Funeral Planning

These days with the term “memorial service” more common, we are often asked just what the difference is between a funeral and a memorial service? A funeral service and a memorial service both serve the same purpose – they are the ritual through which we formerly say goodbye to our departed loved one. Both can … Read more

This is becoming an increasing dilemma today with funeral trust funds not always delivering, and the economy in such a dire state that so many are feeling the effects. Today more families are finding themselves dealing with something near a crisis when a family member dies without a funeral plan or any money to pay … Read more

The first thing to remember is that a befitting and dignified funeral does not have to cost you a fortune. How much you payout for funeral services is not a reflection of how much you cared about someone. The most important aspect of conducting a funeral service is to enable family and friends to be … Read more

Funeral services can be expensive. The National Funeral Directors Association estimates the average cost of a funeral today at $7,360, and for those who simply have no cash resources, paying for funeral expenses can put them into crisis. Traditionally funeral homes would ask for “cash advances” when negotiating a funeral contract with a customer. Cash … Read more

We often get asked the question “What does the average funeral cost?” Of course, quoting an average price can be difficult as funeral prices do vary significantly, depending upon both an area and a funeral provider. Like many other commodities in our society, the average cost of a funeral has increased steadily over the last … Read more

Everyone knows they are going to die sooner or later. While we all hope it is “later”, we should put our affairs in order for the benefit of our loved ones. Great comfort can be achieved by knowing that advance planning for the inevitable will have eased the trauma of your passing for your family. … Read more

Most of us do not like to think about the need to create a will, it is often something we defer in our younger years, feeling it is not really necessary. However, if someone dies without a will, things can get very complicated for remaining family. It certainly helps if you have taken the time … Read more

It is no easy task to effectively plan and prepare for a funeral, especially if you are in a heightened emotional state following a bereavement. If the death was unexpected, then you are thrust into planning the funeral with very little time, and although it makes the task no easier if you were dealing with … Read more

Planning a funeral service can be a daunting task. There are a number of preparations to co-ordinate, important documentation to be located and completed, decisions to be made – and all this often in a short timescale. To help you we have listed below 5 top tips to help you plan a dignified, yet affordable, … Read more

Funerals can be unnecessarily expensive, in fact so much so, that a funeral is usually the 3rd or 4th largest single purchase you will make in your life behind a house, a wedding and a car. Now would you go and purchase a house, or a car, without any research or planning? No, of course … Read more

The following funeral planning guide is designed to highlight many of the immediate decisions that need to be made when planning a simple, affordable funeral service. Did the deceased make any provisions for what they would like to happen when they die? This could include a funeral plan with a local funeral home, whereby they … Read more

The funeral industry has traditionally been slow to adapt to change. There are still funeral homes without a website. To those of us whose livelihood is based online, and better still spend the greater part of our working day ‘plugged in’, the notion of life without the Internet just seems…well unimaginable today. Although many funeral … Read more

So you’ve been named an executor of an estate, but what does that really mean? An executor is the person in charge of someone’s affairs after they die. This can include tasks such as making sure the deceased’s will is followed, cleaning out and selling a home, closing accounts and keeping the peace among beneficiaries, … Read more

Understanding the ritual of a Jewish funeral How is the body prepared for a Jewish funeral? The Jewish Funeral Service Jewish Customs and Rituals that follow the burial Shiva – the immediate period of mourning after the death has occurred Shloshim – the following period of mourning Yahrzeit – the anniversary of the death Can … Read more