased).

In keeping with these religious rites is the chevra kadisha, a holy society (or organization) composed of individuals who oversee the process of preparing the body of the deceased for burial. Central to the concept of chevra kadisha are showing a proper level of respect for the body and ensuring that the ritual cleansing and dressing of the body is in keeping with Jewish standards.

Why Body Preparation is Important

In today’s funeral industry, body preparation tends to be a fairly invasive process. From autopsies and embalming to the thick layers of makeup put on to hold an open casket ceremony, there can be quite a bit of physical manipulation done to what remains of the person you loved.

In the Jewish tradition of chevra kadisha, this aggressive approach is set aside in favor of a more personalized purification rite. Those who are tasked with the body’s preparation are considered to be doing an incredibly good and selfless deed, as their task is one that is done for reasons of kindness.

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