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6 of the Longest-Lasting Flower Choices for Graves
When visiting the gravesite of a loved one, many people feel comforted by bringing a gift to leave behind. This typically takes the form of flowers, bouquets, and wreaths. Not only are flowers a beautiful decoration, but they also have powerful symbolic meanings that can help us feel more connected to the ones we have lost. That being said, flowers have one major downside, and that is their longevity. After being cut, a flower will slowly wilt, with some flowers lasting only a couple of hours. If you are looking to honor a deceased loved one, here are 6 beautiful…
What to Know Before Choosing an Urn
For those in charge of the funerary decisions for their loved ones, cremation is becoming an increasingly popular option. After being cremated, the person’s remains (also called ashes) are placed in an urn for safekeeping and memorial purposes. Though the crematorium provides a “temporary” urn to transfer the remains, most people choose to upgrade this urn and find a more sentimental container for their loved one. But with all the options on the market, it can sometimes be overwhelming to make a decision. Here are a few things you should know before choosing an urn: The material of the…
How to Apply for an Official Veteran Grave Marker
In the past, only veterans buried in a national cemetery were eligible for a military grave marker provided by the government. Since World War I, this has changed, and any eligible veteran may be honored in this way. A military headstone, niche marker, or medallion is a great way to honor the life and service of your deceased loved one. However, these options can be a little overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. Here is everything you need to know about applying for an official veteran grave marker: Who Is Eligible? There are several requirements that must be…
How Long Does It Take to Get a Headstone?
Losing a loved one is a highly emotional event, and the grieving process looks different for each individual. For many people, they feel they can begin to fully process their grief once there is a completed headstone on the grave. This gives them a place to visit when they’re needing to feel close to the departed person, and that headstone is a tangible reminder. Because the headstone serves as such a lasting symbol for many families, we often get asked how long it takes to get a headstone fully completed and installed at a grave site. The answer to this…
Can I Scatter My Loved One’s Ashes at a National Park?
Choosing to be cremated is an important decision for many people. For some, it’s because they want their loved ones to be able to carry a reminder of them everywhere they go. For others, they simply don’t want to be buried. And for some people, it’s because they have a very specific idea of where they want their ashes scattered. While some people may elect to have their ashes scattered at sea, or in their country of origin, many people decide that they want their ashes to be spread inside a national park. They may have a deep connection to…
7 Tips for Writing an Obituary
An obituary is often the last record of a person’s life; it’s a place where all their accomplishments and interests are collected in one column for all the world to see. If you’re faced with writing an obituary for a loved one – or even yourself, if you so choose – the challenge is always balancing the facts with interesting tidbits. And knowing just how much space you have to work with. Here are 7 tips for writing an obituary: Know Your Limits Many newspapers that run obituaries charge a premium for fancy write-ups, sometimes per word or per letter….
6 Tips for Proper Cemetery Etiquette
Visiting a cemetery means you’re entering a place where people come to grieve and remember their loved ones who have passed. Because of this, it’s important to maintain proper etiquette when visiting any cemetery. Here are 6 tips for maintaining proper cemetery etiquette, whether it’s your first time visiting one or you’ve been many times: Understand the Rules All cemeteries have slightly different rules, especially when it comes to leaving remembrances or the hours that visitors are permitted. Many cemeteries have websites that list a lot of the crucial information you’ll need when visiting, but you also can call the…
How to Protect a Memorial Marker in Winter
Headstones and memorial markers are made of stone for a reason: They’re built to last decades. However, time and harsh weather conditions lead to degradation and weathering of headstones, making them more brittle and more difficult to read. If you want to help protect your loved one’s headstone during the cold winter months, here are some things you can do: Clean Annually All headstones, regardless of material used for construction, should be cleaned once per year. If your loved one’s headstone is located where it routinely gets dirty and grimy, you may need to switch to cleaning the stone twice…
5 Things to Remember When Preparing a Will
Drafting a will is an important part of preparing your affairs so your loved ones have less to deal with when you pass away. It’s an important document to have prepared and ready, decreasing the stress and worry your family may face. And while the focus may be on determining who receives what assets in your will, there are several other things you must keep in mind during the will-making process. If you’re preparing your will, here are 5 things you need to keep in mind: Don’t Completely DIY It Your will is much more than just a listing of…
What’s Involved in the Cremation Process?
Cremation is becoming an increasingly more popular choice for Americans, with more than 50 percent of people who died in 2019 being cremated. And while those numbers are increasing steadily, many people still don’t fully understand what choosing cremation means and, as a result, they shy away from it. To help demystify cremation a bit, here’s what’s involved in the cremation process: Identification & Authorization The first step toward cremating a body is proper identification by the facility performing the cremation. Authorization to cremate the body must also be obtained, usually through consent from the deceased’s family. Identification differs from…