Final Arrangements

Planning Ahead for Final Arrangements

Ironically, final arrangements commonly associated with death -- from obituary notices to burial or internment -- are among life's most expensive purchases, running an average of $6,000 for basics and well over $10,000 when common extras such as flowers and limos are added to the total...

How to Arrange for a Body Burial

Body burial or direct burial simply means placing a body in the ground after death, although it also applies to storing the whole body aboveground in a mausoleum, vault, or other type of crypt. The body is generally placed in some type of receptacle first.

Buying a Casket or Urn

Most mortuaries and funeral homes offer caskets to contain bodies and urns or other containers for cremated remains, also known as cremains. However, a growing number of people choose to make or supply their own as one way to make a fitting tribute to the deceased person.

How to Write a Meaningful Eulogy

Writing a eulogy at a time when you're probably already grieving might feel like more than you can handle. But if you can take a deep breath and put your apprehensions aside, you'll find that it can be a profound and satisfying experience -- allowing you to help others celebrate your loved one's life and work through your own grief at the same time...

How to Deliver a Eulogy for Your Parent

Giving a eulogy for a parent who has recently died isn't easy, but it's something you'll never regret doing. This is your opportunity to celebrate your parent -- and to say good-bye. It's normal to feel some nervousness and apprehension, but remember that people have come to grieve and honor your parent...

End-of-Life Arrangements: A Resource List

Quick summary

From what money are final expenses paid first?

I have been living with my girlfriend for 8 years. She has passed and I have a life insurance policy on her from my work and she owns land with her siblings passed down from her parents. She has never paid a dime for this policy and has no other policy to pay for expenses. Who is required to pay his final debts, creditors and funeral arrangements...

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How to Place an Obituary

The traditional media outlet for publishing an obituary is a newspaper, though there are a growing number of specialized obituary and memorial tribute websites.

How to Get a Physician's Certificate and Death Certificate

When someone dies, you'll need to obtain a physician's certificate and a death certificate for legal and estate purposes.

Quick Guide to Death Notifications

There are several ways to publicly announce the death of your loved one. They include:

What Is Embalming?

Embalming is a process in which a body is drained of blood and gases and pumped with replacement fluids to temporarily slow its disintegration.

How to Arrange for a Body Donation

If the person in your care has expressed a desire to have his or her whole body donated -- called a whole-body donation because the body must be intact, except for the possible donation of eyes -- to a local medical school for research and instruction, the procedures for donating differ depending on the institution...

What Is an Autopsy?

Autopsies -- the examination and dissection of a body to determine the cause of death -- may be mandatory, when required by law, or discretionary, when made at the request of surviving family members.

How to Arrange for a Cremation

A parent who has been a member of a funeral or memorial society, or who has other written wishes or prepaid plans for cremation, may also have specified which cremation service he or she prefers. This information will be available in the funeral or memorial society contract or in a separate written directive...

Does a sibling have any say in her mother's burial planning if she does not have power of attorney?

A friend of mine has a sister who has recently become their mom's power of attorney. I don't know if it is general or health type. My friend's mom has recently been transferred to a hospice care facility. My friend already has a mortuary site and stone paid for. She is concerned that her sister won't want their mom to be buried where previously decided...

1 Expert Answer