Just in time for Halloween we have dug up 17 crazy facts and stories about death.
Do know what Tibetan Sky Burials is or who is planning on resting forever next to Marilyn Monroe?
If not, check out this post...IF YOU DARE! 17 Crazy Facts About Death In Time For Halloween
October 29th, 2014
Just in time for Halloween we have dug up 17 crazy facts and stories about death.
Do know what Tibetan Sky Burials is or who is planning on resting forever next to Marilyn Monroe?
If not, check out this post...IF YOU DARE! Handling the Money When Someone Dies
October 27th, 2014
No matter how much advance funeral planning takes place, the death of a loved one will always leave a paper trail behind. Bank accounts, social security and retirement benefits, life insurance policies, electric and utility bills…all these things have to be taken care of in the weeks and months following your loss.
To help you navigate the process, we’ve complied our most helpful and in-depth articles about what to do with financial accounts when someone dies. (more…) A Life Affirming Quote for the Grieving
October 27th, 2014
What Kind of Day Will You Make
How to Choose a Burial Outfit
October 14th, 2014
Even if an open casket doesn’t figure into your funeral plans, the outfit you decide to bury or cremate a loved one in is an important decision to make. Over time, the clothes will decay or be incinerated in the same way that the body will be, but this loving gesture is one of the last you’ll make regarding the deceased’s physical remains.
Choosing from the Deceased’s Personal Effects
The majority of people choose to have a loved one buried in a favorite outfit or uniform. Military clothes, professional formal wear, Sunday best, or a team jersey are all among the most popular options—and with good reason. Not only will these items already fit the deceased’s body, but they usually carry some kind of personal association. It is often helpful for mourners to think of the deceased moving on in an outfit that brought them joy or comfort during their lifetime. (more…) Should I Attend a Funeral?
October 10th, 2014
For many people, there’s no question of whether or not to attend a funeral. If the deceased was a close friend or relative—or if there was a strong emotional connection—your grief will compel you to attend if only so you can get the closure you seek. For some people, however (particularly when the deceased was an acquaintance or connection rather than a true friend), there may be a question of whether or not you want to attend. In addition to needing to take time off work, you may feel uncomfortable or unwelcome without a direct family invitation.
There are a number of different factors that should go in to the decision-making process. Depending on the nature of your relationship with the deceased and the family, here are a few questions you may want to consider. (more…) Sympathy Gifts for the Loss of a Pet
October 8th, 2014
For many people, the death of a pet is just as emotionally devastating as the loss of a human friend or relative. Pets often serve as companions for decades at a time, and to lose them suddenly can cause deep feelings of regret and grief.
Because society doesn’t view funeral planning for pets the same way it does the death of a person, it’s often more difficult for people to cope with their loss. Support networks may not be as readily available, and it’s rare to get time off from work or access to other bereavement resources. People may become withdrawn or feel isolated because of the lack of sympathy from the outside.
Why Send Funeral Gifts for Animals?
Sympathy gifts for dogs, cats, and other animals are a great way to show a loved one that you recognize their loss—even if you don’t quite understand it. By treating the death of a pet as you would the death of a human friend, you are validating their feelings of grief and providing a lasting memento keepsake. (Like sending funeral flowers or a bereavement gift basket, you can also show your support from a long distance.) (more…) Human Burial in a Pet Cemetery
September 10th, 2014
There’s good news for pet lovers who want to spend eternity by their beloved animals’ side—according to new regulations in the state of New York, it’s now legal for pet cemeteries operating in the state to accept human remains (in cremated form) to be buried alongside deceased pets.
A dispute about the legality of this practice was brought to light several years ago, when New York state officials refused to let (more…) Funeral Etiquette: Funerals and Divorce
September 5th, 2014
Funeral etiquette is complicated even under the most traditional of family circumstances, so when you throw in blended families and issues related to divorce and remarriage, things can quickly become tangled up. Is it acceptable to go to the funeral of an ex-spouse? What about extended family of your ex to whom you remained close? And what happens if you are footing part of the bill for the burial? (more…) Kids and Death: Alternatives to a Funeral
September 2nd, 2014
Not every child is emotionally equipped to attend a funeral, and not every funeral is welcoming to attendees under a certain age. The decision of whether or not to bring kids to a funeral has long been a source of contention within families, and there is no easy answer regarding whether or not it’s acceptable. In almost all cases, it comes down to the child’s age, the child’s relationship to the deceased, and the wishes of the family.
(more…) Using Technology to Connect with the Dead
August 29th, 2014
Before we had YouTube and home video recorders, prior to social media and voice recordings that could be stored online, there were few ways to connect on a personal level with the deceased. You might be able to look through old photos or visit the cemetery to help you in your grief. Personal belongings might also contain memories and—if it hasn’t been too long—may even retain sensory impressions, like the lingering scent of a favorite cologne.
These sorts of tenuous connections to the past are important in the (more…) 
