The Funeral Planning Timeline: What Happens (and When) after a Death Occurs
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…)
Choosing Above-Ground Burial
For most people, discussing or choosing burial means literally that—burying the remains of a loved one in the ground. Most cemeteries are filled with rows and rows of graves of the dearly departed, all of whom have been laid to rest six feet underground. This is such a common and accepted tradition of laying a loved one to rest that it is rarely questioned as the best—if not the only—burial choice. (more…)
Planning a Non-Denominational Funeral
If you belong to a particular religious or cultural community, there are probably guidelines for planning and holding a funeral. For thousands of years, funeral rites have been tied to religion, which may dictate everything from how many days should pass before you bury the deceased to how the body is disposed of. So, too, may religion guide who oversees the funeral rites, what readings and prayers are said, and even how the community will come together to support the family in the days and weeks that follow. (more…)
How to Write Out Your Funeral Wishes
In an ideal world, you will not only be financially solvent enough to plan (and pay for) your funeral and cemetery plot in advance, but you’ll also be able to leave behind a full will and estate for your loved ones. There will be no question about your last wishes, funeral arrangements or how you want your belongings to be divided. (more…)
Why Wasn’t I Asked to Help Plan the Funeral?
When a loved one dies—whether it is a parent, spouse, child, sibling, grandparent, or a close friend—it is natural to want to participate in the funeral planning process. Your relationship with the deceased was unique and special, and the best way to strengthen that bond is to be in the room where the important burial decisions are being made. (more…)
Who Should Serve as Pallbearer?
If you are holding a traditional funeral and traditional burial, then it is likely that you’ll need pallbearers. These individuals are responsible for lifting and carrying the casket from the funeral to the hearse or burial site. The term “pallbearer” (taken from the pall, or cloth that covers a coffin) is one that carries importance in both historical and modern times. A pallbearer is usually a family member or close friend, someone who is both strong and young, and—more traditionally—someone who is male. (more…)
Losing a Loved One: Should I Hold a Public Viewing?
When a loved one dies, there are many different considerations that go into funeral planning. Cremation or burial? Which cemetery to choose? What kind of casket? Who should oversee the funeral? When should we hold it? (more…)
The Most Common Funeral Planning Mistakes
Planning a funeral—either for yourself or for a loved one—is not a task you tackle every day. In fact, it is the kind of task that most people encounter only a few times, each one fraught with fragile emotions, high tensions, and sweeping life changes that can knock you off your feet. (more…)
Using Art for End-of-Life Planning
Sitting down with your loved ones and having a frank discussion about death, dying, and burial is tough to do. In our culture, we do everything we can to avoid or even deny the realities of death, often leaving all the decision-making and funeral planning until it is too late. And those who do take a more proactive approach to their funeral plans often do so in secret—not sharing any of their arrangements until their families read their wills. (more…)
What is an End-of-Life Doula, and Do I Need One?
Most people associate the word and profession doula with the birthing process. Traditionally, a doula is a non-medical holistic professional who assists women in labor and delivery—providing emotional support, training and education, physical assistance, and services to the family. Not every woman who gives birth uses a doula, but many women who want a more natural birth process prefer to have these professionals at their side rather than more formal (and seemingly impersonal) medical professionals. (more…)
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