When a family goes through the process of funeral planning, a portion of the time is spent selecting a funeral monument. Typically a modest plaque or headstone stating the name, birthdate, and date of passing, these elegant stone monuments are a lasting reminder of those who have come and gone in our lives.
(more…) Famous Funeral Monuments
October 6th, 2012When a family goes through the process of funeral planning, a portion of the time is spent selecting a funeral monument. Typically a modest plaque or headstone stating the name, birthdate, and date of passing, these elegant stone monuments are a lasting reminder of those who have come and gone in our lives.
(more…) Should You Buy Artificial Funeral Flowers?
October 3rd, 2012
Funeral flowers (also known as sympathy flowers) are a common way to show your love and support for the recently deceased. Whether you order a large casket spray for display during a memorial service or a handful of rose petals to shower down on the casket as it is lowered into the ground, flowers are one of the most popular traditions in the funeral industry.
When most of us talk about funeral flowers, however, we mean fresh flowers—an arrangement ordered through a florist in the days preceding the funeral, and for use during the memorial service. Like all fresh flower arrangements, these only last a few days before beginning to wilt. And while there are some great flower preservation options if you want to keep a bouquet or arrangement on display, you also have additional options to look beyond fresh flowers to artificial arrangements.
(more…) Eulogy Etiquette
October 1st, 2012
Most of the funeral etiquette guidelines you’ll come across include tips on how to pick the right sympathy flowers or dress for a memorial service or even what you can do to help the grieving family. And while it is important to have a handle on all these things before you attend a funeral, good manners also include knowing how to be more involved in the funeral—especially if you were close enough to the deceased to provide a eulogy.
(more…) How to Plan a Post Funeral Gathering
September 28th, 2012
Whether your funeral planning efforts resulted in a traditional ceremony and burial, or if you opted for a private cremation scattering, it’s a common practice to invite everyone in attendance to a post-funeral gathering. Also commonly known as the funeral reception, this event provides an opportunity for friends and family members to mourn the deceased (and to celebrate the life he or she had) in a setting that is less formal than a memorial service.
The responsibility for planning the funeral reception typically falls to the immediate family—more specifically, to the same individual who handles the bulk of the funeral plans. If this is too much of a responsibility, however, it might be a good idea to ask for help. Many people come forward to offer their assistance in the aftermath of a loss, and this is a good way to allow them to do their part.
(more…) What are Funeral Concierge Services?
September 26th, 2012
Even with the recent popularity of pre-arranged funerals and so many people taking steps to ensure that funeral costs are covered years in advance, few individuals know exactly how to plan a funeral. The actual details of the process, including things like selecting a casket, comparing funeral homes, negotiating a memorial service time—those can be a real challenge for someone facing this crisis for the first time.
(more…) Gravesite Caretaker Services
September 24th, 2012
One of the most overwhelming and often overlooked aspects of funeral planning is taking care of the gravesite long after the deceased has passed on. Although most cemeteries offer some form of on-site caretaking (such as mowing and weeding, clearing the headstones, and removing unsightly or faded floral displays), this is a service that doesn’t always come standard. And in many cases, their level of care might not meet your expectations.
If you live nearby the cemetery, or if visiting the gravesite is part of your natural healing process, taking care of the headstone might not be that difficult. However, distance, infirmity, time constraints, and even your own emotional hurdles often get in the way—which is when it might be time to consider a gravesite care provider.
(more…) Funeral Planning: Create a List of Contacts and Personal Information
September 21st, 2012
Some of the best (and lowest-cost) funeral planning efforts don’t involve buying or arranging anything. In fact, before you do any concrete planning, it’s a good idea to sit down and organize your fiscal and personal information so that everything you need is in one place. By taking an extra step to outline your funeral wishes and to provide a copy of this information to the individual who will be responsible for your estate after your death, you can save quite a bit of time and effort.
(more…) Funeral Customs for Fire Fighters
September 17th, 2012
Whenever someone dies in the line of duty—whether it’s a soldier, police officer, or fire fighter—funeral planning becomes more important than ever before. That’s because the deceased is more than just a beloved son or daughter, mother or father. He or she is a hero, and that’s someone that entire communities want to band together to commemorate.
In almost all cases, there are protocols in place regarding funeral planning for a fallen hero. The International Association of Fire Fighters oversees the process of line-of-duty deaths for fire fighters, including how to plan a funeral in keeping with the honor due the deceased.
(more…) Funeral Planning and Technology: Virtual Showrooms
September 14th, 2012
These days, more and more funeral planning consumers are turning to online sources for information on choosing a funeral home and knowing their options when it comes to burial, cremation, or alternate body arrangements. Whether they’re researching funeral costs via an Android or building a memorial website from home, people are using their web-savvy skills to make smart choices and plan funerals that bridge tradition and technology.
(more…) Before You Sign the Funeral Contract
September 12th, 2012
Whenever you pre-plan a funeral or make arrangements to handle the remains of a loved one, you will be asked to sign a contract with the funeral home. This is designed to protect both you and the funeral home, which is why it’s important to make sure you understand the fine print before you sign (and why you might possibly run it by your lawyer first).
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