Family and Funerals
Call UsFuneral Pre Planning Worksheet
Planning your own funeral can feel emotionally overwhelming, but your bravery in facing these decisions now prevents your family from facing these difficult decisions later. Beginning the planning process with other family members can make it easier for you to make the best decisions for all involved. Considering a “Funeral Pre planning worksheet” now can help you address everything you need to consider.
Fear of Dying Alone
The fear of dying alone is not uncommon. The urban dictionary recently included “monatophobia,” meaning “fear of dying alone.” However, the reality of dying alone may look much different. Let’s look at the fear of dying alone and some ways to feel less afraid as you live in the here and now.
Are Funeral Expenses Tax Deductible?
The IRS allows deductions for medical expenses to prevent or treat a medical illness or condition but not for funeral or cremation costs. But are funeral expenses ever tax-deductible? Learn how you can save on funeral costs in today’s economy.
Traditional Burial: Not the Only Option
If you’re wondering about how to plan for end-of-life, your options are many and varied. Traditional burial is no longer the only way to go out. Other options include cremation, green burial, and cremation with burial. Let’s look at what traditional burial entails and how it differs from your other interment options in North Carolina.
Burial vs Cremation: What’s Right for You?
Whether you choose cremation or burial for your end-of-life plans, there are many factors to consider. Many more people in the US are choosing cremation over burial now vs. in the 1950s. Learn about the pros and cons of burial vs. cremation. Which is right for you?
How Can I Find a Simple Cremation Provider?
Finding a provider for a simple cremation without all the extras may feel daunting. However, you don’t have to skimp on quality and service to find a simple solution for cremation services. Some cremation providers will work within your budget constraints to help you and your family grieve together while providing cremation services at a price point you can appreciate.
Anticipatory Grief: Coping with the Inevitable
Feelings of sadness are typical for many individuals facing the imminent loss of a loved one. Let’s look at what anticipatory grief consists of and tips on coping with your daily life while grieving.
Photo Tour of Historic Oakwood Cemetery
Historic Oakwood cemetery in the middle of Raleigh, North Carolina is uniquely situated amid rolling hills and valleys with an abundance of gracefully swaying trees. In the fall, the colorful leaves give the entire area a majestic beauty. As you walk through the cemetery, there is a sense of groundedness, of belonging to time and place, as if all who walk this earth have a right to leave their legacy. Seeing the dedicated monuments to the lives lived, you ponder the stories of those who now rest at Historic Oakwood. Leaving this place, you understand a renewed sense of your own life’s purpose. Take a photo tour of Historic Oakwood Cemetery and find out who you are.
What is Your Legacy?
Our legacy is what kindles memories in those that succeed us. A legacy isn’t necessarily crafted or created. It just develops over time. It is passed on. Learn what a legacy is as you contemplate what your own personal legacy consists of.
What Happens in the Minutes Before Death?
If someone you love is in the end stages of life, you may have many questions. How much time do they have before death? Will you know when they are about to pass away? How can you ensure that you are there when death occurs? Let’s look at what happens minutes before death, including the physical signs you may look for to know death is imminent.
Everything You Want to Know About Cremation Ashes
In past years, burial with a memorial granite gravestone was a popular choice for almost everyone who passed away in the US. However, in recent years, the popularity of cremation is increasing. When you choose cremation for yourself or a loved one, you receive ashes. Let’s look at everything you want to know about cremation ashes.
What Do Cremation Services Include?
In 1958, less than 4% of Americans chose cremation. However, in 2021, cremation is a popular choice for families and those making preparations for their own memorials. With so many choosing cremation, it makes sense to consider what cremation services include.
Protecting Assets from Nursing Home Costs
If you own a home or a bank account, you have assets you’d like to protect if you need long-term care. Nursing home care costs can eat away everything you’ve saved over the years. However, there are ways of protecting assets from nursing home costs. Let’s look at the possibilities for keeping more of your hard-earned money while leaving more for your loved ones when you die.
How to Honor Your Mother and Father in Death
Because most parents care about their children, it makes sense that as we grow, we would learn to care for them in return. When a parent passes away, it can feel like a piece of your self is gone. However, honoring your father and mother in their passing can help you grieve and move forward with hope. Learn ways to honor your parent in their death.
Finding Perspective About Death
“If you’ve ever suffered the throes of grief, the idea of anything good coming from death seems cruel. Entertaining the idea feels impossible. That’s normal. It takes time and distance to get a broader, more accurate perspective. It’s worth the trouble to gain it because getting a fresh perspective on this loss can help you endure it and live a more meaningful life.”
9 Innovative & Creative Memorial Ideas
When someone close to you passes on, the grief can feel overwhelming. One of the ways to work through pain is by expressing your feelings through art. You may want to recreate a cherished memory, commission a portrait, or write a song. However, you choose to remember, there is an artistic medium that fits your budget, talents, and taste. Remember your loved one in your own unique way. Let’s look at nine innovative and creative memorial ideas.
2021 Funeral Memorial Ideas
When a loved one passes on, you want to honor their life. Spending time with friends and family can help relieve a bit of the heartbreak. However, funeral memorial ideas can also help you and your loved ones process your grief.
Funeral Options for Non-Traditional Individuals
If you want to plan a funeral or celebration of life, but better or different from the usual kind of traditional funeral, you are not alone. If you’re looking for different ways to celebrate a loved one’s life, or if you want to make a unique kind of plan to celebrate your own life when you’re gone, consider these ideas. Learn about funeral options for non-traditional individuals.
Are Military Funerals Free?
When it comes time to plan a veteran funeral, you may hope for and wonder if military funerals are free. Whether at a national, state, or private cemetery, the Veteran Administration covers some expenses or provides items necessary to remember a veteran well. Learn what is covered, when there is no coverage, and how to apply and check eligibility.
How to Make Memorial Cards
Having a memento from a memorial service can keep the memories and inspiration alive through the years. While funeral homes often provide this service so that you don’t need to think about it, if you have access to a computer and printer, these cards are not difficult to make yourself. Let’s look at the steps required to make and print out your own memorial cards.
Order of Service Template for a Funeral
If someone you love passes away and planning the funeral falls to you, you might feel overwhelmed. You need quick answers for your questions about what to include in the funeral service. Let’s look at an order of service template for a funeral and the purpose behind each part.
What are Mausoleums?
You can find mausoleums in cemeteries, churches, and private or public lands all across the globe. Let’s look at exactly what a mausoleum is, why someone would choose interment there, and how they work.
I Don’t Want a Funeral
If you say, “I don’t want a funeral,” you are not alone. However, “A majority of Americans believe funerals and memorial services are a valuable and important part of healing after the death of a loved one – and that funeral professionals can help them meaningfully honor a life.” Let’s look at why you might want to consider honoring your life through some type of remembrance service.
How to Choose a Headstone
Whether you are planning for your own future or buying a headstone for a loved one, it helps to know more about what is available and how much you can expect to pay. But how do you know if your choice is of lasting quality and will stand the test of time? You can make the process easier by learning about how to choose a monument or headstone.
Choosing a Funeral Home: 7 Essential Questions
The thought of a death in the family strikes fear into the hearts of almost everyone. Choosing a funeral home is not like choosing a car insurance company. Without the knowledge and experience to know what comes next when a family member dies, you need someone to assist with next steps. You and your family need help with the trauma and grief of losing someone you love.
What is a Funeral Trust?
Funeral trusts allow people to pay funeral expenses in advance. With this kind of trust, you set aside a sum for your funeral and burial costs and leave your family with peace of mind about the future.
Estate Planning Basics 2021
Creating an estate plan prepares you and your loved ones for whatever may come, and it is easier than you may think to make yours. Knowing what legal documents you need is half the battle. Learn about estate planning basics in 2021.
Jewish Funeral Customs
According to the History channel, “Judaism is the world’s oldest monotheistic religion, dating back nearly 4,000 years. Followers of Judaism believe in one God revealing himself through ancient prophets.” Jewish culture includes a mourning period known as shiva and other comforting traditions. Let’s look at Jewish funeral customs within this faith tradition.
What Is the Cost of Hospice Care?
Hospice care focuses on helping terminally ill patients live comfortably and includes pain relief care and symptom management. The focus is no longer on getting better or finding a cure, but instead on living well while dying. If you or a loved one are at this point in life, you may wonder about the cost of hospice care. Who will pay for the care you need?
What Does a Funeral Home Do?
If you’ve ever wondered why you need a funeral home to plan and arrange a funeral, it’s a job more significant than you think. There is much planning involved in arranging a funeral. Let’s look at the perspective of a 4th generation funeral director and see, “What does a funeral home do?” on a day-to-day basis.
Does Life Insurance Pay for Funeral Expenses?
It is crucial to plan for your passing so that your loved ones aren’t left making the difficult decisions. This includes planning your funeral and how to pay for it. One myth is that your insurance policy will cover your funeral expenses. However, this is not always the case. If you’re planning now, learn whether life insurance could pay for your funeral expenses.
Is Palliative Care the Same as Hospice?
Anyone with a severe medical condition may choose palliative care, whether they are getting better or not. In this way, it is not the same as hospice care. Let’s look at the differences and similarities between these caring and helpful types of care.
What To Do When a Parent Dies
When a parent dies, it can feel like a foundational structure in your life has suddenly disappeared. In addition, the overwhelming emotional stress can make it challenging to think about what needs to happen next. However, armed with a checklist, you can gradually and steadily make progress. Learn what to do when a parent dies.
What to Say When Someone Dies
You may wonder what to say when someone dies. Is there a magic combination of words or phrases that will make a difference for them as they struggle through grieving their loss? Learn about common ways to comfort grieving families and whether your words can lift and encourage their spirits.
What is a Celebration of Life?
A “celebration of life” is a way to remember a life well-lived while celebrating the beautiful qualities and character of the individual. On the other hand, a funeral service is often a sad and somber occasion focusing on the fact that a person is no longer with us. With a Celebration of Life, there may be less formality, more focus on a life well-lived, stories about the deceased, a relaxed dress code, or a theme around something the person loved.
How Do I Plan an Affordable Cremation?
Cremation is growing in popularity as a choice. According to the NFDA Cremation & Burial Report, “the projected burial rate in 2020 is 37.5% (down 7.7% from 2015) and projected cremation rate is 56.0% (up 8.1% from 2015).” Learn about the ways to make cremation affordable.
Online Funeral Planner
Your life is unique, and your end-of-life celebration should reflect who you are. Let’s look at how you can preplan a funeral for yourself or a loved one who would like your help thinking through this emotionally challenging task. If you’re ready to make a plan now, visit our Online Funeral Planner to make these difficult decisions now so that your family won’t have to make them later.
Condolences Meaning Explained
When someone dies, the depth of the loved ones’ sorrow is difficult to fathom. “My condolences” is an expression acknowledging the pain others experience in a loss. The word “condolences” meaning shows understanding and sympathy that someone is suffering in their loss of a loved one. Let’s look at the gestures that express our “condolences,” to those grieving.
Are a Medical Examiner and Coroner the Same?
Medical Examiners and coroners investigate deaths in mysterious circumstances such as suicide, homicide, or dying alone. In the cases they look at, it is undetermined why or how someone died. But are a medical examiner and a coroner the same?
Memorial Service Ideas
Beyond the traditional funeral is the memorial service. Memorial Service ideas come from our heart’s desire to honor and cherish the life of a loved one. We do so by creating meaningful experiences with our families and friends to share our unique memories. This time together helps us see a bigger picture of the life we were blessed to share on this earth.
How Much Does Cremation Cost?
More people are choosing cremation, and that may be related to its pricetag. But how much does cremation cost? Learn what a typical cremation service costs and what it includes. Let’s break down the associated costs, what is necessary, and what is not.
Private Autopsy Services
In certain cases, the North Carolina Office of Chief Medical Examiner (NC OCME) may not mandate an autopsy for an unattended death; nor will they perform an autopsy upon the request of the family. In other cases, a hospital may not necessitate the need for an autopsy...
Hindu Funeral Traditions
If you wonder what Hindu funeral traditions are like, they can be different from traditional American funerals, but the core fundamentals remain the same. There is a gathering of family and friends who are grieving. There is a process of letting the deceased go and telling them goodbye with prayers and songs. And there are loved ones who suffer from their loss.
Who Can Be Buried in a National Cemetery?
As a Veteran, you may be concerned about how your family will pay for your funeral someday. Veterans, service members, spouses, and dependents may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery. Let’s look at whether you may be eligible for Veteran burial in a National Cemetery and what other benefits may be included.
Buddhist Death Rituals and Funeral Rites
Death rituals and funeral traditions vary as much as different cultures. Buddhism is no different in that there are established protocols unique to this religious tradition just as there are in every other. Let’s take a look at Buddhist Funeral rites and death rituals.
Have You Planned For Medicaid Benefits?
Medicaid can cover the costs of care that your health insurance will not touch. If you start early enough, you can qualify and still have a separate income stream that does not disqualify you from benefits. If you need to qualify now, plan for long-term care by spending down your assets. A funeral preplan is a good way to work toward qualifying for Medicaid.
How to Plan Your Own Funeral
Losing a loved one is hard enough. If the funeral is not already planned, your loved ones must spend countless hours deliberating and coming to an agreement about every detail of your final event. You can go ahead and plan now. Save your family the time and struggle. Consider these questions to make your own plan.
Why Preplan for a Funeral?
We all plan for the big occasions in our lives, like graduations and weddings. When you think about your own funeral, you probably have ideas about how that will look. But if you don’t plan for this last rite of passage, your family and friends may be left confused about how to handle your arrangements.
How to Write an Obituary
An obituary is a tribute to a life that has passed on. It includes facts about birth and death and other milestones of most lives. However, to really honor a life that is no longer with us, you need to include some of the unique personal kinds of remembrances that made the deceased so different from the billions of others who have lived and died on this terrestrial ball.
What are the Types Of Organ Donation?
When you choose to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor, you choose to give others life when you have already lost your own. It is a beautiful and life-affirming decision for your family and for the person who receives your gift of life. Let’s look at the different types of organ donation and how you can enhance and even save other’s lives by choosing to be an organ donor.
