Funeral Planning

Family and friends getting together to honor a loved one’s life is one of the most important steps in the grieving and healing process.  You may opt to have a traditional religious or military service, or as more and more people are doing, you can choose to have a non-traditional ‘life celebration’.   

Decisions need to be made about the location of the funeral, the choice of casket or urn and who the pallbearers should be.  Another decision to make is who will be officiating the service.  You can choose to have a minister (or other religious leader) or a celebrant officiate the service.  The difference between a minister and a celebrant is a celebrant is non-denominational. 

Whatever you choose, some sort of service is expected from family and friends of the deceased.  We are here to help create a unique and memorable service that people will remember fondly for years to come.

When Death Occurs

Whether a death is sudden or expected, the loss of a loved one is indescribable. When you are in a heightened emotional state, even the most basic decisions can seem staggering. This section seeks to guide you through the immediate hours following a passing.

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Burial Service

Traditionally, a burial service involves a visitation and is followed by a funeral service.  While the casket is typically present at both these events, it is your decision whether to have the casket open. You then have a number of options for interment. 

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Cremation Services

Cremation is an increasingly popular option for many people, serving as an alternative to burial. Reasons for preferring cremation vary. Some religions request it, while other people consider it more environmentally conscious. Some may simply like the idea of cremation more. During cremation, the remains are placed in a special furnace and reduced to resemble coarse sand.

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Eulogies and Obituaries

Giving a meaningful, moving eulogy can be a nerve-wracking situation for even the most accomplished public speaker, but it need not be.  This guide will provide you with the information you need to strike the right balance of emotion and lightheartedness.

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Funeral Etiquette

Like everything in society, funeral etiquette has evolved over time.  While common sense is your best guide, here are a few dos and don'ts of funeral etiquette.

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