Are you questioning if small white feathers floating near you have a spiritual meaning? And could feathers be a message from a loved one who died? Many people experience comfort when they find a feather. They see it as a…
It’s so hard to know what to say when a loved one dies. But these in loving memory quotes help you choose the right memorial. Use these words in a sympathy card or on a headstone. Or simply let them…
Headstone inscriptions tell a story about your life. But, of course, it’s a short story, so you want the words to mean something. But how do you know what a headstone should say? These tributes and epitaphs honor your loved…
Sending funeral flowers is a common way to express sympathy. But knowing what to say doesn’t come naturally to everyone. So here are some heartfelt ideas for what to write on funeral flowers. Keep your words short, comforting, and meaningful,…
Writing a eulogy for your father is emotionally hard. Unlike news outlets and celebrities, you probably don’t have obituaries and tributes written ahead of time and standing by. But breaking up your funeral speech makes it easier to tackle. So…
Doves are often associated with peace. But especially when depicted with an olive branch in their beaks, mourning doves mean safety. Additionally, the mourning dove call often equates to grief. Many cultures place significant spiritual meaning on animals. And so,…
Comforting Bible verses for grief give you hope to move through this difficult time. Of course, losing a loved one is hard, and there’s no getting around the pain. But for the faithful, God’s promises through scripture offer solace and…
Grandparents love you unconditionally. And they have a special place in your heart. Their age means they’ve learned not to worry about the small stuff. So, they shower children with laughter, candies, and memories to last a lifetime! I Miss…
Losing a sister must happen on one of the worst days of your life. It’s hard for me to imagine, even though I know that death will come someday for my family, too. These inspirational quotes for the loss of…
These quotes offer comfort if you are missing your best friend who died. It’s hard to know what to say or how to act after a friend dies. The family’s pain rightfully takes center stage. But suffering the loss of…
Many questions arise when pre-planning your own funeral. For example, you may wonder if you can be buried at home. Or if you have to buy a casket. Traditional burial options are no longer the only way to go. Making…
Aquamation is the process of using water and chemicals to decompose a human or pet body quickly. It takes about 6 hours to reduce a human body to ashes, which is longer than flame cremation but substantially faster than decomposition…
When you experience the death of a pet, it shakes you to your very being. But, of course, we don’t expect little furry faces to impact our lives as they do. But the emotional impact of losing animals takes a…
Losing a pet is heartbreaking. I hope you find peace in these pet loss quotes and poems if you recently lost a beloved pet. Or maybe you’re trying to find the right words to comfort a grieving friend. These poems…
Wearing cremation jewelry lets, you carry a piece of your loved one with you wherever you go. Men’s cremation jewelry provides a physical reminder and can be a way of honoring your beloved. Wearing it may also help you process…
You may not have attended a Celebration of Life and so you’re wondering how to decorate for one. As a past Funeral Director, I’ve got all the details you need. So keep reading to discover the best decor for a…
It’s normal to have questions about cremation, especially if this is your first experience with death. But unfortunately, gathering the required signatures and approval for the cremation takes time. And even though it’s hard to wait, there’s just no natural…
Losing a brother is difficult anytime, but sudden deaths make it even harder. Siblings share our whole worlds. They know us like no one else can, so losing them hurts. These death of a brother quotes aim to give you…
Can you wear jeans to a funeral? Yes. And also, no. So what is the correct answer? You can wear crisp, new jeans to a funeral. Pair them with dark shoes, a white shirt, and a sports jacket for a…
You may choose a cardboard casket as an eco-friendly option for burial. Since there are usually no metal components, these coffins make excellent selections. They return to the earth more quickly than hardwood or metal caskets. In addition, cardboard caskets…
Suddenly losing a loved one creates a feeling of shock and grief. When a beautiful soul is gone too soon, you’re left whirling. You may wonder how to even move forward through the haze. These gone-too-soon quotes attempt to help…
The idea of losing a child or infant is heartbreaking. Parents are devastated and sometimes beyond consolation. So you can help ease a small portion of their sorrow by acknowledging it. Your grief-stricken friend will appreciate your gesture of kindness.…
The tradition of honoring their dead with an Irish wake is well-known and time-honored. You may be attending one yourself, or maybe you’re just curious about what to expect. Keep reading to learn more about what happens, how it is…
Vietnamese are multi-day affairs meant to usher the dead into the afterlife. Families mourn for several days when someone dies. Close family and friends wear white headbands to symbolize their close ties, mourn, and show respect. The day of a…
Knowing how to plan a celebration of life is not an ordinary skill many of us have. Since you don’t have to plan these events often, you’ll find step-by-step directions here. There’s also a checklist to help you succeed in…
Post-funeral receptions offer the opportunity to celebrate the life of a loved one who passed away. While funerals are more somber events, receptions are a time for storytelling. Laughter and tears flow while you remember the deceased in a relaxed…
Have you ever wondered about being buried without a casket? I’m answering all kinds of burial questions today. It’s about burial without embalming and what a grave is called when there isn’t a body present. Have you ever wondered why…
Have you ever wondered what happens at a Jehovah’s Witness funeral? They are held at Kingdom Halls, funeral homes, private homes, crematories, and gravesides. Similar to other religions, Jehovah’s Witnesses have a time of prayer, scripture reading, singing, and a…
Sad Spanish funeral songs remind mourners of their loss while giving them hope for the future. Funeral music speaks to our souls in a way that words often can’t. Even before hearing the lyrics, the sad notes of the guitar,…
Choosing the words to etch on a headstone is difficult. When you’re grieving, it’s even more complicated, so here is a list of epitaphs for mothers. Choose from these words or let them act as a starting point for your…
Most people planning their own or a loved one’s funeral have questions about how to choose a casket. You don’t purchase caskets very often, so you might not know what size to get. Selecting different sizes and options affects the…
Most people try to balance elegant caskets with an affordable price tag. Many beautiful selections cost under $2,000. However, sometimes you want that extra bling to honor your loved one. And that’s where gold caskets shine. Whether your family has…
There are memorial services where it is entirely appropriate to play ridiculous, funny funeral songs. For example, the deceased may have had a wicked sense of humor. Or maybe your family had an ongoing joke surrounding a favorite song or…
Maryland is an expensive place to live. But what does it cost to die there? Baltimore is perhaps the state’s most famous city, with its historic ports and beloved baseball team. Being adjacent to Washington, DC, means many of Maryland’s…
Cremation in Florida has a similar cost as in other states. Simple, direct cremation has an average price in Florida of $1,000. But, of course, you can find lower-priced cremation services for around $500 and higher costs up to $2,000.…
Do you wonder what shoes to wear to a funeral? Can you wear open-toe shoes or sandals? Choosing funeral outfits can be overwhelming. So if you’re unsure of the best choices for funeral footwear, keep reading. I’ve got you covered…
Wearing red at a funeral is traditionally frowned upon in Western cultures. However, there are times when it is appropriate. Often, a family will ask guests to wear a specific color to honor the deceased. So then you follow their…
Losing a pet is difficult, no matter how big or small. We love our little furry friends just as much as the bigger ones. So what happens when a hamster, rabbit, or rat dies? Should you have them cremated? Or…
The freedom you feel when cruising down a curvy country road on a motorcycle is unmatched by any other mode of transportation. Motorcycle riders have free spirits. They are wanderers who love to explore the outdoors from a leather seat.…
Choosing a casket after a loved one dies can hold feelings of longing, guilt, or uncertainty. You want to honor the deceased, but the costs are sometimes shocking. Pine caskets offer a simple and affordable solution when you choose traditional…
I’ve always been super curious about what goes into digging a grave. Since my great-uncle’s funeral, when I was 8 or 9, I’ve been a little fascinated with death. Working in the funeral industry gave me a front-row seat to…
Our pets are our family members. And dogs routinely go almost everywhere humans go. So it stands to reason that our animals also have patron saints. While St. Francis of Assisi is the best-known patron of animals, did you know…
Mother’s Day is difficult for many of us. Maybe we didn’t have a great mother or think we fell short in parenthood. But for those who have lost a child, Mother’s Day can be especially heartbreaking. So if this is…
Purple combines blue’s calm stability and red’s passionate energy. Its color is calming in a garden, where it pairs perfectly with yellow and gold flowers. Purple brings royalty, majesty, and bravery to mind, so it is a beautiful color choice…
Choosing headstone designs for couples is an essential part of the grieving process. When your life partner dies, you feel devastated. Creating a memorial marker that captures the joy in your marriage can help you work through grief. Couples have…
Bronze headstones are regal memorials for your loved one. But they do tend towards water spots and tarnishing. Keep your beloved’s headstone looking pristine in just a few quick steps. Leave the harsh chemicals and bristly brushes at home for…
There are mixed reviews about giving money at a funeral. You may read not to do it. But sometimes, a bit of cash or a check tucked into a sympathy card makes a big difference to the deceased’s family. Funerals…
If you or someone you love is nearing death, you may contemplate cremation. It is an inexpensive alternative to large funerals and cemetery burials. But Christians often wonder, “does cremation go against the Bible?” It boils down to wondering where…
Granite is a popular choice for headstones since it comes in many colors and is readily available. Cleaning your granite headstone helps keep it looking good and lasting longer. But how do you go about it when every article you…
The words mausoleum and crypt are sometimes used interchangeably. But there are some differences. Rather than a below-ground burial, caskets are entombed above ground in buildings. This type of entombment started centuries before Egypt’s pharaohs were buried in the pyramids.…
Selecting music for a Catholic funeral is an integral part of the service. Song choices are limited so that everyone present is able to participate in the funeral celebration. Catholic hymns and songs for funerals convey the message of the…
A crypt is a burial chamber that holds the casketed body of the deceased. It can be above ground in a mausoleum or below ground in a lawn crypt. Modern-day crypts for the average person are usually located in public…
Celebrations of Life are a joyous time of remembering and honoring a loved one. Different than a funeral, this celebration focuses on the deceased’s vitality. Friends and family often wear bright clothing and choose fun events rather than somber ones.…
Celebrations of life joyously honor our loved ones, regardless or maybe because of our grief. We often can not find words to express what we feel or even words to celebrate a life well-lived. It’s not surprising, since the death…
Burying your loved one is expensive, but there are ways to cut costs without sacrificing your peace of mind. Many families feel guilty when they have less money to spend on a funeral. But I hope to ease your mind…
Curiosity about the cremation process is normal. You might want to know how hot the cremation oven gets. Or you may want to know how long it takes for a body to be cremated. Most families I’ve served have had…
Even though we know the Grim Reaper does not lie in wait to capture a third soul, we still believe that death comes in threes. Human beings seek order; we seek rhythm and patterns. And sometimes we pick and choose…
When someone dies, there are many ways to honor them. A memorial service, funeral, and celebration of life all pay respect to your loved one. All three create a gathering of friends and family who cared for the deceased. So…
We learn a lot of new vocabulary after the loss of a loved one. Cemetery vocabulary is some of the oddest. You may wonder why the cemetery requires you to buy a burial vault. It seems just like a casket…
When someone dies, it’s hard to know what to say. We don’t know how to tell someone we are sorry. On the receiving end, we also have a hard time responding to the condolences given to us. Everyone experiences the…
Rain at a funeral is said to be good luck. It is an omen that the deceased has passed into heaven. And it means that God is shedding tears of joy at their arrival. Some superstitions also say the rain…
Even with its growing popularity, cremation still brings about many questions. It somehow seems like a mysterious process that only happens behind closed doors. But that’s no longer the case, as more families choose an active role in witnessing cremation.…
Our pets are family members to us and when one of them dies, it’s natural to want to keep them close to us. Backyard burial is a great option and there are many ways to memorialize your pet. You don’t…
Cremation urns are the heart of many memorial services, so having them displayed beautifully is important. You want your loved one’s urn to be the center of attention at the service. Here is how to easily create an urn display…
A headstone marks the passage of a soul. Even though it’s made of stone, it’s so much more than that. Grave markers provide a place for the bereaved to seek closeness to their loved ones. They give peace to those…
People wear black to funerals as a sign of respect for the deceased. The custom began with the ancient Romans. And then became more popular during the Victorian age when Queen Victoria mourned her husband. We continue the custom today…
I’ve had a love for cemeteries for as long as I can remember. It’s the historic ones that call to me and fill my heart with peace. The beauty of the old funerary art is unmatched in today’s more utilitarian…
With direct cremation, there are no services after death. The deceased is cremated as soon as possible, without ceremony, embalming, or viewing. Costs can add up quickly after a loved one dies. So direct cremation offers a way to keep…
After someone dies, it’s natural to want to keep their memories close to us. We want to keep them alive in our hearts. For some people, that means keeping a loved one’s cremated ashes in your home as a physical…
Embalming is a service offered by funeral homes to help preserve your loved one’s body for a period of time. While it is not strictly required for all viewing, the embalming process does make the deceased look a little more…
I see lighthouses as beacons of hope. Their distant glimmering lights signal safety and strength to ships in the night. In the same way, lighthouses offer hope amidst mourning and grieving. Lighthouses hold many symbolic meanings. Today, I’m looking at…
No one prepares you for the many steps involved in planning a funeral. The week between a loved one’s death and the memorial service passes in a blur. So this guide aims to show you what steps you can take…