When planning a funeral, one of the most important decisions you will make is how to mark the gravesite. Choosing a well-designed headstone, monument, or funeral marker for the memorial site is vital because you must create something that reflects the life and legacy of your deceased loved one. Apart from marking the grave, it must withstand the harsh elements and test of time.
Everyone knows a cemetery is a quiet, solemn place where you can be reflective or pensive. You can bring funeral flowers and stay for a few minutes or several hours to remember your loved ones who have passed on. This peaceful ground is a final resting place where you honor the memory of the dead. For this reason, this unique space holds unwritten rules that you must follow. If you want to be sure you’re not breaking any code of conduct, it would be helpful to abide by these cemetery etiquette tips.
How can you feel at peace with the thought of your loved one’s imminent death? When you know you will be planning a funeral in the very near future, it can take its toll on you. While the sudden demise of a loved one can unleash seemingly insurmountable feelings of despair and grief, losing a loved one slowly can be just as traumatic for the family living in perpetual anguish waiting for the time to come. Anticipatory grief or sadness felt over impending death can lead to emotional challenges and upheavals that make your life feel as if it is tragic, meaningless, and destined for doom. Read more
Losing a loved one is devastating. To make things worse, incurring massive financial setbacks is also a huge possibility after death, especially if there’s no emergency fund or insurance in place. Enduring financial hardships because of the demise of your loved one can be brutal. However, funeral planning doesn’t have to break the bank. You can plan an affordable but meaningful funeral without overspending. Read more
It is understandable why you may find it difficult to process your grief as you get ready to attend the funeral services. This is a difficult task for anyone to prepare for. However, parents also face the added pressure of determining if their children should attend the wake or funeral. That being said, there is no age rule for a child when it comes to funeral ceremonies.
In reality, age is not the most important consideration as every kid has a different maturity level. They cope with loss in different ways. Attending the funeral of their loved one may feel healing and therapeutic for some kids. However, for other children, being there could be overwhelming. If you are not certain if your children are ready to attend a wake or funeral, here are some factors that can help you make a decision.
When it comes to funerals, there are a few key individuals that we all expect to be there. You’ve got the funeral director at the helm and the officiant who will give the final words. However, we must not forget to thank other individuals who work hard to make sure the funeral services are smooth.
If you are funeral planning, don’t forget to keep them in mind when extending appreciation or sending out thank you notes. Here are five other individuals that you may not have realized are involved in planning a touching and successful service commemorating your departed loved one:
It is a common practice to send a condolence card with funeral flowers during memorial services or even after the proceedings are over. Usually, people just buy a nice card and put in the standard words like: “You have my deepest sympathies,” “I am sorry for your loss,” or “Our deepest condolences.” All are comforting words that show care and support. Read more
Goodbyes are always difficult. Period. Saying goodbye to a person you love under normal circumstances is already rough. After all, no one wants to be separated from a person they hold dear. However, saying goodbye to someone who is dying from a terminal illness or a person who is suddenly in palliative care because of an accident or stroke makes goodbyes even more heartbreaking. How do you say goodbye when you know you will be planning a funeral soon? When you know that this goodbye will be final and forever, what words can you say? If you need help, consider the following suggestions to help you and your beloved find peace while there’s still time left. Read more
We all know that it is burdensome when people have to prepare funeral services for their kin. This task becomes even more difficult when a parent has to bury a child. Such a tragic notion goes against the natural law of life. After all, younger children are always expected to outlive their much older parents. Anyone who has gone through this heartbreaking experience will tell you that when a child dies, a part of your adult spirit dies along with them.
Death in itself takes a toll on those who are left grieving, most especially if the life that is lost was born from your own flesh and blood. Nothing can ever prepare a parent for this tragic fate. Though it seems unlikely as the circle of life opposes this concept, sadly, losing a child can still happen. How then, are parents supposed to cope when the unthinkable happens? Here are some suggestions to help you and your kin move on from the death of your most beloved child. Read more
One of the most difficult speeches you will ever have to make in your life is called a eulogy. This is your last tribute to a deceased love one. The term eulogy has roots from the Greek word “εὐλογία,” which is defined as praise. It is comprised of words to honor your loved ones who passed away. It is usually delivered during the funeral or memorial services. Read more
