Archive for March, 2011

Pet Burials and Cremations

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

Pet Burials and CremationsThe loss of a beloved pet is never an easy thing. In our society, we are all expected to mourn and grieve over the death of a human relative or friend, and there are countless services available for the funeral planning process when this occurs. However, when it comes to our pets, there is a bit of a bias against formal burial arrangements. After all, it was just a dog or cat. Shouldn’t you get over it or simply buy a new pet?

Those of us who have adopted a four-legged friend as part of the family know that things are never that simple. Some of these pets have been with us for decades, and many of them have faithfully seen us through the best and worst times of our lives. Saying goodbye to them isn’t easy, and the lack of formal funeral options often makes this difficult task even harder.

Fortunately, the market has seen a need for pet memorial services, and most cities have organizations that can help you plan a funeral for a pet. If you go through animal control or city services, you can either have the body picked up or you can drop it off to be incinerated in a communal process. However, if you want a more formal ceremony, you can also opt for formal pet cremation or even burial.

(more…)

Cremation and the Law

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

Cremation and the LawWhen it comes to funeral planning, burials, and cremation, there are quite a few different considerations that come into play. In addition to the wishes of the deceased, there are legal and ethical issues that will impact how and where you are laid to rest. This is one great reason for taking advantage of everything that the funeral pre-plan industry has to offer, since you can ensure that your wishes match local laws before death occurs.

This is especially true if you are choosing to be cremated. Because so many people (your relatives included) might have strong feelings about cremation, it is best to lay out your wishes in advance. The best way to do this is to pre-plan your funeral and pay for the cremation in advance; other options include clearly stating your wishes in a will or end-of-life directive.

(more…)

Funeral Planning: Custom Caskets

Friday, March 18th, 2011

Funeral Planning: Custom CasketsIf you’re funeral planning for a loved one, you’re going to come across a lot of different choices. Where do you want the memorial service held? What cemetery have you chosen for the interment of the final remains? Burial or cremation? In the most ideal cases, these questions will have already been answered for you via a pre-need funeral plan or the express wishes of the deceased. If not, you will hopefully have the support of other relatives and a funeral director you trust to help you make the right decisions.

If the deceased wished for a traditional burial, you will also need to choose a casket. This is one of the most personal purchases you will make during the funeral planning process, as it will become the final resting place of the deceased. And one way to make it even more personal is to go beyond the traditional options to choose a custom casket for sale.

(more…)

Do-It-Yourself Caskets

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

Do-It-Yourself CasketsOf all the casket options available while you are funeral planning, perhaps one of the most nontraditional is the do-it-yourself casket. With options ranging from full casket kits to blueprint plans that you can download right onto your own computer, caskets can come in literally any shape or size.

While this option certainly isn’t for everyone, you can save money and even work through some grief issues when you build a casket at home.

(more…)

What to Do After the Funeral

Thursday, March 10th, 2011

What to Do After the FuneralOftentimes, we get so caught up in funeral planning we forget about things like all the funeral etiquette and bereavement issues that arise after the fact. No matter how well prepared you are for death, or how many funeral pre-plans are in place, it can be difficult for both you and the other bereaved individuals to navigate the days, weeks, and months following the death of a loved one.

The most important thing to remember is that everyone grieves differently, and there is no wrong or right way to do thing. As long as you keep honor and respect at the forefront of everything you do, you should be able to help those in need—as well as yourself—as you figure out how to continue on in this world without the deceased.

(more…)

Funeral Planning Warnings

Friday, March 4th, 2011

Funeral Planning WarningsFuneral planning – whether it’s done as a funeral pre-plan or soon after losing a loved one – is never an easy thing to undertake. In addition to the grief associated with death, there are a number of difficult decisions to make, many of which come with a heavy price tag or other ramifications.

That’s why funeral planning companies that take advantage of consumers are some of the worst organizations out there. Capitalizing on someone else’s grief (and oftentimes to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars) is a horrible crime. And while there are national organizations out there helping to maintain a level of ethics when it comes to funeral plans, every consumer has to be on the lookout for possible scams or that always difficult fine print.

(more…)

Choosing a Funeral Florist

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

Choosing a Funeral FloristOne big component of traditional funeral planning is finding a reputable florist that can provide all the funeral flowers for the memorial service and burial. Flowers add an elegant touch to almost any funeral, providing a way to incorporate color, meaning, and memories to the proceedings. Finding a florist prepared to meet all your needs while still honoring your family during this difficult time is important in keeping things running smoothly.

Although many people are opting out of traditional flower arrangements in favor of green funerals and as a way to put more money into a favorite charity or even the funeral itself, flowers remain an integral part of the mourning process for many families. If you’re in the market for funeral flowers, you may want to consider a few key tips.

(more…)

Traditional Funerals

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011

Traditional FuneralsThese days, there are as many types of funerals as there are types of people. From funeral planning efforts that include web memorial services to those that might find you placing a loved one’s remains in a container bound for space, you can personalize a funeral to match the personality and beliefs of the deceased.

However, while all these these funeral plan options are great for putting your loved one to rest in the manner he or she would have preferred, there is something to be said for tradition. In fact, one might argue there’s quite a lot to be said for tradition: the majority of U.S. funerals still follow the traditional pattern that has been favored for centuries.

(more…)