Pre Planning Funeral Arrangements

All the preplanning final arrangements you make for that moment when others want to say goodbye, those for preplanning funeral arrangements services are the most complicated. For loved ones, forced to make decisions they neither asked for nor are equipped to make, under the circumstances they become the most incredibly difficult, agonizing and more..

Tips When Pre-Planning Your Funeral Arrangements
By Mike Selvon

You're neat, detailed, organized... always have been, always will be. Lists are your thing, your desk is often immaculate, and even when clutter springs up, you've usually tackled it within a week.



Photo: saundersmcfarlin.net

You planned your wedding from start to finish, you planned birthday parties for the children, graduation parties, surprise anniversary parties, Thanksgiving dinners, retirement celebrations. So why not plan your funeral arrangements in advance to control the final details of your life and lessen the burden on your loved ones?

The casket can be the most expensive part of the traditional family funeral. Loved ones feel especially torn when selecting an appropriate burial container. They wonder if you would have wanted pine or mahogany, they wonder if people will think they are cheap. The truth is, after the funeral, no one will ever see your casket again!

Therefore, you may want to look into renting a casket and selecting a less expensive burial container. If your family is low-key and doesn't care much for appearances, then a simple casket made of plastic or pine will be just fine.

You can also choose from fiberglass, wood, plastic or metal, and you can even find them online! If you do purchase your casket online, then be aware that federal regulations state that funeral homes cannot charge you extra for supplying your own casket.

Instead, you may choose the direct cremation option (which runs from $300 - $600). If direct cremation sounds appropriate to you, then you'll only pay for the funeral director's consultation, a non-metal body container, hearse fees for crematorium transport, and an urn or container for the ashes.

Some Christians desire burial of the ashes, in which case you'll need to buy a grave site, marker and hardier container. Even so, this option is generally cheaper, though it doesn't allow people that elaborate face-to-face mourning.

What is a grave liner or vault, and is it really necessary? A grave liner or vault is required as an outer burial container to surround the casket in the grave and prevent the ground from settling or sinking over time.

The necessity of a grave liner depends upon the individual cemetery, so you may want to shop around at a few places. If this is not feasible, then don't fret too much - liners usually don't cost too much.

Know your rights! The Federal Trade Commission - through the Funeral Rule - requires a provider to give you a list of up-to-date funeral arrangements and services, along with the prices. The price list should include: funeral director services for consultations and paperwork, care of the body, embalming, casketing, dressing, use of facilities for wakes or memorial ceremonies, funeral flowers, obituary notices, funeral music, cremation, immediate burial, etc.

Anyone who can't give you at least this much information, cannot be trusted. Also, by law, the directors are not allowed to criticize your decisions or push you into buying something you don't want.

Feel free to shop around. You may prefer one funeral home because of its location or family tradition, but be aware that prices vary greatly from one end of town to the next.

Learn more about preplanned funeral arrangements at Mike Selvon portal. While you are there leave is a comment at our traditional funerals blog, and receive your FREE gift.

Jazz Funerals

Jazz funeral is a common name for a funeral tradition with music which developed in New Orleans, Louisiana. Drummers at the funeral of jazz legend Danny BarkerThe term "jazz funeral" was long in use by observers from elsewhere, but was generally disdained as inappropriate by most New Orleans musicians and practitioners of the tradition. The preferred description was "funeral with music"; while jazz was part of the music played, it was not the primary focus of the ceremony. The tradition arises from African spiritual practices, French and Spanish martial musical traditions, and uniquely African-American cultural influences. The tradition was widespread among New Orleanians across ethnic boundaries at the start of the 20th century. As the common brass band music became wilder in the years before World War I, some "white" New Orleanians considered the hot music disrespectful, and such musical funerals became rare among the city's caucasians.

Jazz Funerals in New Orleans
By Jeffrey Meier

In the past few years, Louisiana, and New Orleans in particular has been in the media due to issues related to Hurricane Katrina. Many people have been displaced from their homes for years and are still trying to recover emotionally and physically from the traumatic natural disaster that took the lives of over one thousand people and left many more jobless and homeless. However, before the events of the fateful hurricane took place, there stood a city that exuded music, culture and life. New Orleans residents had diverse cultural backgrounds from places including the Cuba, Sicily France, and West Africa. And the diversity showed in the way they celebrated life - and death - on a regular basis. In the New Orleans African American community in particular, it was very common for the celebration of death to be as uplifting as the celebration of life. So in this article I will explore the phenomena known as jazz funerals in New Orleans.



Photo: lesliehawes.com

New Orleans' Cultural Backgrounds and Traditions

Often compared to Europe more so than any other city in the United States, New Orleans definitely beats to its own drum - literally - and engulfs anyone who visits immediately with its intoxicating charm and southern hospitality. This community in southern Louisiana is very famous for its cultural diversity. In one area, you may find a group of Italians and a few Greeks, and in another area, you might find a few African-Americans and French Creoles. The reason for this diversity is due to its interesting history.

This city is the place that free and enslaved Africans, as well as Native American Indian and European settlers blended together, which resulted in what we know as a French Creole culture where the people are primarily considered to be black because of their physical traits, but often have very fair skin. The original members of each culture still remain also, in addition to Sicilian, Italian, Croatian, Irish, Jewish and Spanish cultures, to make a very diverse melting pot.

With the emergence of unique cultural backgrounds came a diverse array of cultural traditions to follow. Some traditions were derived from the tribal rituals of West Africa, from where the slaves were taken, as well as that of American Indians. Essentially, the city adopted a variety of cultural rights, many of which still exist today.

New Orleans Jazz Funerals

One of the cultural rites that the city has adopted is the jazz funeral of African American culture. Originating from West African tradition, jazz funerals have been a part of New Orleans for as long as it has been a city. The West African slaves who were brought to the city centuries ago brought the tradition with them as they had practiced the same ritual of celebrating life and death through music, dancing and decorations in their tribes. The Dahomeans of Benin and Yoruba of Nigeria both believed in providing a proper funerals for loved ones, which included music during the procession. Their now American ancestors continued the tradition by incorporating what was contemporary music at the time - brass bands. This tradition of brass bands is still popular and is, for most, the preferred way to lead a procession.

The proceedings for traditional jazz funerals are as follows. First, a band meets at the church or the funeral parlor where the actual services are conducted. Once the family has a chance to say their goodbyes the way many people around the country can identify with, they then close the casket and call the pall bearers to lift the body. For many who have attended funerals, they know that this is the time that the casket is taken to the hearse to then drive the deceased to the funeral home for the burial and final goodbyes. However, in the tradition of jazz funerals, when the services end, the jazz band leads the procession out of the building and slowly walks through the neighborhood and to the gravesite playing solemn musical selections from Christian hymns. Also, it is not uncommon to see a black wreath hanging from the door of the home of the deceased.

Once the band reaches the gravesite, the family participates in the burial process and then the band leads the procession from the gravesite silently. When everyone reaches a distance from the gravesite that respects the deceased, the lead trumpeter plays a riff to let the drummers know to begin drumming. Then the band begins to play again, this time in exuberance to celebrate the successful home-going of the deceased. At this time, the family and friends of the deceased begin to pull out their decorated umbrellas and dance in the streets as they return to home. As they move through the streets dancing to the music, many people hear the sounds and know a celebration is coming. As the procession reaches their area they often come out and help the family celebrate the home-going of their loved one.

Post-Hurricane Katrina

After Hurricane Katrina ravished so much of New Orleans, it became difficult for many funeral homes to stay in business. In addition to losing many of its building structures to the storm, New Orleans also lost much of its African American community. Many of the people who lived in the area were forced to relocate to another city, or even state, which means many of the businesses suffered - including the funeral homes. Currently, the businesses are trying to rebuild, but with subcontractors coming in to take over funerals after the storms, it became difficult for the funeral home owners to bounce back.

By losing its jazz funerals, New Orleans loses much more than business, it loses culture. The absence of music playing and parades moving through the neighborhoods leaves a void in the once vibrant community that not only knew how to celebrate life, but also death. Many businesses are trying to regain their spot in the city that they and their ancestors helped build and flourish. And overtime, many hope that there will be a strong resurgence of jazz funerals to maintain and strengthen an authentically culture-rich community.

Jeffrey Meier at Jam727 Enterprises at http://www.thearticlehome.com/ blog offers even more detailed information on a wide variety of topics.

Cremation Services

Cremation Services Throughout The Religions
By Mike Selvon

Cremation services have had a long, tumultuous history but are a popular option today. The first cremation ceremony dates back approximately 26,000 years to Mungo Lake. Early Persians and Phoenicians cremated the deceased and in Ancient Greece and Rome, incineration was seen as a military honor.


Photo: pacerfuneralhome.com

However, the increasingly religious overtones made the practice punishable by death in the middle ages. In the 20th century, religious leaders started to change their minds, so long as religious services and affirmation of dogmatic principles was made. Obviously, the entire world cannot be a cemetery, so with the increasing population and space limitations, cremation is the most efficient manner of respectfully disposing of a body.

Eastern Orthodox religions especially look down upon cremation services and will sometimes deny religious service for the deceased if they willfully choose it. Catholics have just recently warmed up to the idea, as long as a funeral or burial is still undertaken. Protestants are more tolerant and sometimes even scatter ashes in a "garden of remembrance." Additionally, Lutherans, Methodists, Quakers, Scientologists and Universalists all allow cremations.

In Hinduism and Buddhism, cremation services (or "antim-samskara" meaning "last rites") are mandatory. It is believed that cremation detaches the fresh spirit from its earthly body and assists the passage to the next world. After a brief prayer service, the nearest male relative submerses the ashes in the holy Ganges River.

In Japan and Taiwan, 99% of the dead are cremated and the cremation ceremony is slightly different. Instead of pulverizing the bones to ash, the bone fragment remains are given to the family members and the relatives use chopsticks to pick up the fragments (starting with the feet and ending with the head) and transfer them to an urn.

The remains are sometimes buried in a company cemetery or family burial plot for $2 million yen. For $400,000 yen, the bones are placed in a "Graveyard Apartment," which is a locker-sized unit. In this technologically savvy way to commemorate the departed, mourners are greeted by touch-screens with videos, messages, a family tree and other information.

Whether Japanese, Buddhist, Catholic or Protestant, cremation services are widely recognized as a respectful way to say goodbye to the departed. You may want to schedule a viewing or a memorial service at a funeral parlor before the incineration takes place, to offer loved ones a chance to properly mourn the dead. You may then choose to bury the ashes, spread them in the sea, shoot them into space or place them in an urn on the mantel.

Learn more about cremation services at Mike Selvon portal. While you are there leave is a comment at our traditional funerals blog, and receive your FREE gift.

Funeral Poem

Funeral Poem to Remember Deceased Loved Ones
By Dave Pipitone

How can an inspiring funeral poem help bring peace of mind and heart after a sudden death or loss of a loved one? Many people are very concerned with the fate and destiny of the deceased loved one. Often, fears arise about what happens after death and what may happen to our loved one. Is she safe? Is he happy? Will we ever meet or see or be with each other again?




Christians believe in eternal life with God. That belief is based upon an earthly life united with Jesus Christ which does not end when the body dies. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead destroyed death and opened the door to heaven for His followers. Even though a physical body dies, those who believe in Jesus have a strong conviction of hope that God will bring a dead person into a new existence of love and peace. Using a funeral poem to recall that a person is at home with God brings comfort when a loved one dies.

Funeral services offer a family and friends the chance to gather together in mutual support after the death of a loved one. Often, in the funeral parlor of a funeral home, the remains of a physical body of a loved one is present. Many families choose to use a casket to carry the body of their deceased loved one. Others choose a direct cremation option. Some Christians desire burial of the ashes, or placement in a mausoleum which honors the physical body and respects that one day it will be made new. Depending on the condition of the departed body, face-to-face mourning during a visitation is a positive step.

Memorial poems written by friends or families can help work through the grieving process. Funeral homes and churches may have stock poems that you can use to remember a deceased loved one. Religious good stores and websites offer comforting funeral memorial poems about life and death, and life after death. A family funeral can distribute and use these cards as part of the funeral service, as a reminder of the deceased loved one, or a small remembrance area at home.

Making funeral arrangements is often a difficult task. You are missing the presence of a loved one and the shock, grief and loss can be overwhelming. There are many decisions to make at the time of the funeral, including the religious services, the burial, the wake, contacting family and friends, writing and publishing an obituary, and many other details.

Long after the funeral flowers have faded and the services are over, the grieving process will continue. It is during those times that the help of community through a support group, church, friends and neighbors will be important. Family and friends can make a big difference sharing stories of a departed loved one's life. Tell different episodes that were funny, touching moments and special times when you felt very close and connected. Keeping a treasury of inspirational memorial poems is soothing.

Death does not end the connection with deceased loved ones; it merely changes how you connect through love, faith and hope. An inspirational funeral poem can help ease the pain of loss and eventually bring joy by remembering there is a connection with your deceased loved ones.

To find an inspirational funeral poem that you can share with friends and family, visit http://www.my3strands.com/eternity/index.html.

Burial Insurance

Burial Insurance and Final Expense policy gives those you leave behind the freedom and flexibility to pay the remaining expenses and debts that may be outstanding. Burial Insurance also allow you to choose the coverage amount appropriate for your circumstances.

Burial Insurance - Advice From A Licensed Funeral Director
By Jerry R. Guy

As a funeral director I'm often asked by the public, "do I need burial insurance?" My stock reply is the usual, "that depends." I'm not trying to be insensitive or cute with my answer, but the truth is that it does depend on several factors in my opinion, but two most importantly.


Photo: gradedlife.com

I believe two of the most important factors are to consider who will make your final plans first, then how will those plans be funded? Simple questions yes, but among those most of us fail to ask ourselves or give serious thought to.

Choosing a person to handle your final arrangements can be done in reality by doing nothing at all. At your death in most states, lineage will decide who will have right of disposition. If no legal descendants are available to handle this duty most counties, townships and/or states will step in and have the final disposition done. This will usually be a direct burial or cremation as determined by the government body handling it. I recommend avoiding this possibility by selecting a family member or friend to entrust with this duty and to make sure they have the legal documents necessary to abide by your wishes. Also, be sure your chosen administrators will have access to final expense funds. Many problems can be avoided by making sure of this one thing. Tip: Burial insurance will in most cases let you designate the beneficiary. This allows you to make sure specific funeral and burial expense funds are in the control of your chosen administrator.

Secondly, give thought to the funding aspect of your final arrangements. Are you satisfied with your current funding (insurance, savings, etc.) to be sufficient and available when that time comes? Is it possible your current insurance might be needed to settle other expenses such as medical bills, estate taxes, etc.? Are you comfortable that your current insurance or savings will keep pace with funeral inflation costs? If you answered no to any of these questions, then you may want to consider additional insurance specifically for your final expenses. Tip: Burial insurance policies can be issued in small amounts to subsidize your existing insurance or larger amounts to cover total funeral and burial costs. In many cases it is also easier to qualify for in older age groups.

Does everyone need burial insurance? Certainly not, but as a funeral director I can tell you that many families I've assisted were able to honor a loved one's wishes only because that person had a burial insurance policy in force at the time of their death.

Take a few minutes and give this some thought. The attention and consideration you give these matters now will make a tremendous difference for those who eventually will do your final planning.

Jerry R. Guy is an active licensed funeral director and author. More information on how to save money planning funeral services can be found at his sites: http://www.integritypreneedsolutions.com/ or http://www.beforeplanningafuneral.com/

Prearranged Funeral

Think About Prearranging Your Funeral
By Jeffrey Meier

It is the one thing we don't want to think about and it is the one thing that is evitable, our funeral. No matter how healthy we are, someday we will die. It is a sad but truthful fact of life. Once we face it, the better our life can be and once we face it, we should also consider how nice it would be for our loved ones, if we begin planning for that day now, by planning some or all the steps that we want to be taken for our final plans and prearranging for your funeral now.


Photo: catholicmemorials.com

There are many reasons why it is good to plan ahead and to plan for our funeral. One of the best reasons is that this keeps our family from doing it. You know when that dreadful day comes and we die, they are going to be heartbroken and possibly in shock. Do you want them to deal with every little hassle and every little detail of the ceremony? What you plan now is just one more thing they won't have to do later.

Another good reason for planning for your funeral and paying for it now is the fact that just likes everything else in life, the prices of burials rises with each passing year. If you have plans made, a burial spot paid, a casket bought, you will be saving money and your family won't have to spend any extra later.

Okay, you are decided this is a good idea; you want to plan on your burial. Where do you begin?

You might want to begin by making an appointment to speak to someone at your local funeral parlor. Ask if they have a prepaid package. If they do, go over each step with them. You can make every decision about the funeral or you can leave some of the decisions for your love ones to make. Some of the decisions that the director will probably ask you to make are:

* A casket. If saving money is one reason you are going ahead with your plans then you should consider buying one of these. Ask to see either the caskets themselves or pictures of the caskets available for purchasing.

* Whether you want your funeral to have a showing the night before the burial or just a brief showing before the actual ceremony.

* Preferences on who you wish to officiate at your service.

* Preferences on what type of music that is to be played.

* Picking out the thank you cards for your loved ones to send to those who help during the funeral and during their trying time.

* Display cards that guests take home with them that generally include a bible verse and a little information about you (date of birth, date of passing).

* Which newspapers you wish for your obituary to be recorded. This is something your loved ones will have to pay for at the time of the event.

* Where you wish to be buried. Once you make this decision, you should talk to the cemetery and see if it is possible to buy your plot and burial now. You may even be able to go ahead pay for your opening and closing. These, of course, are the main parts of any funeral cost.

* Once you have your burial plot paid for you, you may also want to consider buying your marker.

The average cost of a basic burial will run you close to $5,000. With each passing year, this price will increase. Consider doing your family a favor and consider prearranging your funeral.

Jeffrey Meier at Jam727 Enterprises at http://www.thearticlehome.com/ blog offers even more detailed information on a wide variety of topics.