Technology has truly changed how we live, and it has also altered our funeral planning. While obituaries, funeral programs, and headstones used to be how we would remember loved ones, we now have even more options. Many people now construct memorial websites to honor their loved ones in perpetuity.
(more…) Setting Up a Memorial Website
August 26th, 2010Technology has truly changed how we live, and it has also altered our funeral planning. While obituaries, funeral programs, and headstones used to be how we would remember loved ones, we now have even more options. Many people now construct memorial websites to honor their loved ones in perpetuity.
(more…) Travel for a Funeral
August 25th, 2010
Funeral planning can be hard enough, but when you factor in needing to travel to get there, it makes a difficult situation that much more complicated. While nothing can ease the emotional load of the event, there are a few tips that you can follow that will make your funeral plan easier
on you and on your budget.
(more…) Pet Burial (in a Formal Setting)
August 24th, 2010
When it comes to our families, some of us have a few more members of the four-footed variety. Funeral planning for our pet isn’t something that comes up very often between playtime and feeding, but it is an issue that has to be addressed. Cats and dogs have shorter life spans than humans, making burial arrangements an inevitable necessity. Understanding your options, however, can make planning a funeral for your pet much easier.
(more…) Choosing the Right Words for a Headstone
August 23rd, 2010
One of the most lasting pieces of funeral planning is the words on the headstone. Whether they are clever, meaningful, or just informational, it is these words that will embody the final message of the deceased at the cemetery. Because of this, it is important that the final arrangements made to theheadstone represent what the deceased and the deceased’s loved ones want the world to remember.
Virtually all headstones have the deceased’s name and the years of birth and death. Many modern stones also include the actual birth date and date of death as well. These decisions depend largely on how much space the headstone offers as well as the style of other commemorations at the cemetery.
(more…) Cremation as a “Green” Alternative
August 19th, 2010
With all of the environmentally conscious ideas we’ve incorporated in our lives, it’s no wonder that our funeral planning is coming under scrutiny as well. With fewer resources consumed, funeral planning with cremation can be an ecologically sound option.
(more…) Flower Etiquette for Funerals
August 18th, 2010
While much of funeral planning is left to the close family and loved ones of the deceased, some signs of respect can be made by other people who wish to offer their condolences and remembrances. Having flowers sent to the funeral is a beautiful way to express how much you care. Knowing when to send the flowers and what exactly to send, however, requires some knowledge of funeral flower etiquette.
(more…) Ways to Pre-Pay for a Funeral
August 16th, 2010
The high costs of a modern funeral, which can range anywhere from a few thousand to over ten thousand dollars, often turn the burial process into an even more complicated and heartrending affair than it already is.
If you're interested in learning more about the funeral planning process as way to protect your loved ones for years to come, there are some great resources out there. As more and more people turn to pre-need funeral planning, more options reach the market and allow for greater choices and lower costs than ever before.
(more…) Who Should Be in Charge of Funeral Planning: the Funeral Home or a Family Member?
August 13th, 2010
In almost all cases in which you make financial arrangements during the funeral planning stages, it will be necessary to choose a beneficiary or executor. This will be the individual who spends whatever money you have set aside for the funeral and who is called upon to make decisions regarding products, services, and payment arrangements.
(more…) Funeral Costs: a Detailed Price Breakdown
August 12th, 2010
The average funeral costs between $8,000 and $12,000, including everything from casket and embalming to a burial plot and a memorial service. However, not all of this money goes to one place. Each component comes with its own price tag, and many products and services can be purchased through wholesalers or discount companies, which can considerably lower the overall cost of the funeral.
If you are funeral planning or preparing to say good bye to a loved one, this list of funeral services and their costs should give you a better idea of what to expect to pay. Please note that these are average estimates, and will vary depending on where you live and what specifics you choose.
(more…) Funeral Planning in a Tough Economy
August 10th, 2010
Funeral planning is a difficult affair under even the best of circumstances. In addition to handling your own grief and bereavement process, there are countless decisions to be made, people to get in touch with, and expenses to consider. The last of these – the financial ramifications of funeral planning – is one that often hits people the hardest, as the average funeral costs between $8,000 and $12,000 in all.
With a tough economy and many people struggling just to get by, these costs represent a staggering setback. Few families wish to go into debt to pay for a funeral, but at the same time, it may be important to you not to “skimp” on this important process.
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