Funeral

September 11 2020

How to Write A Beautiful Obituary?

A woman scattering the ashes of her loved ones.

Published September 11, 2020

“The spoken word is ephemeral. The written word, eternal. A symphony, timeless.” – A.E. Samaan

One of the most remarkable ways to immortalize someone’s legacy is through writing. There’s just this sense of permanency and perpetuity about putting pen to paper that makes it so beautiful and comforting.

An obituary is designed to acknowledge someone’s passing while reflecting on the life they lived while alive. It can be short and straightforward, informing people of their death, their surviving loved ones, and their funeral details. But obituaries can be so much more than that; they can be powerful and moving or light and comical or serious and somber. Whatever the case, you should know that there are many ways to write an obituary to capture the essence of someone’s life in full.

What details should an obituary contain?

When writing an obituary, there is some essential information you’ll want to include. These serve as the backbone of your piece, providing a stable foundation for you to play around. Generally, you’ll want to include six items standard for any obituary, and these are:

Personal Information: This includes all the basic information about a person, including their name, age, and birthplace.
Announcement of death: This part sheds light on how the person died and when they died. It could include the date, place, time, and cause of death (optional).
Significant life events and details: You’ll want to list down several significant elements, including hometown and other places they lived, employers and positions they held, military service and rank (if applicable), school and degrees and honors earned, favorite hobbies and interests, and memberships or organizations they were a part of.
Surviving family members to list: Include immediate family members first: children and spouse, followed by siblings and parents, then more distant relatives in grandparents and cousins.
Funeral/Wake/Memorial details: Mention the date and time these events will take place, who are invited, and what to bring (i.e., potluck dinner).
Flower and Financial donation information: You’ll want to specify where you want the flower and financial donations to be sent. Additionally, if you designate a specific charity to receive donations, mention them too.
Photos

A woman scattering the ashes of a loved one in the ocean.

Who should write the obituary?

You have many options as to who will write the obituary. You can select someone from the family to write a personal piece, making it much more intimate. Alternatively, you could hire a professional writer to write it. You’ll simply have to provide them with all the necessary information your family would like included in the obituary, and you’ll have an obituary that will most likely be more than presentable.

We recommend the former, as this could greatly help the grieving process. A fantastic example of an obit written by a family member is this one for a man named Joe Heller. This particular obit effortlessly balanced humor with reverence, creating a heartwarming and cheerful story, which most likely reflected who Joe Heller was when he was alive. This obit became immensely popular among professional writers because of its wit, which was borderline offensive. If someone was especially close to the deceased, they might make a great candidate for this role if they are willing, being the most capable of capturing who the departed was.

However, there is nothing wrong with having a professional writer or funeral director write it for you. We understand how difficult it can be to lose someone, and gathering up the strength and stability to write a good piece may be too difficult for some. It is absolutely acceptable to come up with a straightforward, no-frills obit.

How do I make an obituary more beautiful and personal?

The trick that most professional writers would recommend is to think of five central words you associate with the deceased. These words provide your obituary its primary theme and voice, allowing you to share details of the person’s life accordingly.

What made Heller’s obituary so engaging is that it delivers all the necessary information with a refreshing twist. Instead of the usual monotonous obits, it became more of a eulogy, exuding tons of character. It would be best if you also tried to reach out to other intimate friends and family to get stories they want to share. Keeping in mind the obit’s central theme, you should share the anecdotes in line with those.

Of course, there isn’t one rigid format you ought to follow when making an obituary, but there are tons of templates online for you to check out if you need the extra help. We hope that this article helped clear up some questions you may have had before reading this.

Interested In Our Services?

Here at Big Blue Sea Services we take memorial services seriously. Book a time with us to scatter ashes at sea off the coast of Florida with your friends and family present. Our charters are sure to make the moment a memorable experience.

About The Author

Terrence Tan Ting is an industrial engineer by profession but a full time writer by passion. He loves to write about a wide range of topics from many different industries thanks to his undying curiosity.

September 11 2020

How Long Should a Funeral Last?

bigblue223 Funeral 0

Published September 11, 2020

If you’ve never attended a funeral, you might be wondering how long one lasts. Generally, funerals last about an hour or two, but some may last a few days for some cultures or religions. The duration of a funeral service will vary depending on the program of activities planned. A typical sequence of events during a funeral is the processional, followed by prayer and scripture reading, reading of the obituary, eulogies, and the recessional.

But why is knowing the duration of a funeral important? The reason isn’t all that deep. It’s always good to know how long any event will last so that guests can adjust their schedules accordingly. Additionally, guests can arrange their transport to and from the venue ahead of time.

Here are some relevant factors that contribute to the length of a funeral service:

Religion and Culture

Religious practices are the biggest reasons for many services lasting longer than others. Different religions may have various rites that are necessary for the deceased to rest in peace. If you know the deceased personally, you probably know what religion they practiced, allowing you to estimate their funeral duration.

Listed below are a few commonly practiced religions and their corresponding durations and other things you should expect.

Catholic funerals: Catholic funerals usually celebrate the holy eucharist or mass. These can last up to over an hour, so the funeral service itself will last even longer than that. It isn’t uncommon for the family to host a reception afterward.

Christian funerals: Christian funerals may include a service that lasts somewhere between 30 minutes long to an hour. A reception may also follow this affair.

Hindu funerals: Hindu funerals can be quite a contrast from Christian and Catholic ones. First, Hindu funerals usually take place within 24 hours of the death of a loved one. And instead of the somber and gloomy atmosphere, you might experience at a Catholic funeral, Hindu funerals are quite lively. They’ll include several traditional practices and rituals, and these can last a few hours.

Muslim funerals: Muslim funerals almost immediately follow the death of a loved one. Traditionally, Muslim funerals can last between one to three hours, followed by a visitation.

Jewish funerals: Jewish funerals traditionally take place one day after the death of a loved one. Theirs is a closed-casket one with a rabbi delivering a brief, reflective, and solemn message for the dead. Jewish funerals typically do not exceed an hour. This is followed by a casual reception, likely in the family’s home.

Buddhist funerals: Buddhist funerals are the most unique on this list because they don’t require strict guidelines to be followed. You can expect some prayers and meditation at a ceremony like this, though.

Budget

Money seems to be a constraint in nearly every activity, and the same goes for funeral services. It can be expected that the longer a service lasts, the more expensive it will be. Several funeral homes charge by time and may even penalize you if you exceed a set schedule.

Specific wishes of the departed

While the rest of the service may follow traditional structures, the departed may have left behind specific wishes they wish to be followed. This could be as simple as playing some of their favorite songs to having their favorite band play at their funeral. Ultimately, it depends on what the deceased wished for.

Cremation or Burial

Depending on whether the family chooses the departed’s body to be buried or cremated, it can affect how long funerals are. Cremating a body usually takes 30 minutes, whereas burials tend to last much longer.

Interested In Our Services?

About The Author

August 17 2020

After Death: Wake vs. Funeral

bigblue223 Funeral 0

Published August 17, 2020

Attending wakes and funerals is something almost all of us will go through. This is just because of how inevitable and abundant death is all around us. Rituals for the dead, as in funerals, date back to the early dawn of civilization. As for wakes, their origins can be traced back to Celtic countries across Europe.

Wakes and funerals regularly go together, and lots of people use them interchangeably. While these two ceremonies seem very similar, they serve different purposes in remembering and celebrating the departed’s life. Let’s get to know them better.

What is a wake?

Wakes are the less formal celebration between the two. They help people in the grieving process, giving them some time to reflect on the departed’s life. Friends and loved ones congregate here to share fond anecdotes and console one another. It’s not uncommon for people to exchange these stories over a light meal at this event.

During wakes, the departed’s body is usually displayed in a casket, either open or closed, for viewing. These are held in the residential homes of immediate family, funeral homes, or social halls of churches. A wake takes place anywhere between a few days to a night before the funeral. Some cultures have wakes that last for several days, while others have them only for a few hours. And depending on culture and religion, they may also hold daily services or mass.

Details and invitation to wakes are frequently posted in obituaries and death notices. Sometimes, the deceased’s family sends out public invitations, allowing anyone to attend.

With wakes being the less formal celebration, attires are the same way. We’d still recommend you dress up a little bit, avoiding brighter colors and sticking to darker ones.

What is a funeral?

After the wake, comes the funeral, usually a week after the death of a loved one. While the general mood surrounding wakes is much lighter, funerals can be much more somber. This is because you’re faced with the bitter reality that this is the last time you will see your loved one.

Funerals are generally held in funeral homes, chapels or churches, or at the gravesite. Whether secular or religious, they’re quite structured. Typically, there will be a speaker to lead the congregation in the program. During this program, close friends and loved ones deliver their eulogies for the departed. Eulogies are speeches that pay tribute to the departed’s life and are delivered by a select few chosen by the family. You can also expect to have hymns and prayers, depending on the religion of the family.

Following the ceremony, the departed loved one’s casket may be lowered into their final resting place. The surviving loved ones may leave flowers on top of the casket before it is buried in the dirt.

For funerals, you should wear more formal attire, as these are the more solemn event. The widely accepted outfits for funerals is a black suit and tie for men and black dresses for women. Of course, some funerals may define the prescribed attire, which you should follow accordingly.

Interested In Our Services?

About The Author

August 17 2020

In Lieu of Flowers: Funeral Etiquette 101

bigblue223 Funeral 0

Published August 17, 2020

There are particular objects we associate with specific events. Cakes with birthdays, rice with weddings, presents with Christmas and flowers with funerals. It’s been a longstanding tradition to send flowers in memory of the dearly departed. However, many families prefer financial donations to either help out with funeral expenses or donate to a charity or cause.

For nearly a century, the term “in lieu of flowers” was used to refer to this. This phrase commonly appeared in obituaries and death notices to suggest the preference for financial contributions.

It wasn’t until the 1950s that the Society of American Florists (SAF) considered this a nationwide problem. A behavioral research study was done on flowers’ influence in the bereavement process. The general public believed that the SAF disapproved of “in lieu of flowers” because they’d lose business. However, the results of this study show the real motivation behind this. The researchers found that a lack of flowers hinders the grieving process. The SAF doesn’t dissuade people from donating, but they simply want to highlight the importance of flowers in funerals.

“In lieu” means “instead of,” which suggests that the family does not want flowers at their funeral. The problem many people have with the phrase is that it may come off as a bit aggressive. It suggests that the families would not appreciate flowers, which is quite contrary to reality. Families in mourning, generally appreciate all gestures of love. And flowers are a beautiful visual reminder of a friend’s love and care for the departed.

Because of these, many alternatives have been thought up to use instead of it. Here are fifteen better lines you can use:

“The family would greatly appreciate contributions made out to…”
“Flowers are welcome, but you can also send donations to…”
“While flowers are greatly appreciated, the family also suggests…”
“The family would be grateful for flowers and…”
“Memorial contributions may be made to…”
“The family has designated (charity name) for memorial contributions.”
“Gestures and remembrances in all forms are greatly welcomed.”
“Any financial contributions may be made to your organization of choice.”
“We remember (departed’s name) by making donations to…”
“The family would greatly appreciate your help paying for (departed’s name)’s funeral.”
“The family asks for help in paying for (departed’s name)’s funeral expenses.”
“Due to the unexpected nature of (departed’s name)’s death, we’d like to ask for financial assistance in paying for his funeral.”
“The family would prefer (specific gift) as a remembrance.”
“The family invites you to a potluck meal. Please bring a dish of…”
“The family is not asking for gifts, donations, or flowers; only your presence is required at the funeral.”

If you’re the one attending someone else’s funeral, you’ll want to pay attention to their family’s needs. Funerals can be an overwhelming time for the family, and they may be reluctant to ask for help. If you can reach out to them and help where it really matters, that will be more meaningful than any gift.

Interested In Our Services?

About The Author

July 27 2020

6 Goodbye Poems You Can Read at Funerals

bigblue223 Funeral 0

Published July 27, 2020

Everyone who has ever lost a loved one knows that no words can describe the pain of having to say our final goodbyes. The poignancy of the moment sometimes just leaves us speechless.

This is why composing a farewell message during a loved one’s funeral is one of the hardest tasks you’ll ever have. Emotions are already running high and you’re overcome with grief. You can barely think, much more write a fitting tribute.

These goodbye poems will help you during those moments. Written by well-loved authors, they put into words the grief, regret, longing, and hope that comes with the death of a loved one. These are all public domain too. So you can read them at funerals without having to worry about copyright.

Painful Goodbyes

Not all goodbyes are painful. But if you’re bidding farewell to someone who you won’t be seeing forever, it is agonizing. Expressing all those pent-up pain, however, helps us heal.

If you want to give a voice to the pain you’re feeling, here are two poems you can read:

Farewell

by: Alice Dunbar Nelson

Farewell, sweetheart, and again farewell;

Today we part, and who can tell

If we shall e’er again

Meet, and with clasped hands

Renew our vows of love, and forget

The sad, dull pain.

Dear heart, ’tis bitter thus to lose thee

And think mayhap, you will forget me;

And yet, I thrill

As I remember long and happy days

Fraught with sweet love and pleasant memories

That linger still

You go to loved ones who will smile

And clasp you in their arms, and all the while

I stay and moan

For you, my love, my heart and strive

To gather up life’s dull, gray thread

And walk alone.

Aye, with you love the red and gold

Goes from my life, and leaves it cold

And dull and bare,

Why should I strive to live and learn

And smile and jest, and daily try

You from my heart to tare?

Nay, sweetheart, rather would I lie

Me down, and sleep for aye; or fly

To regions far

Where cruel Fate is not and lovers live

Nor feel the grim, cold hand of Destiny

Their way to bar.

I murmur not, dear love, I only say

Again farewell. God bless the day

On which we met,

And bless you too, my love, and be with you

In sorrow or in happiness, nor let you

E’er me forget.

We Part For Ever

by: George Pope Morris

Fare thee well–we part for ever!

All regrets are now in vain!

Fate decrees that we must sever,

Ne’er to meet on earth again.

Other skies may bend above thee,

Other hearts may seek thy shrine,

But no other e’er will love thee

With the constancy of mine.

Yet farewell–we part for ever!

All regrets are now in vain!

Fate decrees that we must sever,

Ne’er to meet on earth again.

Fare thee well!

Like the shadow on the dial

Lingers still our parting kiss!

Life has no severer trial,

Death no pang to equal this.

All the world is now before thee,

Every clime to roam at will,

But within the land that bore thee,

One fond heart will love thee still.

Yet farewell–we part for ever!

All regrets are now in vain!

Fate decrees that we must sever,

Ne’er to meet on earth again.

Fare thee well!

Letting Go

Sometimes, saying goodbye also means letting go. These achingly poignant poems will not only help you set your loved one free. They also help you release yourself from the emotional torment and sadness so you’ll finally be able to truly let go.

Stanzas

by: Emily Bronte

I’ll not weep that thou art going to leave me,

There’s nothing lovely here;

And doubly will the dark world grieve me,

While thy heart suffers there.

I’ll not weep, because the summer’s glory

Must always end in gloom;

And, follow out the happiest story

It closes with a tomb!

And I am weary of the anguish

Increasing winters bear;

Weary to watch the spirit languish

Through years of dead despair.

So, if a tear, when thou art dying,

Should haply fall from me,

It is but that my soul is sighing,

To go and rest with thee.

Parted

by: Alice Christiana Thompson Meynell

Farewell to one now silenced quite,

Sent out of hearing, out of sight,–

My friend of friends, whom I shall miss.

He is not banished, though, for this,–

Nor he, nor sadness, nor delight.

Though I shall walk with him no more,

A low voice sounds upon the shore.

He must not watch my resting-place

But who shall drive a mournful face

From the sad winds about my door?

I shall not hear his voice complain,

But who shall stop the patient rain?

His tears must not disturb my heart,

But who shall change the years, and part

The world from every thought of pain?

Although my life is left so dim,

The morning crowns the mountain-rim;

Joy is not gone from summer skies,

Nor innocence from children’s eyes,

And all these things are part of him.

He is not banished, for the showers

Yet wake this green warm earth of ours.

How can the summer but be sweet?

I shall not have him at my feet,

And yet my feet are on the flowers.

For Sea Burials

Whether you’re scattering your loved one’s ashes at sea or doing a whole-body sea burial, these poems will be perfect to send them off on their journey.

A Farewell

by: Alfred Lord Tennyson

Flow down, cold rivulet, to the sea,

They tribute wave deliver:

No more by thee my steps shall be,

For ever and for ever.

Flow, softly flow, by lawn and lea,

A rivulet then a river:

Nowhere by thee my steps shall be

For ever and for ever.

But here will sigh thine alder tree

And here thine aspen shiver;

And here by thee will hum the bee,

For ever and for ever.

A thousand suns will stream on thee,

A thousand moons will quiver;

But not by thee my steps shall be,

For ever and for ever.

Farewell

by: Eliza Paul Kirkbride Gurney

Fare thee well, we’ve no wish to detain thee,

For the loved ones are bidding thee come,

And, we know, a bright welcome awaits thee

In the smiles and the sunshine of home,

Thou art safe on the crest of the billow,

And safe in the depths of the sea;

For the God we have worshipped together

Is Almighty, and careth for thee.

And when, in the home of thy fathers,

Thy fervent petition shall rise

For the loved who are circling around thee,

The joy and delight of thine eyes,

Oh, then, for the weak and the faltering,

Should a prayer, as sweet incense, ascend

To the God we have worshipped together,

Remember thy far-distant friend.

We miss the calm light of thy spirit,

We miss thy encouraging smile;

But we bless the unslumbering Shepherd

Who sent thee to cheer us awhile.

The light, which burned brightly among us,

We rejoiced for a season to see,

For the God we have worshipped together

Gave a halo of glory to thee.

But didst thou not point to another,

A brighter, an unsetting sun?

For thou preached not thyself to us, brother,

But Jesus, the Crucified One.

May He be thy rock and thy refuge,

In Him thy “strong confidence” be;

For the God we have worshipped together

Still loveth and careth for thee.

Oh! mayst thou abide ‘neath the shadow

Of Immanuel’s sheltering wing,

And continue proclaiming the goodness

Of Zion’s all-glorious King,

Till the sun shall be turned into darkness,

The moon in obscurity be;

And the God we have worshipped together,

Be a “light everlasting” to thee.

Interested In Our Services?

About The Author

Judy Ponio is a firm believer in the power of a sense of spirituality and she wants to share that with the world. She also loves to write about art, design, and more.

July 13 2020

Where Do Dogs Go When They Die?

bigblue223 Burials, Funeral 0

Published July 13, 2020

I remember it like it was almost yesterday. It was a Wednesday morning, quiet until it wasn’t. I was alarmed to hear screaming so early in the morning. Apparently, as my uncle was driving his car out of our garage, my beloved furball, Kim, ran outside.

As she ran onto the street in front of our house, another car unknowingly ran her over. I was devastated. Burying a dog’s limp body right before going to school isn’t something a 10-year-old kid should experience.

I never brought a handkerchief with me to school, not once. But that morning, I had to bring something to wipe away the tears that wouldn’t stop falling. And that was my first real experience with death.

But then it got me thinking about something. Where do dogs go when they die? Their bodies remain on earth and are buried or cremated to honor them. But what happens to a dog’s spirit when they leave this earth?

As a Christian myself, I would have said, “Oh, that’s simple; they go to heaven.”

Since nobody’s quite experienced death, we can only speculate what happens after it. And speculate, we shall do today.

The “afterlife” or “life after death” is present in many different religions and beliefs. In Christianity, the afterlife comes in the form of heaven and hell. If one accepts Christ as their savior, they go to heaven. Otherwise, they go to hell. Putting it that way, shouldn’t dogs be unable to enter into heaven?

It’s ambiguous at best. However, Isaiah 65:25 explains what to expect in New Heaven, and mentions how animals will be at peace with one another. This verse doesn’t explicitly include dogs, but we can assume it does. So that’s it for the Christian explanation.

There’s this poem entitled “The Rainbow Bridge.” It’s a beautiful one that describes this magical land where all pets are made whole again. It is one where they know no pain and suffering but only joy and fulfillment. While we can’t be 100% sure that such a place does exist, it’s comforting to think our fur pals are in paradise.

In Buddhism, animals and humans are heavily linked. There’s a possibility of a human reincarnating as an animal and vice versa. So, in their philosophy, animals are just as capable of “enlightenment,” which is the ultimate goal for Buddhists.

Others like to refer to spiritual energy. When a pet dies, they say that they turn into spiritual energy, free of sickness and fear. Often, when pets know their time is coming, you will notice a change in their behavior. This is said to be a way for them to prepare for the next phase of their life cycle.

In this spirit form, pets still like to make contact with pet owners. So, you might be able to feel or sense your pet in certain situations. In some cases, pets are said to reincarnate themselves into other pets. This is especially evident when new pets show similar traits to the ones that have passed.

Believing in the afterlife is a way many humans cope with losing a loved one. Whatever you choose to believe in, I hope you find solace in knowing your dog’s in a better place. I’m sure if you’re reading this, you loved your paw pal immensely while they lived. And I can assure you, they loved you just as much, if not more.

Interested In Our Services?

About The Author

July 12 2020

Coping With the Death of a Beloved Pet

bigblue223 Ash Scattering, Burials, Cremation, Funeral 0

Published July 13, 2020

Our pets are a big part of our lives. As much joy as they can bring, their passing can bring as much pain.

Death has always been a sensitive topic. It’s just downright uncomfortable. See, when people start facing the reality of death, it puts their entire life in perspective. It’s difficult, but it’s something we all must go through.

Death of our pets is the same way. Growing with these companions, they become almost, if not as important as our loved ones. Anyone who’s a pet parent knows how it feels to have strong bonds with these furry friends.

“Ohana means family.”

This line is quite a famous one from the 2002 Disney movie, “Lilo and Stitch.” It continues with, “and family means no one gets left behind.” I don’t know if using Lilo as a pet parent and Stitch as a pet is the best analogy. I mean, Stitch was a talking, cognitive alien. Regardless, they had his heartwarming friendship similar to the ones we have with our pets.

But unfortunately, we can’t always be together with them. There will come a time that we have to say goodbye, one way or another. One of the most heartbreaking things you could experience is seeing your pet get sick. Nothing can express the feeling of watching someone who gave you so many good memories go through such pain.

Thanks to advances in veterinary care, we’re more able to prolong our pets’ lives than before. Along with those advances, is euthanasia.

As a pet owner myself, I cannot imagine having to make such a difficult decision as euthanizing my pet. But this option is one of the kindest things you can do to save your pet from prolonged suffering.

Saying goodbye to a pet is inevitable.

It’s a fact you have to accept. One of the ways to help you prepare for the death of a pet is to recognize this early. Instead of shying away from the fact, you have to embrace it fully. Death isn’t something you should fear. It is because our lives and our pet’s lives are finite that we have to celebrate it!

Coping with the grief

The grief you feel when losing a pet can be the same as when you lose a loved one. That is because your pet also becomes a loved one. Your pets spend their entire life with you, building memories together. In grieving, people tend to go through a process. Here are some advice and takeaways.

It’s okay not to be okay.

You have to keep telling yourself this. Allow yourself to feel everything you’re feeling. Trying to compartmentalize and forcing yourself into feeling okay will only make it worse. Acknowledging that these feelings are there is the first step towards getting better.

Find a shoulder to cry on

You can take this literally or not. If someone lets you cry on their shoulder, do it. But this line means you should find someone in whom you can confide. Talk to them about everything you’re feeling.

Remember your pet’s memories fondly.

Many people tend to shun memories they have of a lost loved one. They feel like remembering those memories is too painful because they’ll never make new ones. Instead, you should keep these memories fondly precisely because you’ll never make new ones! Their memories are what you make of it. Instead of letting them be an anchor to you, why don’t you use them to uplift you?

Talk to an expert

Psychologists are experts trained to help you process the anxiety, fear, and guilt associated with death. If the burden of your pet’s death gets too heavy for you, you shouldn’t hesitate to approach an expert. Everybody needs some help sometimes. Never be afraid to admit you need help.

Take care of yourself

While taking care of your mental and emotional health, remember to take care of your physical health too. Physical health significantly affects your mental health. The better your physical health is, the better you can deal with grief productively.

Take this time to take proper care of yourself. Eat healthy food, exercise, meditate, and pray. These activities will help you maintain balance in your life.

Let your pet live a life without regrets.

Before your pet meets their ultimate fate, you have to give them the best life possible. You have to treasure their life as much as you can with the time you have.

Make sure you leave nothing on the table so that when their time ultimately comes, you’ll have no regrets. And if you did that, I’m sure your parent passed knowing he or she was loved.

Interested In Our Services?

About The Author

How long does it take to get a death certificate.

July 12 2020

A Quick Guide to Getting a Death Certificate

bigblue223 Burials, Funeral 0

Published July 13, 2020

You mean to tell me even after I die, there’s more paperwork?

Yes, there is. All jokes aside, death is a crucial matter which requires many official records and documents. Navigating through a loved one’s death can be exhausting and confusing. You’ll not only have to deal with emotional troubles, but you’ll have to go through many legal processes too.

This article presents a quick guide about the ins and outs of a death certificate. In this article, we’ll answer these questions:

What is a death certificate?
Why do I need a death certificate?
How do I obtain copies of a death certificate?
Who can obtain copies of a death certificate?
How long does it take to get a death certificate?

What is a death certificate?

A death certificate is an official document issued by the government, which officially acknowledges a person’s passing. This document is typically prepared and filed by a medical examiner, crematorium, funeral home, or the person in charge of the deceased’s remains.

Shortly after a person dies, a representative will need to register his or her death with the local or state vital records office. The vital records office maintains all birth, marriage, divorce, and death records for a state or county. They’re the organization responsible for issuing certified copies of death certificates.

In this document, you can generally find information about the deceased’s demographics. Listed below are standard information you can expect to find in a death certificate:

Full name
Address
Birthdate and birthplace
Parental information
Spousal information
Complete or partial Social Security number
Education
Date, place, and time of death, and
The cause of death
Medical examiner/Coroner’s signature

Why do I need a death certificate?

You’ll need copies of a person’s death certificate for many reasons, mostly legal and financial. On average, you will need at least ten copies of a death certificate to settle multiple accounts.

You will need a death certificate to complete financial transactions involving the deceased. These transactions include closing accounts, claiming life insurance benefits, and claiming pension benefits.

Another use would be to notify government agencies like Social Security or Veteran Affairs, of the death.

How do I obtain copies of a death certificate?

You can order copies from the funeral home or mortuary with the deceased’s remains. Usually, these organizations are in charge of filing and preparing the document.

If some time passes after the death, you’ll likely need to approach your local or state vital records office to request a copy. You can check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for full details of vital records offices. The cost for each copy will vary between states.

In many states and counties, the government-endorsed VitalChek network also allows you to process them online.

Who can obtain copies of a death certificate?

It also varies between states. For some states, death certificates are official public documents that anyone can access. They can come in either informational or “certified” copies. Informational copies are readily available for anyone who requests them.

Others have specific requirements for you to obtain these files. You’d need to be one of the following to access them:

Legal counsel or representative
Immediate family of the deceased
Government agency
The executor of the estate
Someone with a direct financial interest in the estate

How long does it take to get a death certificate?

The process of filing for a death certificate can take anywhere between one day and a few weeks. To help speed up this process, we’d recommend you have the complete information required in filling out the necessary forms.

Just as the prices vary between states, processing time can too. In some states, you may even be able to get it on the same day. For more information, you may want to visit your local vital records office.

Interested In Our Services?

About The Author

June 29 2020

How to Have a Cheap But Meaningful Funeral

bigblue223 Ash Scattering, Burials, Cremation, Funeral 0

Published June 30, 2020

There are no guaranteed things in life, except death. That much is true for all human beings.

Throughout history, different cultures have different ways of dealing with death. But in modern times, disposing of the dead has become an industry of its own. In fact, it’s estimated that the funeral industry in the US alone is worth around $20 billion per year.

It’s no wonder then that dying is now considered more expensive than living. Since the market is largely unregulated, funeral companies usually get away with charging exorbitant prices. Coffins, for example, are often sold at 900% of their manufacturing costs. And total funeral expenses can go as high as $9,000.

This is why more and more people are seeking cheap funeral options that won’t put their families in debt. Some funeral companies are also offering an affordable, no-frills funeral service. But you can always do it on your own to save more.

Here are some ways you can have a cheap yet meaningful funeral.

1. Choose a Burial Option That’s Worth Every Penny

The burial often takes up a huge chunk of the overall funeral expenses. But it’s not usually about choosing the cheapest option. Choosing your body’s final resting place is a very personal decision. There are several factors to be considered such as religion, budget, and closure. This is why an affordable burial varies for each person.

Some of the most common burial methods today are:

Cremation

This is generally considered to be one of the cheapest funeral and burial options. A simple cremation with no memorial or viewing ceremonies can only cost anywhere from $900 to $1,500. It also gives you unlimited options on what to do with the ashes. You can keep it at home, scatter the ashes at sea, or turn it into a memorabilia item. Some religions, however, have a strict stance against cremation. You won’t also be able to have a viewing ceremony.

Green Burial

Going green has become more and more popular in the past few years and this extends to burials. Some people choose to be buried in a more environment-friendly way. This means that embalming and concrete or metal caskets are off the table. Instead, the body is wrapped in a shroud or put in a simple wood casket and buried directly on the ground. You’re not only saving Mother Earth but your bank balance too. Hitting two birds with one stone.

Home Burial

Burial plots can be terribly expensive. Some can even cost as much as $2,500 depending on the cemetery. This does not include burial vaults and grave liners as well as the maintenance fee. All in all, the bill can run up to $11,000. To avoid all these, some prefer to bury their dead at home.

Home burials have been traditionally done for centuries. So it’s nothing new, but some people are (understandably) still creeped out by the idea. Currently, there are no laws prohibiting home burials but some states require using the services of a funeral director.

Traditional Burial

Though most traditional burials are a little bit on the pricey side, you can make it cheaper too. For instance, you can look for cheaper burial plots or opt for a graveside ceremony. You can also request for a simpler and more affordable casket and headstone.

Burial at Sea

Even if you’re not from the Navy, you can still be buried at sea. Sea burials are allowed in the US as long as you follow the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) guidelines. It’s also a lot cheaper as you won’t have to pay for burial plots, caskets, or headstones.

2. Shop Around

Funeral service companies offer different packages of varying amounts. But they are mandated by law to show a price list of their services. So make sure to shop around to get the best prices. Don’t forget to negotiate. Funeral pricing arrangements can be very flexible and they mostly adjust their services to cater to customer needs.

3. Stick to a Budget

Setting a budget beforehand can help you avoid paying for unnecessary expenses. Keep an itemized list of the services you want and how much you can or are willing to spend on them. Make sure to stick with your budget. Otherwise, it will all be for naught.

4. Keep It Simple

If you really want to save money on funerals, the key is to keep everything simple. Funeral service companies would often offer upsells. Don’t fall for this trick. Funerals don’t need to be extravagant to be meaningful.

5. Plan in Advance

People tend to make rash decisions when they’re emotional. This is often taken advantage of by funeral service companies by offering them services they don’t really need nor want. To avoid making costly decisions, plan the funeral in advance. Some people also opt to pre-pay their funerals to avoid inflation.

6. Make the Urn Yourself

If you’ve got the talent for crafts, you can make the urn yourself. Some cremation companies include urns as part of their package, but you can always opt out of it. Personalized urns are much more intimate and meaningful – not to mention really affordable too.

7. Look for Cheap Suppliers of Funeral Flowers

Flowers are a staple in most funerals. But that doesn’t mean you need to splurge hundreds of dollars on it. Aside from looking online, you can also check out local flower shops. Some of them offer great prices too.

8. Have the Funeral at Home or at Church

Holding a viewing ceremony at a funeral parlor can be expensive. Some places charge up to $500 for using their facilities along with some staff to serve the mourners. If your home has enough space, you can always hold the viewing and visiting ceremonies there. If not, you can also ask your church leader if you can hold it inside the church.

9. Don’t Rely on Funeral Directors

Except in certain circumstances, funeral directors aren’t really necessary. They’re mostly just their for convenience. If you want to save money and have a lot of time on your hands, you can organize things yourself. It’s a lot cheaper and also much more personal.

10. Donate Your Body to Science

If you really want to do away with almost all funeral costs, donating your body to science is a good option too. Body donation institutions often cover all donation related expenses including cremation and filing for a death certificate. Families can still hold a memorial ceremony after the cremains are returned to them. Viewing ceremonies are, however, not possible since the body has to be transported immediately after death.

Interested In Our Services?

About The Author

Judy Ponio is a firm believer in the power of a sense of spirituality and she wants to share that with the world. She also loves to write about art, design, and more.

Getting affairs in order before death checklist.

June 15 2020

Getting Your Affairs In Order: The “Before Death” Checklist

bigblue223 Burials, Funeral 0

Published June 15, 2020

Death, as they say, is like a thief in the night. We know it will come but nobody knows exactly when. We may dread it but there’s no escaping it. This is why we need to prepare for it.

Getting your affairs in order before death is the same as preparing for an emergency. Having a well thought out plan gives your family a “blueprint” of what to do when tragedy strikes. It will also make it easier for them to honor your final wishes.

We all know how hard and confusing it can be to lose a loved one. Making decisions when you’re mourning is even harder. You surely don’t want to put your family through all that unnecessary stress.

So how do you get your affairs in order? Here are things that should be on your “before death checklist”.

1. Prepare Essential Documents

Essential documents vary for everyone. What’s essential for a single person will differ from those with a family and kids. Here are some of the basic documents you need to prepare:

Personal Records

Basic information ( full name, date, and place of birth, current address)
Social security records
Directory of family members
Certificates of marriage, citizenship, or adoption as may be applicable
Employment records
Education and military records
Directory of religious contacts, doctors, lawyers, and financial advisors
Membership in groups and awards received
Your recent list of medications
A living will and other legal documents

Financial Records

Insurance information including policy numbers, names of agents and phone numbers
Banking information (names of banks and account numbers)
Investment records (stocks, bonds, properties) including your stockbroker’s name and phone number
Real estate ownership certificates (land titles, or the deed to your house, etc.)
Mortgage documents
Savings passbook
Ownership documents for your car and other tangible properties
A list of all your assets including your source of income (pension, government benefits, etc.)
A list of all your liabilities (credit card debts, loans, etc.)

2. Organize Your Documents

Now that you’ve gathered up all your essential documents, you need to store them in a safe place. It could be in your library, your steel cabinet, or even in that hollowed out floorboard under your bedroom carpet.

But remember that these are papers. So make sure they’re safe from fire, water, termites and molds.

Organize them according to category and put them in separate envelopes. Don’t forget to label them accordingly. This will help your family sort through them easily.

3. Tell a Trusted Friend/Family Member Where To Find Your Documents/Personal Papers

Preparing and storing your documents is useless if no one knows where it is. Tell a trusted friend or family member where to find your personal papers. Just make sure they have access to your storage place, especially if it’s in a vault.

4. Make Your End-of-Life Preferences Known to Family Members/Estate Manager

Nobody really likes to think about their own funeral. But it should be part of your checklist. Let your family or estate manager know your end-of-life preferences.

Do you want to be cremated or buried in the traditional way? Do you want your ashes spread at sea or put in a crematorium? What songs do you want to be played at your memorial? Tell your family about all these. It might be a taboo topic but some things just have to be discussed even if nobody likes it.

5. Give Your Doctor/Lawyer/Family Member the Necessary Consent

Sometimes, your bank or insurance provider will need information that can only be disclosed with your consent. Make sure to provide the necessary consent to your next of kin, lawyer, or doctor beforehand. Without it, your insurance claim might be delayed or your bank account. Ask your lawyer how to go about this so there won’t be any legal hiccups.

Interested In Our Services?

About The Author

Judy Ponio is a firm believer in the power of a sense of spirituality and she wants to share that with the world. She also loves to write about art, design, and more.