Archive for the ‘After Death’ Category

How to Have a Headstone Replaced

Tuesday, May 24th, 2016
How to Have a Headstone Replaced

How to Have a Headstone Replaced

There are dozens of reasons why a headstone (or grave marker) might have to be replaced or updated. Over time, wear and tear can break down the integrity of the stone—especially in areas with extreme weather. An error might have been made in the spelling of a name or date of birth. A shared plot often leaves room for an additional name in the future, but the spouse may change his or her mind about burial plans. You might also wish to upgrade a smaller headstone into something more elaborate as your financial situation improves. (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…)

How to Start a Memorial Scholarship Fund

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016
How to Start a Memorial Scholarship Fund

How to Start a Memorial Scholarship Fund

When a loved one passes away, we often want to find something that honors their memory in a big way—and a scholarship fund is a good platform for doing just that. By providing a foundation for someone’s education, you are giving a gift that lasts an entire lifetime. And by making it part of a loved one’s legacy (by including their name on the scholarship or earmarking the funds for a field of study they were passionate about), you can ensure that their memory lives on in an important way. (more…)

What to Do When a Loved One Dies of an Infectious Disease

Wednesday, April 27th, 2016
What to Do When a Loved One Dies of an Infectious Disease

What to Do When a Loved One Dies of an Infectious Disease

The death of a loved one is almost always a traumatic experience, but when death was caused by an infectious disease, it can become even more upsetting. Any time you are talking about an illness that has the potential to spread to other people (even after death occurs), you are probably going to have to deal with fear and revulsion from the community – and sometimes, even from funeral providers. (more…)

Do You Have to Disclose a Recent Death when Selling a House?

Tuesday, March 15th, 2016
Do You Have to Disclose a Recent Death when Selling a House?

Do You Have to Disclose a Recent Death when Selling a House?

When a parent or loved one dies, their home is often one of the first items to be put on the market. Because a house is considered part of their estate, the sale of the house can be used to help pay for the funeral, settle debts, and serve as an inheritance for the family left behind. (more…)

Funeral Flower Crafts

Wednesday, February 17th, 2016
Funeral Flower Crafts

Funeral Flower Crafts

After the funeral has come to an end and all the out-of-town guests have departed, you may find yourself facing an abundance of leftovers. From too many cakes and casseroles to vases full of funeral flowers, there tends to be quite a bit of overflow after the death of a loved one. (more…)

How to Write a Funeral Absence Letter

Tuesday, February 16th, 2016
How to Write a Funeral Absence Letter

How to Write a Funeral Absence Letter

When a death occurs in your family, you may be required to notify your place of business or school that you will need a leave of absence for bereavement purposes. Although many companies have policies in place for bereavement leave, not all of them do, and you may or may not be granted the time off depending on how you craft your request. (more…)

Gravestone Decorating Ideas

Monday, February 1st, 2016

Gravestone Decorating IdeasOne of the reasons we have cemeteries and headstones as a culture is because of how important it is to have a physical place to grieve. Regardless of your beliefs about the afterlife, being able to make a connection to a grave, a physical location, or a columbarium niche is part of the grieving process. You can talk with your loved one, reflect on your loss, and decorate the spot—all of which help you to heal and move through your grief. (more…)

When is the Best Time to Scatter Ashes?

Thursday, January 28th, 2016

When is the Best Time to Scatter Ashes?One of the primary benefits of cremation is that you don’t have to hold a memorial service right away. With cremated remains, you can take days, weeks, months, or even years to get everyone together to hold a scattering ceremony. This kind of flexibility is important in our modern society, when families are spread out over the globe and can’t always rearrange their plans to travel to a funeral. (more…)

What to Do the Day After a Funeral

Monday, January 25th, 2016

What to Do the Day After a FuneralSo much of planning a funeral has to do with the making burial preparations, reaching out to friends and family members, and finding ways to cope with your recent loss. And like many major life events and holidays, there is a kind of anticipation that goes into this planning process. Even though you may be feeling completely brokenhearted right now, the need to make decisions and put affairs in order provide a kind of foundation for getting through each day. (more…)