What is a Death Cafe? A Death Cafe, contrary to its name, is not a real place, and not set in any particular location. Instead, a death cafe is more of an event, where individuals gather with “no agenda, objectives, or themes” to thoughtfully discuss death. Death Cafes are what its organizers describe as a…
Ethical Will Guide An ethical will is a voluntary, non-legally binding document that usually contains a set of stories, notes, and last words to your family and friends. Adapted from Jewish tradition, this document can be as formal or informal as you wish. The defining feature of an ethical will is the intent rather than…
How Long After Death Should I Hold the Funeral? Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult things that can happen to a person in their life. Amongst the loss and grief, you also have a responsibility to live on, preparing your loved one’s final affairs. One question many people ask: How long…
How to Plan a Living Funeral Funerals are important rituals in human life. It’s a chance for us to grieve and mourn the loss of our loved ones. It gives us time to appreciate their life and what they meant to us who remain. They are powerful events─ solemn, but filled with hope. Whether you…
Is a Live Funeral Right for You? Tuning into a funeral is nothing new. However, most broadcast funerals in history have been of high-profile individuals and celebrities ─ not your average person. Nowadays, livestream technology has made it possible for all of us to memorialize and share our loved one’s final goodbye digitally. As stated…
Presenting an Elegy: Preparing an Obituary Poem for Memorial Service Across cultures, art has been used to mourn, celebrate, and commemorate our loved ones at their passing. Whether an elegy or a funeral march, it’s important to explore how the spoken word can be used to celebrate your loved one’s life, as well as how…
Understanding the Cremation Process No one can prepare you for the loss of a loved one, but knowing that they will be respectfully and lovingly cared for can relieve some of your worries. Cremation vs burial is a common concern that can be a challenge to deal with during this difficult time. Let’s explore some…
Memorializing Ashes with Cremation Jewelry Losing a loved one is not an easy process. While your loved one may be gone, their memory still lives on. To hold them close, some families look to transform ashes into art ─ memorializing their memory forever. Different services can change the ashes into paintings, pottery, tattoo ink, and…
Celebration of Life – 9 Ideas for a Memorable Service Funeral rites have been conducted throughout human history. Traditional funerals tend to include a visitation, a funeral service, and committal service or burial. Religious tradition is typically intertwined with the service, although throughout the different practices, common secular motivations are: to mourn for the decedent,…
What is a Death Certificate? A death certificate is an official document proving an individual’s passing. These documents may be important in the occasion you need to close your loved one’s accounts or access benefits. Once your loved one’s death is registered, their death certificate can be ordered as needed. Depending on your county, the…