Choosing Cremation Over Traditional Burial
One of the first decisions someone pre-planning their own final services or a family making arrangements for a loved one has to make is the big choice between cremation or a traditional burial. Each of these choices has its benefits and drawbacks. Each also has a fair share of misperceptions.…...
A Simple Guide to Personalizing a Funeral Service
When you think of the words that should describe a funeral service, you may choose words like heartfelt, sincere, touching, beautiful, and emotional. There is another word that helps describe some of the most remarkable final services. That word is “personalized.” Why is personalizing a funeral service so important? What…...
The Impact of Grief on Physical Health
Most of us have seen the immediate toll grief can have on a person following the death of a loved one. There will likely be tears, sadness, and even anger. There could be signs of withdrawal, isolation, and even depression. While these are understandable and even accepted to some degree,…...
Understanding the Role of a Funeral Director
When a need arises, funeral directors become a source of comfort and guidance. Until then, however, many remain a bit of a mystery. What do they do, and what are their primary responsibilities? What don’t most people generally understand about funeral directors, and what should they know? What is the…...
Managing Funeral Costs: Financial & Budgeting Tips
We’ve all seen or heard the ads talking about the high costs of final expenses. It is true. Funerals can be expensive, especially if you are unprepared. Let’s discuss the common aspects of a funeral and how quickly they can add up. We’ll look at options for paying for final…...
Grieving After Suicide: What’s Next?
Losing someone close to suicide can shake you to your core. Although grieving the death of anyone close is challenging, when someone is lost to suicide, the grief can be massive and complex. Even in such difficult situations, there is hope. Here are some things to consider when thinking about…...
Executor of a Loved One’s Will? Here’s a Helpful Checklist
Being asked or appointed executor of a will or estate can, at first, seem overwhelming. The more you understand about the duties involved, however, the more straightforward the tasks involved can be. Here is an explanation and checklist to help make the process more understandable. The Role of the Executor…...
What’s the Difference Between a Death Notice & Obituary?
In this age of viral news and instant social media, it may be difficult to imagine a time when communication was not always so quick and seamless. It was only a few generations ago that the Pony Express was the quickest way to get messages across the country. It, of…...
Above-Ground Burials: What You Need to Know
One of the lesser known burial options available to families is what is known as above-ground burials. These are not a new option. In fact, above-ground burials trace their histories back hundreds and even thousands of years. What exactly are above-ground burials, and how do they differ from in-ground burials?…...
Using AI in Funeral Planning
When AI in the form of ChatGPT first made headlines in 2023, reactions ranged from “Ho hum” to fears of robotic takeovers. The reality, at least so far, is somewhere in between. Furthermore, were you aware that AI-style technology has been accessible for years? If you use Siri, Google, spellcheck,…...
