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20 Reasons Why People Are Choosing Cremation

July 25, 2023March 30, 2019 by Daniel Szczesniak

More and more people are choosing cremation as a final disposition method.

Cremation is on the rise, and there are many factors involved in this trend – from cost to claustrophobia, from religious considerations to the increasing personalization of funerals, there are not only broad trends but also uniquely specific reasons why more and more people choose cremation over burial.

Here are five general, broad-brush reasons why people are choosing cremation, followed by specific comments from actual people on why they have decided to go with cremation.

What is a Death Doula? (Or “End-of-Life Doula”?)

February 14, 2024September 24, 2018 by Daniel Szczesniak

Applying the doula approach to end-of-life care

What is a death doula? Or, what is an end-of-life doula? In this article we will detail who they are and how they can help in your final days (or those of a loved one).

5 Steps To Make Sure Your Funeral Plans Are Followed

July 25, 2023August 1, 2018 by Daniel Szczesniak

Do these five things to make sure your final wishes get carried out

How do you ensure that your funeral plans are followed? This can include big decisions like whether to be buried or cremated, which funeral home to use, an eco-friendly natural burial or a big bold marble sarcophagus, services led by a pastor or a close family member.

Your wishes for your funeral can include smaller touches as well. Perhaps it is important to you that those who attend the service receive a “funeral favor” such as an engraved coin, a packet of forget-me-not seeds, or a bag of your favorite tea. Maybe you have a favorite hymn you would like sung, or a favorite poem you would like read.

These choices are important to you, and you can rest easier knowing that they are going to be respected. Here are five ways to make sure that your funeral arrangements are honored and carried out.

What Happens to Your Passwords When You Die?

July 25, 2023April 16, 2018 by Daniel Szczesniak

Emergency access to your online accounts using a password manager

If you’re anything like me and most other humanoids living in this digital age, you probably have just under a billion website login username and password combinations. Somehow you keep it all together (thank the Lord for password recovery emails). But what happens to all those passwords when you die?

What papers do you need when someone dies?

October 11, 2023April 9, 2018 by Daniel Szczesniak

Documents to gather when someone you love has died

If you are the spouse or executor of the estate of a person who has passed away, there are many documents you will need to work through. What papers do you actually need?

Most will be financial statements, insurance and membership papers, and legal papers that already exist. These you will need to find. Others you will need to create.

Note that in the digital age, some of these affairs can be arranged completely online using digital documents and accounts. Even so, there will still be many copies and forms you will physically need to handle. Here is the list of papers you need when someone dies.

How do I arrange a cremation?

July 25, 2023January 22, 2018 by Daniel Szczesniak

In this article, we’re going to talk about how to arrange a cremation.

Once you or your loved one has decided on cremation as the best option for final disposition, the next steps are to arrange for the actual cremation to take place. Here is a step-by-step guide for you to plan or arrange a cremation with simplicity, affordability, and peace of mind.

Avoid These 10 Common Funeral Scams

July 25, 2023January 2, 2018 by Daniel Szczesniak

Want to avoid falling prey to the most common funeral scams? Read on.

First, however, we can’t make it clear enough that although the industry has its share of funeral scams and unsavory charlatans, most funeral professionals do what they do because they care about people and will treat you right.

Plan and pay ahead yourself
Prepay at a funeral home
Funeral/burial insurance
Green burial
Start a funeral fund