Funeral planning is not immune to the power of popular culture. Although this industry is one that has a tendency to adopt change at a slower pace, technology has made it easier to incorporate thing like webcasts, memorial websites, and QR codes on headstones into your funeral plans. For some people, these types of things are part of the ever-changing world in which we live; for others, they’re too much of a departure from tradition to be a comfortable funeral planning choice.
Of course, today’s funeral innovations go beyond computers and technology. One of the most recent images to hit the newsstands is of a casket that takes advantage of the favorite pop culture item of 2011/2012: bacon. That’s right. A bacon casket.
(more…) Whimsical Funeral Themes: Too Far?
September 10th, 2012Funeral planning is not immune to the power of popular culture. Although this industry is one that has a tendency to adopt change at a slower pace, technology has made it easier to incorporate thing like webcasts, memorial websites, and QR codes on headstones into your funeral plans. For some people, these types of things are part of the ever-changing world in which we live; for others, they’re too much of a departure from tradition to be a comfortable funeral planning choice.
Of course, today’s funeral innovations go beyond computers and technology. One of the most recent images to hit the newsstands is of a casket that takes advantage of the favorite pop culture item of 2011/2012: bacon. That’s right. A bacon casket.
(more…) Funeral Planning: The Realities of Cremation
September 7th, 2012
If you’re considering cremation as a funeral planning option for yourself or a loved one, it’s important to have all the facts first. Although cremation is growing in popularity as a low-cost and environmentally-friendly way to say goodbye to those we love, it isn’t mainstream enough yet that the details of the process are common knowledge—especially as they relate to medical and spiritual issues.
(more…) Rooms in a Traditional Funeral Home
September 5th, 2012
One thing that almost all funeral homes have in common is that they are large, elaborate structures built in the traditional style. From historic brick facades and marble pillars to classic Victorian décor, the funeral home setting is designed to provide comfort to the family as well as serve a functional purpose.
Most funeral homes are these large, mansion-like structures not to be awe-inspiring, but because it is necessary to have ample space for all the services and products offered here. In addition, older funeral homes might even have a living space upstairs for the family, since in the past, a funeral director always needed to be near his or her work.
(more…) What to Do When a Loved One Dies Overseas
August 31st, 2012
Although it’s a rare occurrence and few people think it can happen to them, there are incidences in which a United States citizen dies while living or vacationing abroad. This can be a trying experience. In addition to dealing with the grief of loss, there is quite a bit of red tape to go through in order to transfer the body of the deceased and to get all the appropriate paperwork to settle the estate.
(more…) Funeral Planning: Online Wills
August 28th, 2012
One of the biggest steps you’ll take during the process of estate and funeral planning is to create a will. This legally-binding document contains directives how to disburse your estate after you are gone, including how and where your property and assets are divided (as well as the care of any dependents you leave behind). Although the traditional method has always been to draft a will under the direction and guidance of a lawyer, the ease of online transactions has made online wills more popular than ever before.
And while there are benefits to drafting an online will, it’s not the right solution for everyone. If you’re in the funeral planning stages and are considering looking to the Internet for your will and estate needs, here are a few considerations to keep in mind.
(more…) POD Funeral Plans
August 23rd, 2012
There are many different ways to pre-plan a funeral, ranging from funeral insurance policies and fully arranging all the details to pre-paid packages that cover your entire funeral costs. All of these options come with their own pros and cons, and choosing which one is right for you can take a little bit of advance research.
One of the less common options is to have a POD account (Payable on Death) set up for the beneficiary of your choosing.
(more…) Funeral Planning Warnings
August 17th, 2012
As is the case with any major life purchase, funeral planning comes with its own red flags and warnings. Although the death care industry is regulated at both the federal and the state levels, there will always be dishonest practices by a select few organizations that care more about making money than providing you with the comfort and services you need.
If you or a loved one is preparing to plan a funeral, here are a few issues to keep in mind before you sign a contract or open your wallet.
(more…) After Funeral Planning: The First Year
August 16th, 2012
You’ve said goodbye to your loved one the best way you know how, tied the loose ends up from the funeral planning, and are getting ready to face the most difficult task ahead of you: the first year. Although everyone grieves in a different way, and there is no way to prepare for the emotional hardships that lay ahead of you, most people agree that the first few months are always the hardest.
And while no one can tell you how best to handle your grief, you can at least rely on the support of financial advisors to help you get your personal affairs into order. (This is most important when you’ve recently lost a spouse or life partner, although dealing with a parent’s finances might also be a factor for adult children.)
(more…) Notifying Family Members of a Recent Passing
August 10th, 2012
One of the most often overlooked steps in funeral planning is communicating the passing of a loved one to others. While an obituary will do a good job of notifying the general community of the death, including where they can send flowers or attend a memorial service, those who were closer to the deceased deserve a more personalized message. However, since you’re likely to be grieving during this time, picking up the phone to make fifty phone calls might be more than you can handle.
(more…) When an Unexpected Death Occurs
August 7th, 2012
Much of the information you’ll find online (and here at our blog) has to do with funeral pre-planning. We always encourage people to look ahead to those difficult times, since making financial and physical arrangements can greatly reduce the burden on loved ones. This is especially true for those in the retirement planning stages of their life.
Unfortunately, death isn’t always something we can plan for. Many times, the loss of a loved one occurs out of the blue or when they are at an age when such a thing shouldn’t be possible. If this is the case, and you haven’t had any time to prepare or learn about funeral planning, you can expect to follow a timeline similar to this:
(more…) 
