Does Funeral Planning Prepare You Emotionally?
There are many practical reasons for pre-planning a funeral. It can be a solid financial decision and it can help clear any confusion as to what your desires are for final services. What often goes underappreciated, however, are the emotional benefits of making plans ahead of time. Here is a…...
How to Plan a Funeral Reception
A funeral reception has long been accepted as a way in which family and friends can get together to support each other through the loss of a loved one. It tends to be a way to decompress after a very stressful time and a signal that it may be time…...
What to Know About Estate Planning
For some, “estate planning” means sitting in an attorney’s office for hours going through complex legal issues. Others view it simply as preparing a will. The reality is it includes a financial accounting of your assets and what you would like to see happen to them upon your death. This…...
Guide to Choosing a Meaningful Headstone
Perhaps nothing is more physically permanent in this world than a headstone. Previously known as a grave marker or a gravestone, they serve to identify the final resting place of the remains of the deceased. A trip through any of your local cemeteries will demonstrate just how wide and varied…...
Top Considerations to Make When Planning Your Funeral
You may think when it comes to planning your own funeral it is all about you, right? Finally, you get what you want the way you want it while spending only as much as you are comfortable with. Can we have an honest discussion here? One of the top considerations…...
Five Songs for a Celebration of Life
Celebrations of Life have become increasingly popular for final services, as families move away from dark and somber traditional funeral services. Families have found solace and, to some degree, joy in relating fond memories and celebrating the contributions of individuals. Celebrations of Life have also created a need for new…...
Flowers that Symbolize Empathy and Remembrance
Giving flowers and placing them around the deceased has roots from ancient times, although the purpose has changed. Prior to modern embalming practices, for example, flowers were used to mask any unpleasant odors, especially in warmer climates. Today, flowers are generally given both as a sign of love and respect…...
Signs to Look for When Selecting a Funeral Home
Traditionally, funeral homes were selected by families because they had served the family for generations or because they were noted for catering to a certain religion. While many still select funeral homes based on their religion or relationship with the family, that paradigm is shifting. Families are more mobile today.…...
What’s Best? An Open or Closed Casket?
Once a family has decided they would like to have a visitation at final services, the next decision will be whether that visitation will include a closed or open casket. Like just about everything else involving a funeral, this is a very personal decision. You should not feel pressured into…...