How to Plan a Funeral

A funeral is one of the most important rituals in life. A time of mourning and celebration, a funeral gives family and community the opportunity to come together to say goodbye and pay tribute to one of their own. Whether you have an immediate need for a stately and traditional service, or you are planning ahead to create a unique, individual memorial, these checklists will guide you through the steps of planning a funeral.

What to Wear (and Not) to a Funeral

Society's dress code has rapidly changed in recent decades, and casualwear is acceptable in many places and situations. But what about funerals? Should we still wear black suits and dresses to a funeral, or can we take the "anything goes" approach that we do for many other situations?

12 of the Best Famous Eulogies (Examples for Inspiration)

Writing and delivering a eulogy can be challenging. Most of us are not professional speakers, and grief makes finding the ability to say the right thing even more difficult.

Estate Settlement Guide

Losing a loved one can be incredibly difficult. No matter how prepared we are, saying goodbye is never easy. The responsibility of handling funeral arrangements and personal affairs can be an overwhelming experience.

How to Cope With Grief

Legacy offers advice from leading experts, helpful information related to loss, and to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. , find comfort and inspiration, and begin to heal.

Poems of Mourning and Comfort

Poetry read at a funeral is an eloquent way to pay tribute to the life and legacy of someone you love. For the bereaved, poems about dying, the pain of loss, grief, mourning, the afterlife, or rebirth can bring comfort and be a source of inspiration and hope.

100 Best Examples of Epitaphs

An epitaph is a meaningful tombstone tribute to someone who has died. Here are 100 of the best epitaph examples.

Why We Need Funerals

There are people who declare that they don't want their families and friends to have a funeral for them when they die. "Just cremate me," they say. "I don't want any fuss."

The Cremation Process: How Cremation Works

A step-by-step guide to planning for a cremation.

Condolences: What Do I Say?

When someone you care about has lost a loved one, it can be hard to know what to say when sending condolences. But it's important to say something. Sharing your condolences lets them know you care and offers comfort in one of the hardest times they'll ever experience. It's a loving gesture that means a lot.

Cleaning Out a Loved One's Home: Where to Donate Stuff

Bequeathing extra items to charity is a constructive way to honor a loved one's memory.

Guide to Writing an Obituary

An obituary is a published notice of death, typically seen in a newspaper, that includes a short biography of the life of someone who recently died.

My Un-Suicide Note

Dear Family & Friends,

As Death Gets Closer: The Last Days and Hours at Hospice

I'm honored to stand witness to those intimate, vulnerable moments.

Attending a Funeral: What to Know

Legacy offers advice from experts to help answer all of your funeral etiquette questions: What is the difference between a memorial service and a funeral? What should I say to the deceased's family at the visitation? Does it matter what I wear?

Remembering September 11, 2001

It was the most profound single day of mass grief America had seen in generations. Now, more than twenty years later, the legacy of Sept. 11 is still reverberating through the world. Here are tributes in honor of those who died in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Understanding How Are Cremation Diamonds Made: A Comprehensive Guide

Losing a loved one is one of life’s most profound challenges. Families often search for a way to carry their memory forward, not only in their hearts but in something tangible they can hold onto. Cremation diamonds, also called memorial diamonds, have emerged as a deeply meaningful option. They transform ashes or hair into a gemstone that can be cherished for generations.

Give to support the Texas flood relief effort

Legacy's hearts go out to the families suffering unspeakable losses in Texas Hill Country this week, where more than 120 people died in tragic flash floods during the Fourth of July weekend.

How Much Does Cremation Cost?

has become very popular in recent years. In a 2024 report from the National Funeral Directors Association, 61.9% of Americans were projected to choose cremation versus 33.2% who were expected to opt for a traditional burial. One reason for this is that cremation is usually less expensive than burial.

How to Find a Crematory

If you’re making final plans for yourself or a loved one, and cremation is part of the plan, you’ll need to find a crematory. This is the location where the cremation takes place.

Arranging the Interment of Ashes

Interment of ashes is when cremated remains are buried in the ground or placed in a building designed to hold ashes, known as a columbarium. This is an option if you prefer not to scatter them or display them in your home.

How to Plan an Ash-Scattering Ceremony

There are many options for holding a memorial service after a cremation.

Burial and Cremation Alternatives

Our guide to the most common alternatives to standard burial or cremation.

Where Can I Scatter My Loved One's Ashes Legally?

Guidelines on where it is and isn't okay to scatter cremated remains and whether you need permission.

Burial vs. Cremation: Pros, Cons, and How to Decide the Best Option

“Do I want to be buried or cremated?” is a decision we all must face in the end. 

George Foreman (1949–2025), heavyweight boxing champion

George Foreman was the two-time heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medalist who later parlayed his fame into a successful entrepreneurial career.

Wings Hauser (1947–2025), Vice Squad actor

Wings Hauser was a character actor whose many roles spanned decades and included parts in “Vice Squad,” “Beverly Hills 90210,” “Roseanne,” and many other productions.

Eddie Jordan (1948–2025), Formula One team owner

Eddie Jordan was a businessman who founded Jordan Grand Prix, which helped launch seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher’s career, and a television commentator for the BBC.

Derrick Gaffney (1955–2025), New York Jets wide receiver

Derrick Gaffney was a wide receiver for the New York Jets in the 1970s and ‘80s.

Carole D’Andrea (1937–2025), West Side Story actress 

Carole D’Andrea was an actress who originated the role of Velma in “West Side Story” on Broadway, then also played her in the 1961 film adaptation.

Lenny Schultz (1933–2025), stand-up comedian

Lenny Schultz was a stand-up comedian whose frenetic physical comedy influenced later comedians like , , and Carrot Top.

Jesse Colin Young (1941–2025), Youngbloods frontman

Jesse Colin Young was the founder and frontman of the band the Youngbloods, best known for their enduring classic about peace, “Get Together,” originally written by Chet Powers.0

Ron Nessen (1934–2025), press secretary for Gerald Ford

Ron Nessen was a journalist best known for serving as press secretary for President Gerald Ford in the years immediately following the Watergate scandal, when American trust in government institutions was at a low point.

Nita Lowey (1937–2025), former U.S. representative from New York

Nita Lowey represented New York as a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1989 to 2021.

Slick Watts (1951–2025), beloved Seattle SuperSonics player

Slick Watts was a fan-favorite basketball player of the 1970s best known for his tenure with the Seattle SuperSonics, his skills on the court, and his distinctive headbands.

Larry Buendorf (1937–2025), agent who saved President Ford

Larry Buendorf was a Secret Service agent who wrestled a gun away from a would-be assassin intent on killing . 

Doug Kiker (2025), American Idol contestant

Doug Kiker was a contestant on season 18 of “American Idol,” remembered for performing with Rascal Flatts in the season finale.

John Feinstein (1955–2025), sportswriter and commentator

John Feinstein was a sportswriter and commentator best known for his long tenure as a Washington Post columnist, as well as the author of such books as “A Season on the Brink,” which chronicles a year of the of Indiana University's men's basketball team and its volatile coach, .

Raíºl Grijalva (1948–2025), U.S. representative from Arizona

Raíºl Grijalva was a Democrat who represented Arizona in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003 until his death.

Alan Simpson (1931–2024), longtime U.S. senator from Wyoming 

Alan Simpson was a longtime Republican politician from Wyoming best known for his tenure in the U.S. Senate, which included a decade as Senate whip.

Oliver Miller (1970–2025), nine-year NBA veteran

Oliver Miller was a University of Arkansas star and Southwest Conference Player of the Year who went on to a nine-year career in the NBA.

Bob Rivers (1956–2025), radio DJ and parody songwriter

Bob Rivers was a noted radio DJ in Seattle and other cities, known more widely for musical parodies that included his 1988 “Twisted Christmas” album.

Junior Bridgeman (1953–2025), Milwaukee Bucks co-owner

Junior Bridgeman was a former NBA player who went on to become a successful entrepreneur, owner of Ebony and Jet magazines, and co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Cocoa Tea (1959–2025), reggae icon

Cocoa Tea was an iconic reggae singer-songwriter best known for his smooth voice and his acclaimed record and single, “Riker’s Island.” 

Alysha Burney (2000–2025), social media star

Alysha Burney was a star of YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, where millions of followers watched her comedy videos.

Melody Beattie (1948–2025), Codependent No More author

Melody Beattie was an author best known for her self-help books, including “Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself,” which sold more than seven million copies.

Craig Wolfley (1958–2025), Steelers player and broadcaster

Craig Wolfley was a 12-year NFL veteran who spent most of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, then became a broadcaster for the team.

Simon Fisher-Becker (1961–2025), Doctor Who actor

Simon Fisher-Becker was an English character actor known for his roles in “Doctor Who” and “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” 

Gene Winfield (1927–2025), custom car designer for movies and TV

Gene Winfield was an icon of the custom car community whose designs were seen in such movies and TV shows as “Blade Runner,” “Star Trek,” and “Bewitched.”