Archive for the ‘Funeral Planning’ Category

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When Should You Hold the Funeral?

Friday, November 23rd, 2012

When Should You Hold the Funeral?Because few people are ever prepared for the death of a loved one, it’s difficult to time the funeral just right. According to some religious customs (particularly the Jewish faith), the deceased should be buried within three days following death. For others, there might be delays due to autopsy reports, family flying in from out of town, or personal preferences.

Whatever your situation, it can be difficult to decide on a day of the week and a time for a funeral.  Depending on the type of ceremony you plan on having, you may be restricted in your options.

How to Use the Internet to Plan a Funeral

Thursday, November 15th, 2012

How to Use the Internet to Plan a FuneralIf you’re reading this blog post, you already have some idea that the Internet can be a valuable funeral planning tool. Because of the wide availability of information online, and because more and more funeral homes are providing price lists and services via the Internet, you can accomplish everything from comparing prices to ordering caskets without leaving the comfort of your home.

However, as is the case with any purchase you make online, it’s important to do your research and make safe and secure choices. Here are a few tips when planning a funeral using the Internet.

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Making Time for Yourself during Funeral Planning

Tuesday, November 13th, 2012

Making Time for Yourself during Funeral PlanningFuneral planning typically lasts anywhere from three days to two weeks, depending on your religion, your advance planning efforts, and the time (and place) of death. Although funeral homes and medical services have streamlined the way they provide funeral planning options to the public, there is still quite a bit of decision-making and coordination that goes into it, and even the generous end of the timeline can seem like a blur when you’re facing your recent loss.

While everyone grieves differently, it is important to take some time during these funeral planning days to simply unwind—whether that means carving out some time alone or doing an activity you love.

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Who Should Be Involved in Planning a Funeral?

Friday, November 9th, 2012

Who Should Be Involved in Planning a Funeral?Whenever the subject of funeral planning comes up, the topics almost always revolve around the what, where, and how of the process. What did the deceased wish to have done to his or her remains? Where will the funeral and interment be held? How will everything be paid for?

One question often overlooked is who. Who is responsible for planning the funeral? While it might seem like there’s a simple answer to that question (the Executor of the estate or next of kin), there are a lot more complex layers involved—especially if the deceased had a large family.

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How to Say “No” During Funeral Planning

Thursday, November 8th, 2012

How to Say “No” During Funeral PlanningThere are many reasons why you might need to say “no” while planning a funeral. Maybe intrusive family members are making it difficult for you to plan the small, intimate memorial service the deceased asked for. Perhaps you’re feeling pressured to buy larger and more elaborate caskets from the funeral home. It’s possible that you might even need to go against the advice of others to forgo a military funeral or close the funeral to the public.

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Finding Peace with Funeral Planning

Friday, November 2nd, 2012

Finding Peace with Funeral PlanningLoss and death are very personal things, and no one can tell you how the grieving process will affect you as an individual. You might be the type of person to break down, unable to function for the first few weeks as you navigate life alone. You might veer in the opposite direction, clicking into a “get things done” mode until you’re emotionally ready to confront your loss. These are both valid responses—as are any other reactions that fall somewhere in the spectrum between the two.

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What to Do if You are Asked to Be a Pallbearer

Wednesday, October 31st, 2012

What to Do if You are Asked to Be a PallbearerPallbearers are a part of a long-standing funeral tradition in which the casket is carried as part of a memorial service or ceremony to its final place of rest. Once a necessary part of a funeral, pallbearers were responsible for carrying the casket from the church to the graveyard, or even from the home to a graveyard. This could mean quite a distance would have to covered, so strong men were called upon to adopt the role.

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Use the Holidays to Have those Difficult Funeral Planning Discussions

Thursday, October 25th, 2012

Use the Holidays to Have those Difficult Funeral Planning DiscussionsThere are many different ways to approach funeral pre-planning. Some people choose to include a funeral plan when they draw up their will, usually around the time that retirement and estate planning hit their peak (between the 50s and 70s). Others take out funeral insurance at the same time they buy life insurance or other long-term policies. Still others face the prospect of death only after the loss of someone close, when death and all its burdens are fresh in the mind.

There is no “wrong” time to start funeral planning, though most financial experts recommend that you start making decisions sooner rather than later. However, even in the face of this advice and evidence that pre-plans can help save time, money, and quite a bit of heartache, people continue to put off the inevitable.  For more in depth guidance, download our guide “7 Insider Tips You Need to Know Before Funeral Planning”

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Funeral Sermons: A Do-it-Yourself Project?

Friday, October 12th, 2012

Funeral Sermons: A Do-it-Yourself Project?Who you ask to give a funeral sermon is one of the most important decisions you’ll make during the funeral planning process. That’s because so much more than the color of the casket or the types of funeral flowers on display, the sermon provides spiritual and emotional comfort to all those in attendance. Regardless of your religion or views on the afterworld, a moving sermon can help you come to terms with your grief and open you up to others who are in a similar state of shock.

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How to Have a Sea Burial

Tuesday, October 9th, 2012

How to Have a Sea BurialAlthough it might seem like an archaic practice to those accustomed to modern funeral planning, sea burials have long been an acceptable way to dispose of human remains. For some cultures, the act of returning the body to the sea is part of a long-standing relationship with the water and its life-giving properties. For others, it is a military honor bestowed on those who gave their life to service at sea.

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