A eulogy is a speech in praise of a person who has died. One of the most important elements of a funeral, it can be given by a family member, friend of the departed or religious leader.
The wake traditionally involved a period of time when friends and relatives literally stayed awake with the body of the deceased until it was taken to the church for the funeral or to the cemetery...
Planning a funeral is a difficult task, in which you must consider the wishes of the deceased as well as the survivors.
An obituary is usually written in paragraph form and charts the life of the deceased in chronological order. It should focus on accomplishments of the deceased person and the impact that person...
An obituary announces a person's death and gives a brief description of his or her life. Obituaries also list when and where a funeral or service will take place.
A funeral home usually makes all the necessary phone calls, contacts the appropriate agencies and obtains permits for cremations. It is important to know, however, that you are not legally...
A graveside service is called "direct burial" by the funeral industry. In addition to being much less costly than a funeral, it can be a warm and informal way for friends and loved ones to honor...
Purchasing a burial plot can be done far ahead of time or at the time of an impending funeral. Usually, the funeral home handling the funeral can arrange to purchase the plot, but you can do it...
Choosing a marker or stone for your loved one's grave is something that you should do with great care and consideration. The stone will stand for generations as a reminder of the life of the deceased.
Cremation allows for more options and can be less expensive than a burial, but if the family wants a viewing and a traditional funeral, burial may be the wisest choice.
The choice is up to you or up to the deceased, if instructions have been left for family members. Remember to shop wisely and within your means.
Jewish law requires that close relatives of a deceased person sit shiva for seven days and sets forth very detailed instructions for their conduct. Visitors to the house of mourning also are...
Being a pallbearer is a weighty responsibility. Practice an upbeat attitude while maintaining the respectful stoicism that funerals require. Remember that you are a representative of the family of...
Some people find peace in knowing where they will eventually rest in peace. Work with a funeral home to prearrange a purchase, and expect to spend between $350 and $3,000 for a plot. As with...
It's difficult to arrange a dignified and appropriate service for someone you love when you're suffering their loss. Take a steady friend or relative with you to help sort it all out.
Whoever lies beneath the gravestone in Key West, Florida, with an epitaph
that reads "I told you I was sick" obviously planned ahead. Most
people don't prepare for their own death. Using a "road...
Green burial is the final, natural step to living a green life. Natural burial grounds, eco-cemeteries, woodland cemeteries and memorial nature preserves offer earth-friendly alternatives to...
The main difference between a funeral and a memorial service is that the memorial service is done without the presence of the body, and is usually focused more on the person’s life than on their...
There are few things in life more devastating than the death of a child, and planning a funeral for a child while you are still in mourning is difficult. If you are in this situation, then you are...
Losing a spouse is like losing a half of yourself and for many of us, the pain and difficulty of making any decisions without the input of a beloved husband or wife can seem overwhelming. It seems...
(113)
(86)
(33)
(265)
Advice on planning a funeral, burial or memorial service is available from eHow. Want to help ease the burden on your loved ones during a difficult time? eHow can show you how to write a living will, buy a gravestone, purchase a burial plot or plan for a cremation. Helping a grieving friend? eHow can show you how to create a gift basket for someone in mourning or provide you with advice on paying a shiva call.
