Although every death is different, most people can expect a fairly standard series of events to follow the passing of a loved one. There are decisions to be made, a funeral to be planned, and finances to arrange. Friends and relatives must be notified, and you’ll need an opportunity to say your final goodbyes. (more…)
Archive for the ‘Funeral Homes’ Category
The Funeral Planning Timeline: What Happens (and When) after a Death Occurs
Sunday, September 15th, 2019Therapy Animals and Grief
Sunday, April 14th, 2019Anyone who has ever owned a pet can tell you exactly why a dog, cat, or other companion can help with your grief. If they are scientifically minded, they might cite actual evidence. They can point to things like the release of oxytocin (the bonding hormone) and dopamine when petting or even just making eye contact with a pet, or they might tell you about the reduction of cortisol (the stress hormone) when interacting with a furry friend. Or they may prefer a personal approach, and simply bring their pet and let you see for yourself how a few puppy kisses and a purring cat on your lap make all the difference. (more…)
How to Write a Thank You Note to a Funeral Home
Tuesday, March 13th, 2018When you are coping with the loss of a loved one, some of the most important support you will get does not come from friends or family – it comes from the funeral home staff. These professionals are educated and trained to help you make burial decisions, plan a funeral, and access the support services you need as you move forward with your life. The staff is available to listen when you need it, and often provide around-the-clock answers to all your questions. (more…)
Why Do Funeral Homes Close?
Wednesday, June 15th, 2016If 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…)
The Funeral Home Staff
Tuesday, April 5th, 2016When 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, 2016One 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 Two: How and Where to Purchase Burial Insurance
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015Once you’ve decided that you’d like to purchase a burial or funeral insurance policy as part of your final plans, the real challenge comes into play. There are countless burial insurance providers out there (which range from funeral homes to traditional insurance companies), and you have options when it comes to choosing the right one. (more…)
Burial Insurance, Part One: Introduction to Burial Insurance
Monday, November 30th, 2015Funeral insurance, burial insurance, final expense insurance, preneed funeral insurance—these terms are often used interchangeably to talk about the same thing. With any of these types of insurance, money is paid out to a beneficiary to cover part or all of your funeral costs, including everything from traditional burial to cremation.
Unlike other types of insurance, which are designed around a “what-if” scenario (what if I crash my car, what if I need to go to the doctor, what if my home catches on fire), burial insurance is a guaranteed pay out. As long as you keep current on your premiums or pay the amount required up front, this money will be available upon your eventual death. (more…)
Holding a Funeral by Invitation Only
Monday, July 6th, 2015It’s not uncommon for a family to wish to take their grief out of the public eye and hold a private mourning ceremony just for close friends and relatives. Whether the deceased was a public figure, died a newsworthy death, or simply wished for the funeral to be kept small, you can hold a funeral or memorial service by invitation only. Most of the funeral plans will stay the same, with one or two notable exceptions.
Obituary: You’ll need to strategize the obituary to make it clear that the funeral is open by invite only. One option is to skip the obituary and death notice altogether. By not publicly announcing the death, you won’t need to worry about those who aren’t invited stopping by. You can also put in an obituary but word it carefully. You can mention that it will be a “closed funeral” and ask for prayers instead of flowers or visits. (more…)