Burials

Ten years ago, our nation suffered the loss of a tragic icon whose popularity and fame had brought him to superstar status. On July 16, 1999, John F. Kennedy Jr. died in a fatal airplane...

Shrouds have been in existence since ancient times. There are two primary styles of shrouds: the shroud that is wound and the shroud that is sewn like a type of fabric bag. The Egyptians used...

Symbolism fills cemeteries, and the headstones reveal a bit about the people buried there. Knowledge of headstone symbolism can help unlock the stories. One such tradition is leaving coins on...

Leaving flowers or a flag at a headstone are wonderful ways to show love for your late loved ones. Another good way to demonstrate love and respect is to clean the headstone. Over time, even the...

A sudden death happens quickly and unexpectedly. When someone hears that a loved one has been a victim of sudden death, such as a miscarriage, murder or traumatic accident, they often undergo...

Losing a loved one is often devastating; handling the responsibilities of the estate after a death can be overwhelming. In addition to handling the burial, notifications need to be made to other...

You can honor a departed pet or human family member by adding a Laser Engraved Plaque to an existing headstone and save hundreds to a thousand or more dollars in the process.

The United States government provides a free US flag to drape a casket, accompany an urn, or for other use at a funeral to honor a Veteran. Here's how to get one.

Coping with the death of a loved one is often difficult and painful. When you hold feelings of guilt regarding the death, feelings of pain and loss are exacerbated. If you feel guilt for the...

Since the discovery of the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, the ancient Egyptians have held a certain spell over the public. The fascination with both tombs and their contents has captured the...

You want to keep your loved one's monument attractive. This is a way you honor them and their memory, and you want to do it right and not harm this symbol of their life. Cleaning monuments can be...

Granite grave markers are exposed to the outdoor elements on a daily basis, so it would stand to reason that the granite will need to be cleaned from time to time. Cleaning the granite grave...

Why would you consider burial on private property? Funerals costing nearly $10,000? Feeling the loss of an important ritual in your life cycle? Want to care for your own family? Fed up with...

The U.S. Department of Defense, under the "Honoring Those Who Served" program, is responsible for providing distinguished military funeral honors to veterans who have served in the military....

While many Native American tribes built mounds, most of the mounds in East Texas were created by the Caddo people. The Caddo constructed three types: temple, platform and burial. All were...

Coping with the death of a family member or friend is among the most challenging emotions one can face. Offering condolences does not come easy for most. What do you say or not say? How can you...

Though many states contain specific laws on exhumation, the only known federal law on the subject is the Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) of 1990.

The presentation of a United States flag at a service member's or veteran's funeral is part of a ceremony called "military funeral honors." Arranging for military honors at a loved one's funeral...

Few things can be as important in life as keeping alive the memories and experiences you have had with loved ones, even after they have passed on. Headstones serve as memorials to our deceased...

It is one of the saddest things to have to do in life; put down your loved dog. There are so many things to consider when putting your dog to sleep. If you are in need of advice in this...

A vault and a safe do have one thing in common: They are designed to store things. However, there are some differences that distinguish one from the other.

Cemeteries are places where we go to commemorate our passed-away relatives and friends. Florida has numerous known, unknown, unofficial and abandoned cemeteries and burial sites inside its state...

The history of stone grave markers goes back thousands of years. The Greeks and Romans used stone monuments to honor the dead and prevent graves from being disturbed. In America, gravestone...

According to Jonathan Appell of New England Cemetery Services, acid rain is the fastest growing destructive force affecting cemeteries today. When left unchecked, acid rain can completely destroy...

Grief, despair and a deep sense of loss accompany the death of a loved one under any circumstances. When a person witnesses the violent death of someone she cares about, the emotional turmoil...

The Social Security Administration makes a one time payment of $255 at the time of a person's death. There are guidelines and acceptance policies that must be met before the death benefit payment...

If you or a loved one is in the process of dying, and you have no money, and no insurance, then consider contacting your county for an indigent burial. Most families who are in a crisis, don’t...

A gravestone is a monument that is placed on the grave of a deceased loved one. Changing a gravestone can be a lengthy process, involving decisions from the lettering to the type of stone used....

The loss of a loved one is very difficult at any age. Young children may not fully understand the permanence of death and may have questions when faced with the loss of a loved one. However, you...

Whether visiting gravestones is a hobby or caring for those of loved ones is a responsibility, there are a few simple steps that should be taken to ensure that cemetery stones are cleaned and...

The idea of pre-planning end-of-life decisions and buying funeral insurance or plans is not new. With funeral costs in the $10,000 and higher range, it may be worth your time to evaluate. If you...

Information to help you plan and prepare for a funeral after the loss of a loved one.

Funeral costs for one person can easily run $8,000... NOT INCLUDING a burial plot, gravestone or flowers. When decisions about funerals are not made ahead of time, survivors are faced with...

It is the stuff of Hollywood films like "The Mummy." An ancient book is found---but must never be read, or else terrible catastrophes will befall the world. In reality, the Egyptian "Book of the...

Mausoleums are freestanding, architectural monuments that house the burial site, burial chamber or cremated remains of a deceased person or persons. Going back to antiquity, such famous structures...

The widow, widower or spouse of a veteran of the U.S. armed services may be entitled to certain burial benefits from the government.

Now you've really done it, you just murdered someone. But fear not! Whether your victim was a prostitute, bum, or nagging wife; clear up your unfortunate situation by *executing* these easy steps!

After a loved one passes away, a grave marker is used to mark where he has been buried in a cemetery. Choosing what adorns the grave marker should be carefully considered. From writings to...

It is difficult to even think about the loss of a loved one, but in the event that you have to address the issue of a burial, it is important to have as much information as possible about the casket.

Choosing a headstone for your loved one is a personal choice; however, most cemeteries have specific guidelines on headstone appearance. Rules and regulations can differ with cemeteries, so...

Canopic jars were employed by the ancient Egyptians during mummification rituals as containers which held the bandaged viscera of the deceased. The Egyptians removed the viscera before starting...

The Department of Veterans Affairs is the government agency charged with the administration of veterans' funeral benefits. It also operates the National Cemetery Administration, which is in charge...

Arlington National Cemetery makes it easy for family members to schedule funeral services for loved ones. However, to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery, the deceased individual must meet...

Fossils are the remains of creatures that died thousands to millions of years ago. In most cases, a fossil consists of the remains of a hard part of a creature: the shell, teeth or bones. However,...

As time passes, the bronze headstone beneath which a loved one is buried may deteriorate due to the elements. Build-up from hard water, dirt, dust or fungus may develop on bronze headstones. These...

Christians believe that death is not the end of their being, but rather a graduation to be in the presence of Jesus. The Christian funeral service should be planned as a time to show honor,...

Choosing what to write on a loved one's headstone is often a very difficult task. You want to choose something that has special meaning to the family and friends of the deceased. You also want to...

When a person suffers the loss of a loved one, grief counseling and grief therapy can be beneficial to their recovery. Grief is a process that each person experiences differently. Some people need...

The choice of what to put on a loved one's gravestone can be a confusing matter at an emotionally difficult time. You want to be sure that it will adequately mark the grave and honor your loved...

Deciding what should go on a loved one's headstone is often a very emotional and difficult task. Because the headstone will mark the final resting place of your friend or family member, it is...