One of the key decisions a family needs to make is to determine the manner and place of disposition for their loved one’s remains. Whether it’s burial, cremation, or another alternative (such as soil transformation), the final resting place carries deep emotional, cultural, and practical implications. Let’s explore this concept...
Amid all the decisions a family must make, one element stands out as a cornerstone of making arrangements: the funeral service (or memorial service). While some families are tempted to forgo a formal service in favor of simplicity or privacy, holding a service offers benefits for families and friends. It’s...
Whether we are confronted with a sudden death, or planning for the future, breaking a funeral down into a few simple concepts can help us understand what we are facing. It can help to break the process into the following 4 key elements: Care of the deceased Service details and specifics Final disposition Remembering and...
A death doula, sometimes called an end-of-life doula, is a trained professional who provides holistic support to individuals and families during the dying process. Much like birth doulas assist with childbirth, death doulas guide people through the final stages of life, offering emotional, spiritual, and practical assistance specifically tailored to...
Deciding whether to bring a child to a funeral is a deeply personal choice that stirs a range of opinions among parents and psychologists. Exposing a young child to such an emotionally charged event raises questions about their emotional readiness, the family’s needs, and societal expectations. In this article we...
Making funeral arrangements is overwhelming, and one of the most significant choices you need to make is selecting a funeral home. Here we will explore some compelling reasons to choose an independently owned funeral home over a corporation. From personalized care to community connection, independent funeral homes can provide a...
When a veteran dies, their family can encounter additional emotional and financial challenges. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers several different benefits to honor someone’s service and ease the burden on survivors. Part of our commitment includes helping families to understand these benefits, and to ensure that veterans and...
If someone dies before letting their final wishes be known, family members can be distressed and confused about what to select and how to proceed. There are many options regarding final disposition, including:
As funeral professionals, we feel at times that we are stewards of others' grief. Being invited, suddenly and constantly, to engage in a stranger's upsetting and intimate experience has a profound effect on us. How can it not? We are often drawn for a brief moment into the family dynamic and get...
Having met with thousands of families to plan a funeral, one question we often are asked is: "Why do I need to buy a vault or outer burial container?" This is a great question that we will try to answer. Most often the use of a vault (also called an outer...
