Music has the ability to express and evoke emotions, and can be an ideal way to memorialize your loved one in the manner they want to be remembered. When planning a memorial service, the music you choose to play could have the ability to stimulate pleasant memories about your loved one in those attending the service, while also allowing them to mourn and grieve in an honorable manner. The…

  When we lose a loved one and arrange for cremation, we are gifted with the opportunity to distribute ashes in multiple different ways. We may decide to scatter a portion of the ashes at our loved one’s favorite places, and reserve another portion for use or placement in an urn, jewelry, or other keepsake. A business based in Newport, Minnesota, called Eternal Ware has found a new creative way…

  Within the last decade, cremation has become increasingly popular due to its affordable costs, which are often significantly lower than traditional burial costs by several thousand dollars. The average cost of a cremation can range anywhere from $600 to $3,000, whereas the cost of a funeral with burial usually averages about $10,000. Ten years ago, only 27 percent of Americans chose cremation over funerals. Today, that number has risen…

  After having received the ashes of your late loved one, you may feel overwhelmed with possibilities when it comes to deciding how you want to scatter their cremains. Sometimes before they pass, your loved one will specify where and how they want their cremains scattered. But most of the time, you’ll be faced with trying to figure out the most ideal location or method that will respectably honor your…

  If your loved one is going to be cremated, you can still arrange to have a funeral or memorial service with an open casket viewing. In most cases, cremation and burial societies will allow you to use a rental casket to help you save money on new casket fees, which can be quite costly (unless you’ve chosen simple cremations). A rental casket is a temporary casket that your loved…

  After your loved one has been cremated, you may need to travel with their ashes by plane if you live in a different state or country, or if your loved one has requested to have their ashes scattered at a specific location. When traveling by air, you must adhere to the guidelines enforced by your airport and airline regarding the transport of cremains to ensure that you have a…

  Planning your own cremation service in advance may seem like a morbid task for some and might be the last thing you want to think about. However, pre-planning a cremation service can really help out your loved ones when your time finally comes, and can help them make decisions when it comes to finalizing the details of your service as well as how and where you would like to…

  The eulogy is often one of the most important parts of a memorial service for a cremation or funeral. When written honestly from the heart, a eulogy can help friends and family remember and celebrate your loved one’s life, while also grieving in the process. After your loved one has passed, it can sometimes be difficult to find the strength and mental clarity to write and compose a meaningful…

  Sometimes you may feel that a memorial or funeral service is just not enough when it comes to fully celebrating the life of your loved one. If your loved one had a special interest, passion, or hobby, then you might be inclined to memorialize your loved one using far more creative means. Perhaps you might already have scattered their cremains, and feel that you’re just not quite ready to…

  Years ago, funerals and memorial services were kept traditional and standard, and nearly all services were identical to one another. Today, as cremation continues to grow more popular, more people are starting to realize and understand that a memorial service is a great way to celebrate the unique traits and lives that had once belonged to our loved ones. When planning the memorial service for your loved one, you…