Cremation is becoming an increasingly viable choice for those who wish to step away from traditional burial platforms. With lower overall costs, a healthier environmental stamp, and the ability to personally connect with the deceased remains, there are a number of good reasons to consider this funeral planning option. However, because cremation has not become quite as widespread as traditional burial, some families may not be ready to take this step.
(more…) Is Cremation Appropriate For Everyone?
August 6th, 2010Cremation is becoming an increasingly viable choice for those who wish to step away from traditional burial platforms. With lower overall costs, a healthier environmental stamp, and the ability to personally connect with the deceased remains, there are a number of good reasons to consider this funeral planning option. However, because cremation has not become quite as widespread as traditional burial, some families may not be ready to take this step.
(more…) Funeral Etiquette: Leaving Flowers at the Gravesite
August 5th, 2010
Flowers and floral arrangements are a common tradition respecting the deceased in many different cultures. Offered as bouquets, wreaths, or as part of larger displays, flowers add a touch of beauty and elegance to the setting, and also convey respect for the deceased.
When funeral planning or preparing a gravesite for burial, flowers are likely to play an integral role in the proceedings, and they. However, funeral etiquette dictates that there is more to the process than simply placing a flower or bunch of flowers on a grave and leaving them there. In order to respect the deceased as well other families going through the grieving process, there are a few floral guidelines to consider.
(more…) How to Pick the Right Funeral Home
August 3rd, 2010
It doesn't matter whether you're getting ready for funeral planning, or if you're in the midst of the sudden death of a loved one – picking the right funeral home can be a difficult choice. From traditional funerals that incorporate religious customs to more modern green funerals, there are many different ways to honor those who have passed, and all of them come with their own benefits and drawbacks.
That's why making the right decision in planning a funeral is such an important first step. After all, finding the right location will allow you to not only respect the wishes of the deceased, but also to provide a proper outlet for grief for all the family members and friends.
(more…) Should You Take Kids to Funerals?
July 28th, 2010
Funerals, even under the best of circumstances, are a frightening experience. 
When you add in the formal and often austere backdrop of a funeral home and cemetery, the result can be one that is not welcoming to kids.
However, just like adults, children must go through their own process of grief and understanding when it comes to death. And for many children, this means being able to say goodbye and share in the experience of a group of friends and family coming together to celebrate life and honor death. Whether the funeral is in the planning stages or if you're trying to decide what is appropriate for your family, the following checklist should help you determine if bringing your kids to a funeral is the right choice.
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When you add in the formal and often austere backdrop of a funeral home and cemetery, the result can be one that is not welcoming to kids.
However, just like adults, children must go through their own process of grief and understanding when it comes to death. And for many children, this means being able to say goodbye and share in the experience of a group of friends and family coming together to celebrate life and honor death. Whether the funeral is in the planning stages or if you're trying to decide what is appropriate for your family, the following checklist should help you determine if bringing your kids to a funeral is the right choice.
(more…) Coping with Loss
July 22nd, 2010
The one part of funeral planning that almost no one can prepare for is the act of grieving over the loss of a loved one. There is no way to know for sure how death will affect you until it happens, and the way you process your emotions is unique to you and your relationship with the deceased.
Just like planning a funeral, there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Whether you turn to religion, to familiar comforts, or take your time in coming to terms with your loss, there are resources you can turn to in order to make the process easier.
(more…) Cost Cutting Funeral Tips
July 21st, 2010
There’s no way around it – funeral planning can be expensive. No one wants to cut corners on the burial arrangements for their loved ones, and it can be hard to think through the cost of a funeral and stay frugal during the grief process. It is important to know, however, that with respect and proper funeral etiquette.
(more…) Looking Ahead: Funeral Pre-Planning
July 19th, 2010
It may be a necessary fact of life, but pre-planning a funeral isn’t what most people choose to do on their day off. Perhaps the biggest obstacle to planning for a funeral is that it requires facing the fact that eventually, you will pass away. Coming to terms with this truth isn’t easy for any one, and it can be difficult for both you and your loved ones.
However, after your death, final arrangements will have to be made, and you can spare your loved ones considerable cost and heartache by attending to the details in advance. And if you have already decided whether you will choose cremation, a green funeral, or burial in a cemetery, it will make the process of finalizing your burial arrangements that much easier.
(more…) Resources to Help Pay for a Funeral
July 15th, 2010
When a loved one passes, funeral planning can be daunting. It is important to make burial arrangements that are respectful to the deceased, yet finding the means to pay for the services isn’t always easy. Fortunately, there are some resources out there that may be able to assist with the cost of planning a funeral. (more…) Cemetery Visits Provide Healing and Grief Therapy
May 25th, 2010
Burial options are more diverse today than they have ever been before. People are opting for everything from traditional cemetery plots and urns to more unusual choices like donation for the advancement of science and medicine. All of these are part of the natural process of passing on, and the decision of which one to choose ultimately rests with the deceased and the family he or she leaves behind.
One important consideration when choosing which type of burial method to use involves taking into account the power of having a place to bereave. The process of grieving the loss of a loved one is a very personalized and individual one. No two people will handle the process in exactly the same way, and there is no real way to prepare for the pain of losing someone you care about. However, one of the features of grief that is almost universal is the power of having someplace you can go to say your goodbyes and heal properly.
(more…) Practice Your Ethical Beliefs with a Green Funeral
May 16th, 2010
As environmental awareness has grown, the idea of green funerals has become more and more appealing to those who wish to lessen their impact on the earth. From green coffins to funeral homes that have adapted an entirely eco-friendly approach, those who choose to live an ecologically responsible lifestyle may be both sur prised and pleased to learn about the variety of green funeral options that continue to emerge.
Green Funeral Options
· Green Coffins: Caskets can create a problem when it comes to planning a green funeral. The heavy, polished wood and metal coffins that are commonly chosen are not easily biodegradable and can significantly inhibit the process of returning ones remains to the earth. So-calle d “green coffins” have a lower impact and biodegrade much more quickly and easily. A number of options are available for those looking for green coffins, with bamboo, cardboard, and jute being good choices. Some choose to forego even a green coffin, opting instead to be buried in only a shroud.
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