Human grief is often one of the first things we are trained to recognize after the loss of a loved one. Funeral homes and funeral planning experts have countless resources on hand to help direct people toward bereavement services, medical professionals, and counselors who can help people cope with their emotions.
One area that is receiving increased attention in recent years is the role animals play—both in the bereavement process and as beings capable of mourning. If you are an animal lover, you may find that one of the best ways to cope is to find solace with your four-legged friends.
(more…) The Role of Animals in Grief and Bereavement
February 6th, 2012Human grief is often one of the first things we are trained to recognize after the loss of a loved one. Funeral homes and funeral planning experts have countless resources on hand to help direct people toward bereavement services, medical professionals, and counselors who can help people cope with their emotions.
One area that is receiving increased attention in recent years is the role animals play—both in the bereavement process and as beings capable of mourning. If you are an animal lover, you may find that one of the best ways to cope is to find solace with your four-legged friends.
(more…) Everything You Need to Know About Embalming
February 3rd, 2012
One of the many issues that will come up as you go through the funeral planning process is whether or not you'd like to have the deceased embalmed. Embalming, which is the procedure done to remove all the fluids in the body and replace them with a chemical mixture that preserves the tissue, has long been a staple in the funeral industry.
While there are some instances in which embalming is a legal requirement, most people can opt out of this burial practice with few repercussions. If you are unsure whether or not this option is right for you, consider the following embalming facts:
(more…) Co-op Funeral Homes
February 1st, 2012
These days, just about everything has an affordable alternative—and funeral planning is no different. Low-cost funerals have become something of a buzzword in recent years, offering people a chance to say goodbye to their loved ones in a way that doesn’t put a strain on their personal finances.
There are many different ways to save money on funeral planning, including direct burial options, cremation, and funeral pre-plan packages. Another new trend that hasn’t yet caught on everywhere is a co-op funeral home.
(more…) Death Masks for a Modern Funeral
January 17th, 2012
For thousands of years, people have been working hard to capture the memory of the loved ones they have lost. As early as the ancient Egyptian culture, death practices and funeral planning efforts have included a burial mask, or an impression made of the face of the deceased shortly after he or she passes. This was done for a variety of reasons, including religious and cultural rites.
It is also an art form in which the death mask becomes a memento or figure to be used in portraits or other memorials. Although the earliest cultures used clay or other soils to make the impressions of the face, death mask artistry evolved over the years to include plaster, wax, and even metal molds.
(more…) Funeral Planning: Hiring a Funeral Musician
January 17th, 2012
Almost all modern funeral services have some sort of musical component to them. Ranging from elaborate jazz funerals in the grand New Orleans tradition to simply playing a CD of favorite songs during the memorial service, music provides a great way to capture the mood of a funeral and help say many of the things it is too difficult to voice during the painful time of separation.
When it comes to funeral planning, it's important to remember that no two funerals are exactly alike. If you are considering your music choices, don't feel pressured to hire a professional singer or pianist unless it is something you feel strongly about. Music at a funeral doesn't have to be elaborate to be moving.
(more…) New York Pet Cemetery is the Oldest in the World
January 16th, 2012
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…) Funeral Services and Cemeteries in San Diego, CA
November 10th, 2011
San Diego funeral homes are part of a long history of settlement and development in Southern California. In addition to a large military burial facility (due in large part to the prevalence of the U.S. Navy), there are several historical cemeteries that date back to the 1700s and 1800s, when Spanish settlers began making their mark.
Whether you're interested in the funeral history of the area, or if you're looking at more modern funeral options for the recent loss of a loved one, there are plenty of funeral homes and cemeteries to visit here.
(more…) What to Do if You Can’t Attend the Funeral
November 8th, 2011
No matter what your intentions are or how highly you regard a loved one, there are times when it is impossible to attend a funeral. Although most employers are understanding when it comes to the last minute nature of funeral planning, it can be hard to take the time away from your job, especially if the service is being held out of town. From travel impediments and cost restrictions to former engagements, there are a number of reasons why you might have to send your condolences in place of yourself.
Unless you are a very close friend or family member of the deceased, this is probably okay. It might not be ideal for you to be absent during this difficult time, there are alternate ways to send your regards.
(more…) Funeral Photography
November 4th, 2011
One increasingly common trend that we're seeing in funeral planning today is the presence of a funeral photographer at the services. As the name suggests, this professional is on hand to take pictures of a memorial ceremony, the sprays of funeral flowers, the guests, and, in some rarer cases, the coffin or deceased.
While some people consider this practice macabre, funeral photography has actually been around for centuries. And as a recent photograph at the funeral of fallen Navy S.E.A.L Jon Tumilson (with his grieving pet Lab) proves, pictures can be a powerful way to capture the emotions of the day and pay a lasting tribute to those who pass on.
(more…) Preserving Funeral Flowers
November 2nd, 2011
One of the most traditional and time-honored funeral customs is to send sympathy flowers to the newly bereaved. Whether these are sent to the funeral home for display during a memorial service or delivered right to the deceased's home as a way to show your support, funeral flowers have long been associated with comfort and bereavement.
Many of the sprays sent during this time have particular sentimental value. Perhaps they were the favorite flowers of the deceased, were sent by an important relative, or carry other personal meaning. They can also be elaborate and expensive, and therefore worth preserving. All of these contribute to a growing trend in the funeral planning community to save funeral flowers so that they can be displayed or placed in safekeeping.
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