Green funerals are an increasingly popular choice for funeral planning in the modern age. Not only can you say goodbye to your loved ones in a way that doesn’t put a strain on the environment, but eco-friendly burial options also allow you to save up to thousands of dollars on traditional casket materials.
“Green” caskets, or coffins made from earth-friendly, biodegradable materials, serve the same function as metal caskets, but with a faster decomposition time. Since there is no way to halt the natural progress of a body’s decay (you can only delay it), green burial options skip many of the unnecessary steps and costs associated with a funeral and allow you to put your focus where it really belongs—on your loved ones.
(more…) Green Burial Casket Options
January 27th, 2013Green funerals are an increasingly popular choice for funeral planning in the modern age. Not only can you say goodbye to your loved ones in a way that doesn’t put a strain on the environment, but eco-friendly burial options also allow you to save up to thousands of dollars on traditional casket materials.
“Green” caskets, or coffins made from earth-friendly, biodegradable materials, serve the same function as metal caskets, but with a faster decomposition time. Since there is no way to halt the natural progress of a body’s decay (you can only delay it), green burial options skip many of the unnecessary steps and costs associated with a funeral and allow you to put your focus where it really belongs—on your loved ones.
(more…) Who is Responsible for Burial Costs When a Loved One Dies?
January 25th, 2013
If an individual passes away without any advance funeral planning in place, it can be difficult to know who is responsible for funeral costs. Few people can afford to foot the bill for a funeral all by themselves, and in a situation that’s already filled with tension, it can put a strain on the family to determine who should play the primary financial role.
To further complicate matters, every state has its own regulations regarding fiscal responsibility. While most states adhere to similar laws, you may have to talk with a local attorney to get specific information for your situation.
(more…) Traditional Burial Alternative: Turn Your Ashes into a Vinyl Record?
January 23rd, 2013
For some people, traditional funeral planning just isn’t enough. The rituals surrounding burial and cremation have been around for so many hundreds of years that it’s almost impossible to make your funeral stand out from the crowd as something unique and special. That’s why some companies take the process of body disposal to a new level—even so far as turning you into a vinyl record.
(more…) New York Pet Cemetery is the Oldest in the World
January 17th, 2013
Pet cemeteries are an important part of the grieving process for many individuals who have lost a beloved pet. While most pet funeral plans include a backyard service or a call to the local animal shelter to handle the remains, it’s becoming increasingly more common for individuals to opt for a formal service (ranging from pet cremation to traditional burial).
This practice is nothing new in the United States—in fact, the oldest pet cemetery in the world can be found in Hartsdale, New York. The Hartsdale Pet Cemetery facility, established in 1896, is currently the final resting place for tens of thousands of animals, and continues to provide a burial place for pets even today.
(more…) What to Expect from a Traditional Catholic Funeral
December 5th, 2012
Catholic funerals are some of the most ornate in terms of tradition, regulation, and procedure. Although the church has loosened some of its rules in recent years (and most will allow burial alternatives like cremation), you can still expect there to be a standard format that you and your family will be expected to follow. In exchange for adhering to these rules, you get the comfort of time-honored traditions and funeral services run through the church itself.
Catholic Funeral Rites
Catholic funeral rites are designed to celebrate life, death, and the belief in resurrection. To this end, a funeral Mass is performed as a way to highlight both the loss of your loved one and the resurrection of Christ.
(more…) Is it Okay to Take Photos at a Funeral?
December 3rd, 2012
In the modern age, funeral etiquette can sometimes be a difficult thing to uphold. While whipping out a camera and taking photographs at a funeral might once have been something no one would dare to do, the increase of portable technology (especially high-quality camera phones) means that just about everyone is five seconds away from a photo opportunity.
However, this is one of those instances in which just because we can do something, doesn’t necessarily mean that we should. Depending on family preferences and the nature of the funeral, it might be better to keep that camera under wraps unless you have permission from the family to capture the big day.
(more…) What are Cremation Societies?
November 29th, 2012
If you’ve chosen cremation as your preferred funeral planning method, or if you’re simply gathering information on the burial options available to you, you’ll probably encounter the term “cremation society.” This term is loosely defined as an organization that provides specialty cremation services as part of a funeral pre-plan package.
There are currently several cremation societies in operation in the United States—both national organizations and smaller, local organizations licensed to operate in individual states . For a fairly small membership fee (usually around $100 per person), you are granted access to cremation services through that organization and/or their partners. Benefits to membership may include:
(more…) What to Expect the Day of a Funeral
November 27th, 2012
With all the preparation and hard work that goes in to planning a funeral, many people find that they are emotionally drained and exhausted by the time the day of the actual memorial service takes place. By knowing what’s expected of you and how you can equip yourself to get through it, you can take more time to grieve and take part in the proceedings.
(more…) When Should You Hold the Funeral?
November 23rd, 2012
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.
Should You Pre-Plan Your Funeral through Your Current Insurance Provider?
November 21st, 2012
If you’re getting ready to pre-plan your funeral, you’ll soon discover that there are many different kinds of providers and services out there. These days, you can choose from specialty businesses that only sell funeral pre-package plans, cemeteries and funeral homes, and insurance companies for all your pre-plan needs. To make matters even more complicated, the benefits themselves vary from insurance payouts upon death to entire funerals planned down to the last minute.
(more…) 
