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."

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. 

How the Pandemic Is Changing Funerals

As the covid-19 pandemic changes the way we live and interact, . Funeral directors have rapidly responded to calls for social distancing by offering , including livestreaming, recordings, and outdoor funerals with a six-foot buffer between attendees. These new solutions have attracted notice and made headlines around the world. Here’s what newspapers and other news sources are saying about funerals in the age of covid-19.

How to Pre-Plan a Funeral

Planning your own funeral may not be easy, but deciding your funeral arrangements in advance can give peace of mind to your family when the time comes. Learn why funeral pre-planning is helpful, then use our detailed checklist to guide you through the steps of pre-planning a funeral. 

What to Wear to a Funeral (video)

This guide explains how to choose appropriate clothing for funerals and memorial services in today’s more casual world. It outlines respectful attire options for women, men, and children, with additional guidance for seasonal services, family members, and funerals with specific dress requests. Emphasizing modesty, neutral colors, and consideration for the grieving family, the article also clarifies what to avoid wearing and offers practical advice for situations where expectations are unclear. Overall, it helps readers balance personal comfort with tradition and respect, ensuring their appearance supports—not distracts from—the purpose of the service.

What Makes a Good Funeral?

Have you ever been to a really good funeral? No, that doesn't have to be an oxymoron — a good funeral is a real thing, and it's something we should all hope to achieve for ourselves and our loved ones.

11 Unique Funeral Venues

More families are choosing personalized memorial celebrations of life. Here are some options.

How to Choose a Pallbearer

Serving as pallbearer is a position of honor. Here are tips on who to ask.

Tips and Advice for Pallbearers

Serving as a pallbearer is a serious job, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming.

Jewish Funeral Service Rituals

Will you be attending a Jewish funeral for the first time? If so, you may have questions or be unsure what to expect. Here is a general overview of Jewish customs and traditions surrounding death, burial, and mourning to be aware of when attending a funeral in the Jewish faith. 

Top Funeral Songs 🎵

This article examines the deep emotional connection between music and funerals, explaining how songs and hymns help families honor loved ones, process grief, and find comfort during memorial services. It presents a curated list of 76 popular funeral and celebration-of-life songs, organized by themes such as remembering parents, partners, or children, as well as religious, uplifting, humorous, love, and alternative music choices. The article serves as a practical guide for selecting meaningful music that reflects personal memories and supports emotional healing.

What Is a Green Burial or Natural Funeral?

The basic point of a natural or "green" burial is to tread as lightly on the earth as possible with the way we lay a body to rest.

The Embalming Process: How it Works

Embalming is a process performed by licensed funeral professionals that slows the decomposition of a human body after death by adding chemicals to replace bodily fluids. It's typically chosen by families that wish to have an open-casket funeral service.

What Is a Eulogy?

A eulogy is a remembrance speech that pays tribute to someone who has died.

Video: Green Funerals and Natural Burials

As a ‘green funeral’ trend grows in popularity, more people are planning burials that emphasize an organic return to the earth.

Green Funerals and Natural Burial (Video Transcription)

Funeral director Shari Wolf of Natural Grace Funerals in Los Angeles discusses environmentally friendly death care options for families.