3 Ways to Honor a Loved One Who Has Passed Away Traditional memorial services capture the essence of a loved one. Each individual brings something unique to this world, so you’ll want the memorial service to be unique to him or her. In the midst of wondering how to plan a memorial service, it can Continue reading
Memorial Services: Telling the Story of a Lifetime During funeral services, it’s not uncommon for friends and family to speak about what their loved one meant to them, but what happens afterward? When the departed has reached his or her resting place, can any following memorial services tell a complete life story? How can you Continue reading
Top 4 Places to Inter Cremated Remains in Florida If you’re preparing for an end-of-life ceremony and you’re considering interring cremated remains in the Sunshine State, you’re on the right track. Florida is one of the best states in the U.S. for cremation and memorializing, and not just because of the sun, ocean, and views. Continue reading
Why are more and more people choosing cremation over burial during end-of-life preparations? There’s a lot to unpack in that question: For example, cremation offers more ways to be memorialized, there’s the opportunity for family members to each receive an urn, it’s increasingly embraced by different religions, and its history is just as storied as Continue reading
The passing of a loved one is an emotional time in anyone’s life. Navigating grief while it is still fresh can push everything else to the back of your mind, including the logistics required to plan and execute a cremation funeral. Unfortunately, arrangements still need to be made, and in such a raw state, it Continue reading
When you are young, you hardly worry about the prospect of falling. Generally, the worst that happens is a small bruise, be it on your tailbone or your ego. Even if the fall is more severe than usual, broken bones tend to recover more easily when you’re younger, and you retain a greater independence during Continue reading
While everyone should take the time to consider their end-of-life plans with family and loved ones, that process is all the more important for veterans and active service members. That’s because there are a number of circumstances, benefits, and services these men and women will have to take into consideration that don’t apply to the Continue reading
These days, eco-conscious decisions can be found in just about every industry. Across the U.S., more and more people are trying to reduce their carbon footprint, limit their pollution, recycle more often, compost their biodegradable trash, and drive in electric cars – or just bike. The funeral industry is no different: Families have begun seeking Continue reading
When a member of the military dies or is permanently injured as a direct result of their service, the government offers their loved ones a variety of benefits. These offerings are administered through the Veterans Benefits Administration and can help provide security during a difficult and tumultuous time. The following are included, according to the VBA’s official Continue reading
Writing a will, like so much of end of life planning, can be emotionally difficult. Doing so forces you to confront your own mortality and make tough decisions about how you would like your family to proceed once you are gone. As difficult as this process is, it is necessary, lest succession laws govern how to settle your Continue reading
Having the talk about end-of-life decisions with your parents is no simple feat, as no one wants to think about death. However, planning for the end of your loved ones’ lives can safeguard their well-being and put your mind at ease. Knowing exactly who your parents want making important decisions for them, how they prefer Continue reading
If you’re the primary caregiver for a loved one who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, you’ll have to assist in making arrangements to secure their financial future. According to the National Institutes on Aging, although dealing with end-of-life decisions is never easy, legal and medical experts highly recommend that people review their financial arrangements Continue reading
Helping Those Experiencing a Loss Over the Holidays Talking to friends who may have lost a loved one over the holiday season can be tricky. Most people don’t know what to say or feel helpless when their friends grieve in front of them. However, those in grief often benefit from the support of friends and Continue reading
Remembering Loved Ones During the Holidays It is difficult to lose a loved one, and the holidays can be a painful reminder of those who have passed away. However, remembering your loved one in small ways through the holidays can help to ease the pain and allow you to recover. Below are a few suggestions Continue reading
Hurting Over the Holidays; Ways to Cope with Loss Losing a loved one over the holiday season is heartbreaking. While everyone else is fussing over getting the perfect gift or ensuring they have all the best decorations up, the holiday season can leave the bereaved lonelier and sadder during what most consider the most wonderful Continue reading
National Cremation Society 2015 Winter Holiday Events The holidays are almost here! While some look forward to shopping and participating in winter activities, others are finding simple ways to help the less fortunate among us. For many, ’tis the season to spend time with family and remember loved ones who have passed. Toys for Tots Continue reading
National Cremation Society Celebrates Veterans Day The National Cremation Society is grateful for the services our brave veterans have provided for the United States of America over the years. To celebrate their achievements and their courage, the National Cremation Society is giving back to veterans through events and giveaways at some National Cremation Society storefront Continue reading
Passing Without a Plan It may seem hard to conceive, but many Americans pass away in care facilities without any life insurance policy or savings for final arrangements. Often, when a needy senior citizen passes in a care center, the financial burden of a burial, cremation, or any type of service becomes the responsibility of Continue reading
What do I do with my National Cremation Society Memento Kit? Upon receiving the Memento Kit that comes with a National Cremation prepaid cremation, many don’t know exactly what to do with it. The Memento Kit has a variety of uses, and it is much more than a fancy box. Here are a few ideas Continue reading
Celebrities Choosing Cremation Cremation is a final needs option that’s becoming more popular today. It’s so appealing that even famous celebrities and their families choose it over traditional burial. The benefits of cremation simply cannot be ignored. With National Cremation, this service is affordable, simple, professional, flexible and environmentally-friendly. Here are five celebrities who have Continue reading
Most people don’t start thinking about their end until they’ve become a senior citizen. Yet life is unpredictable and often uncontrollable. It never plays fair. That’s why adults of any age should seriously consider preplanning their cremation and creating a living will.
What Is Cremation? Because cremation is often more affordable and flexible than traditional funeral and burial options, it has risen in popularity greatly in recent years. However, many families don’t fully understand the cremation process. To educate our National Cremation families and readers on cremation, we’ve created this brief post on the cremation process and Continue reading
Best Grief Books to Help You Heal It takes a lot of courage to heal from the loss of a loved one. For many of us, reading a good book about grief is one of many helpful ways to recover. We at National Cremation believe that each person has a unique way of grieving, so Continue reading
Burial is a ritual act where we lay our deceased loved ones into the ground, often with fond belongings and prayers or speeches. However, the picture of a traditional burial like this has evolved through the centuries. Now there is much more to burial and many alternatives to this centuries-old human tradition.
To a person undergoing a painful experience such as the loss of a loved one, grief, mourning, and recovery takes time. If your loss is sudden you may feel that you never had the time to plan your loved one’s last wishes. National Cremation understands and guides you through this difficult time. That’s why we offer these grief support resources to help you through your emotional transition.
The cremation of a loved one does not end upon the acceptance of his or her ashes. Some prefer setting up a traditional funeral or a memorial service to show how much a family member means. If you’re wondering whether you can have funeral or memorial services with cremation, National Cremation has the answer: Yes, you can.
National Cremation is sometimes asked whether the law requires the use of a funeral home to plan and facilitate a cremation or memorial service. In Oregon and most other states, the short answer is no – the law does not require it. Funeral homes and cremation service providers are governed by both state law as well as the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule, which states that consumers have the right to only purchase the funeral goods and services they want, including no services if that is their choice.
If a pet-owning friend or loved one recently passed away, you may be faced with the question of what to do with the pets they left behind. Unfortunately, every year between 5 and 7 million companion animals enter animal shelters due to the death of their owners. Of these, approximately 3 to 4 million are euthanized (60 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats) when adequate homes cannot be found for them.
If you or a loved one served on active duty or in certain reserve branches of the US Armed forces, you may be eligible for a Veteran’s Administration (VA) burial allowance and other benefits as a result of your service to our country. According to Dorsey Thomas, Location Manager of National Cremation Service’s Atlanta office, “The first question I always get asked is, ‘What are VA benefits?’ So many times, veterans and their families are completely unaware of these benefits until the death has already occurred.”
In 1960, only 3.6% of Americans chose cremation. The projected cremation rate for 2015 is astronomically higher at 48.2%. That’s a 1,238.88% increase in the number of people choosing cremation over a span of just 65 years. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the projected cremation rate will continue to rise in the coming years, with 55.8% of Americans expected to choose cremation in 2020 and 70.6% in 2030.
In 1858, Mr. John Gray of Edinburgh, Scotland passed away and was buried in Greyfriars Churchyard. His Skye Terrier, Bobby, spent every night for the next 14 years lying on his master’s grave regardless of rain, hail and snow until his own death in 1872. A statue and water fountain were erected in 1873 to honor Bobby’s devotion.
Writing an obituary offers a chance to notify others of your loved one’s passing, and is also an opportunity to celebrate life and share what made that person special to those who loved them. Because of this dual purpose, obituary writing often feels challenging, due to the great responsibility that the obituary writer carries both to the person who is gone, as well as to those left behind.
There is a certain finality to burial that cremation sometimes lacks. As you watch the coffin descend, you’re able to come to terms with the fact that life is over and you must say goodbye. But when you receive your loved one’s remains, there’s still one large unanswered question – what do you do with them?
While being asked to deliver a eulogy is an honor, the fear of speaking in public can be overwhelming. Talking about a difficult, stressful, confusing and painful subject like death can often make this fear worse. But take heart in the fact that you were asked to do this because of the close bond you shared with this person. You wouldn’t have been asked if the family didn’t trust you. Their goal is not to make you uncomfortable or make a display of your grief. They’ve asked you because they feel you are best suited to help everyone else say goodbye and remember the good times.
A cremation society is an organization made up of members who want to ensure their future cremation. Their membership in the society allows them to establish a detailed plan for their memorial and cremation that includes budget, final wishes and any personal arrangements so that their family is spared the pain and struggle of making these arrangements in the difficult time after their passing.
For many children, the death of a loved one may be their first experience with the concepts of mortality, death and dying. For others, the death may come at a time when they already understand those concepts, but may not know much about what happens after. In either case, National Cremation recommends that you keep a child’s developmental stage in mind when discussing difficult topics such as death and cremation.
At National Cremation, our funeral directors are frequently asked whether or not funeral expenses are a tax deductible expense. Although we advise you to consult a tax specialist who can answer this question more fully according to the specifics of your case, there are some general rules to consider when answering this question.
With death comes grief – and a host of other difficult decisions, mundane details and crucial choices. Among the many things you’ll have to deal with are how to access and/or cancel your loved one’s various online accounts and subscriptions. If your loved one has not left a list of usernames and passwords or clear instructions for what they want done with their accounts and who should be in charge of carrying out these final wishes, it can be difficult to know what to do or how to get control.
Eligible military veterans are entitled to certain benefits when it comes to cremation and burial. If your loved one has been an honorably discharged veteran, National Cremation helps you obtain benefits in accordance with the US Department of Veterans Affairs service arrangements.
When a loved one dies, you’ll have to cope with a wide range of emotions. You may feel shock, confusion, sadness, loneliness, anger, anxiety, guilt, relief or any combination of these. Yet while you’re experiencing these emotions, there are also practical concerns you’ll have to take into consideration. You’ll want to inform family and friends of the loved one’s passing. You’ll have to alert various government agencies and businesses as well. You’ll have to start planning the service, or even make decisions regarding what kind of service to hold if there has been no prearrangement.
The Cremation Association of North America estimates that in 2015, over 44% of those who pass will choose cremation for their final arrangement. Cremation is an excellent affordable alternative to burial, but sometimes consumers have concerns about the process.
One concern is the possibility of losing or misplacing cremated remains. Dorsey Thomas, Location Manager of National Cremation Service in Atlanta, stated, “National Cremation understands the need to know for certain if the cremains we deliver to your family will be yours. As the nation’s largest cremation services provider and as licensed professionals in our field, we are bound by our ethical and professional obligation to serve individuals and families and to perform our duties to the highest standard of the law. We work hard to uphold the trust of the individuals and families that choose us to help them carry out their last wishes.”