If Your Loved One Died Today, Would You Know What to Do?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Katherine_Mariaca-Sullivan]Katherine Mariaca-Sullivan
If a loved one died today, would you know what to do? Would you know whom to call? Sadly, we are often unprepared for death and, as such, are unprepared for all the decisions that have to be made and all the tasks that must be accomplished in a very short time when someone we love dies.
In the United States, when a person dies, some of the initial decisions that have to be made include:
1- Will his/her organs be donated? And, if so, have arrangements been made with an organ and/or tissue bank?
2- Will his/her body be donated? And, if so, to which agency or school?
3- Will you use the services of a funeral home? Seven states require that you do, regardless of your personal choice.
4- Will there be a Viewing? If so, and if you are working with a funeral home, you may be required to have your loved one's body embalmed.
5- Which services will you arrange? There are many to choose from including a Viewing, Visitation, Funeral Service (whether religious or not), and Memorial Service. Or, you could create a service that is wholly unique.
6- What will you have done with your loved one's body? Burial and cremation are the most obvious choices, but there are many more that you can choose from and which may be more appropriate for you, for your loved one, and for your loved one's family.
7- If choosing in-ground burial, will it be in a public or private cemetery? Will you bury your loved one on private land (for which, depending upon where you live, you may be required to get a permit)?
8- If, on the other hand, you choose burial in a mausoleum, are you aware of casket restrictions that the mausoleum may have in place? Many mausoleums do not allow popular "sealer caskets" as they pose a possible danger to the building.
9- Do you prefer (or would your loved one have preferred) a "green" burial? If so, have you located a cemetery, or other final resting place, that allows green burials? Have you chosen between a hybrid burial ground, a natural burial ground or a conservation burial ground?
10- If you have chosen cremation, have you considered what to do with your loved one's "ashes"?
11- If your loved one was honorably discharged from one of the branches of our military, do you know how to ensure that he/she receives the honors accorded him/her?
12- Are you aware of, and have you considered, the many ways that you can save money when someone dies? There is no need to go bankrupt when planning a funeral, yet many families fall deeply into debt when a family member dies.
Death is not an easy subject to discuss and, as such, we tend to avoid it. Because of this, when someone close to us dies, we are confronted with a slew of decisions that must be made quickly - at a time when we are most vulnerable. Unfortunately, when confronted with those decisions, we often turn to those who actually benefit from death, funeral homes and funeral directors, to help us make our choices.
Knowing the decisions that have to be made, and understanding the choices available, can help families through this extremely difficult time. While it cannot replace grief, making the best decisions regarding the final disposition of a loved one can bring a measure of peace.
Katherine Mariaca-Sullivan is a hospice volunteer with the Visiting Nurses Association of Manchester, N.H. Her book, When a Loved One Dies: The Complete Guide to Preparing a Dignified & Meaningful Goodbye, is a how-to guide for families faced with the death of a loved one, whether expected or sudden. The book is available at Amazon, both in print and as an eBook, as well as at Barnes & Noble and at other retailers. The book contains short, actionable chapters that allow readers to understand the choices they must make and to make the appropriate decisions.
For more on this book, please visit: http://www.theessentialebooker.com/books/when-a-loved-one-dies-guide/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?If-Your-Loved-One-Died-Today,-Would-You-Know-What-to-Do?&id=6599366] If Your Loved One Died Today, Would You Know What to Do?

What Will Your Funeral Be Like?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Marie_Andrews]Lisa Marie Andrews
Some of you may think that funerals are very sad and are all doom and gloom. Well, funerals are actually meant to be a celebration of life. So, yes, while a funeral is a sad occasion, it is meant to remember a loved one's life and all of the fun happy memories. There are many different ways you can make a funeral elegant and beautiful in order to celebrate your life.
If you would like, you could always have a funeral with a specific theme, perhaps a color. Having a funeral by color could be a great way to celebrate someone who had breast cancer (pink), someone who had Alzheimer's (purple), or even for someone who lived a Green life and was environmentally conscious (green). Many people are having their funerals planned with a color in mind. Some go all out with their colors by even getting a hearse that matches the flowers, programs, and their coffin. If you do decide you want your funeral to be color coordinated but aren't sure what color, think about what the flower color may mean. Perhaps you are the type of person who loves anyone and everyone the second that you meet them and have no enemies; you may want red flowers because they symbolize love. You could also think about what things you like. If you like the ocean, you may want a blue themed funeral and have your remains made into an eternal reef that is submerged in the sea. Maybe you love the wilderness, have a log cabin, or camp often; a brown theme can help remember those rugged outdoorsy types.
This may not be the fanciest type of funeral ever, but if you lived green and want to continue being green even in death, there are many options. Of course, going with the color them, everything could be green. First, you will need to look for the eco-friendly ways to store your remains. If you wish to be cremated, you could use a no-flame cremation. For those who would like to be buried, you can opt for a no-casket burial, or use a green casket made out of bamboo or cardboard. No-casket or green casket burials normally can only be buried in certain cemeteries. You may decide aquamation, where water helps speed along the natural process, is the best option for you as an alternative to cremation. Perhaps the blue themed funeral sounded interesting to you with the eternal reef. The eternal reef is made partly of cement and your remains and is placed in the ocean to provide a home or reef for different oceanic creatures.
People who leave great impressions that have people talking even after the party is over; you may want to think about some party favors, well actually, funeral favors. There are many different types of favors you can have for your friends and family to keep you in their hearts. One of these is a fortune cookie. If you give all sorts of advice, you may decide to put your best advice and a few fortunes. That way when people open up their cookie, they have your wise words to live by. If you the ultimate jokester, you can have a few of your best and favorite jokes for people to remember you by when they open their fortune cookies, unless they are bad jokes, then they are unfortunate cookies. Perhaps you are the super chef and have always been asked "can I have that recipe?" And you respond, "Ha! When I'm dead." Well, you can hand out recipe books with a few of your favorite recipes, so you can live on through your favorite foods.
There are so many things you can do to make your funeral fun, fancy, and elegant. Things don't always have to be grey with these situations, unless that's your funeral's theme color. Just make sure that your family and friends are taken care of by writing your will and wishes out before anything happens. Also, look into getting life insurance, that way your family can pay for your last celebration and remember you in the way you want them too without them having to drop a dime.
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Will-Your-Funeral-Be-Like?&id=6700601] What Will Your Funeral Be Like?

Funeral Tributes

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kim_Gibson]Kim Gibson
Spoken funeral tributes offer comfort to those grieving the loss of loved ones. Although different from a eulogy, the person delivering the tribute should spend time crafting the message with the hopes of lending added support and comfort to mourners during this difficult time.
What to Say
It's normal to feel a bit unsure about what to say during a funeral or memorial service. Even the best public speakers get nervous when it's time to address a congregation at a funeral or memorial service, typically because emotions are running so high. It can be difficult to find the right words to reminisce about old times. Words of kindness and sympathy are always welcome. Tributes can also include light-hearted thoughts and stories about you relationship with the deceased. It is best to not be too humorous or too somber. A tribute should celebrate the deceased person's life and explore his or her character and personality.
Don't Overstep Your Boundaries
Your tribute should be appropriate for everyone in the room. If you are not a close family or friend, make sure your words are not easily offensive. It's best not to talk about old frat house parties or wild adventures unless all funeral-goers will understand its significance. You may want to consider discussing the main points of your speech with a family member of the deceased if you are unsure about the appropriateness of the content in your tribute.
Delivering the Funeral Tribute
If you are not a public speaker, spend time practicing your speech in front of a mirror or friend. You can choose to use note cards to help you remember key points. Be mindful of time. Make sure you honor any time limits that the family has set. If you still are not comfortable speaking, you may want to pass it on to a friend or family to deliver on your behalf. Speak slowly and enunciate all of your words. It is OK to get emotional during your presentation too. It is a funeral, after all, and it is overwhelming at times. Your goal is to present a proper and memorable speech to those in attendance.
Speaking at a funeral is an honor. The family chose you not only because of your relationship to the deceased, but because of the type of person you are. Even if you get emotional and cry during the presentation, feel proud that you were able to write and deliver a tribute for the family during this hard time.

Kimberly Gibson is owner of Elegant Memorials [http://elegantmemorials.com/funeral-programs]Funeral Programs. She also writes and publishes a wide range of articles in funeral and memorial planning including information on [http://elegantmemorials.com/funeral-tributes]funeral tributes
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Funeral-Tributes&id=6710212] Funeral Tributes

10 Tips To Properly Organize A Funeral

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Elvie_Look]Elvie Look
Even though we all face dying, this is a topic we don't want to think about, let alone talk about. It seems too morbid! But do you want all those hard decisions thrust upon your family in such a difficult time? Do not leave the decision making to them, have your wishes down in writing.
Or perhaps you have recently lost a loved one and are having to deal with all the decision making and arrangements. At such a difficult time when you are in mourning and cannot think straight, it would be good to have a list to refer to and give some direction on what to do. Here is that list to make this difficult time easier for you or your loved ones.
1. Notify Authorities
If someone dies outside of the hospital or nursing home you need to notify the authorities. Call 911 or your local emergency number to report the death. They will likely then call the Coroner, but it is a good idea for you to do so also, especially when it involves a Death Insurance Policy. Notify their place of Employment. Also contact the Executor.
Eventually, other Authorities that need to be contacted are: Lawyer, Accountant, Insurance Companies, Health Insurance, Bank, Memberships to cancel, and Driver's license to cancel.
Be sure to get sufficient copies of the Death Certificate, as many companies (such as Banks and Insurance Companies) require a copy of the Death Certificate.
2. Contact Close Family and Friends
The police are required to notify the next of kin, but you will no doubt want to notify other members who would want to know and may have to start making travel arrangements. If you are making this list for yourself, note the names and numbers on the printable list attached of ones you would like to be notified in the event of your death.
If you are dealing with grief, you do not have to make all the calls. Perhaps call one family member from each side of the deceased's family and let them be responsible for notifying all of their family. Call a close friend and give them the list of ones you would like to be notified. There will be enough on your plate, so this narrows your phone calls to three.
Also, the phone will start ringing off the hook, and you will find yourself facing extreme exhaustion taking all of the calls and explaining the circumstances over and over. Have someone you can depend on to be there to take all the incoming calls.
3. Find The Will
This can be a challenge if you do not know where the will is, or the key to the Safety Deposit Box. It is a good idea to have a Fireproof Box. Inside the box should be important documents, instructions, the key to the Safety Deposit Box. In the advent of death, your family and loved ones know right where to go.
4. Gather Information
Gather information you will need for the completion of the Death Certificate with Vital Statistics, for the Funeral Director, and for Memorial Cards:

Parent's names, including middle initials
Social Security or Social Insurance Number
Date of Birth, Place of Birth, and Date of Death
Marriage Certificate
House and Land Titles
Place of Employment, name and address and occupation
Education 1-12
College 1-4 or 5+
Name of Father
Name of Mother (Maiden)
Names of Children
Special accomplishments of the deceased - athletic, political, religious, scientific

5. Burial Arrangements
The Funeral Director will guide you through much of this process, but knowing where this information is or having it ready will make this difficult time a little easier. Here are some of the things you need to consider:

Cremation or Embalming
The site for the Service, it could be a Church, Temple, Funeral Home or graveside
If Embalming, you will need to consider the type of burial
Clothing & Jewellery if having a traditional burial.
Cemetery plot - purchase one or have a copy of the Deed.
Urn or Type of Casket - wood, metal, or rough box
Open or closed Casket
Funeral or Memorial Service - service before or after the burial or cremation. Will there be a graveside ceremony?
Decide if you want the body or Remains at the service

6. Obituary
Compose an obituary. Information to Include:

Vital Statistics including where born, name of parents and the surviving family members
Memberships & Associations
Hobbies
Details about the funeral, the Funeral home friends may call, date and times, Service & burial time.
List of Newspapers to submit, Radio, and/or the Internet

7. Funeral Plans

Choose the type of service - a Funeral or Memorial Service
Choose the location of the Service & the luncheon - at a Church, Funeral Home or graveside
Eulogies - Decide who will deliver the eulogy. You will need to consult with them and provide them with information about the deceased as well as other details.
Appoint Pall Bearers - usually 4 to 6 men are needed
Choose Music - Some soothing instrumental, or songs that have special meaning, or perhaps a family friend will be a vocalist or instrumentalist
Choose Flower arrangements - for the Service, a casket spray
Choose Pictures - photo album or slide show in memory of the deceased's life
Props - There may be something that reflects the love and interest of the deceased
Memorial Cards - Will you have them printed or make your own
Guest Book - purchase a guest book for guests to sign as they arrive
Transportation - for the family to the service and to the grave site
Grave Marker - Choice of marker or stone, Engraving and Inscription on the Stone
Accommodations for out of town relatives, delegate ones who can assist with travel, and airport pickup
Legal Matters

8. Memorial Cards
Memorial Cards are small cards that the Funeral Home usually print as a testimony to the deceased. Or you will need to supply them with copies to be given to the attendees. Just a small touch but can mean so much in the memory of the deceased, and can give comfort to the ones who are grieving. They can be laminated and can include a thank note from the family, favourite photos, a prayer, scripture or religious song. With the convenience of the computer and software program, you can make your own. There are examples on the Internet.
9. Funeral Luncheon
Give thought to the location of the luncheon and who will cater it. Often many family and friends need to travel to attend the funeral, and so you will want to give some refreshments before they travel back. Possibly your Funeral Home provides that service for a fee, or a local Association, hire a Catering Company, or get friends to organize it.
10. Thank You Cards
You will need lots of cards to send out a thank you to friends and family and Associations. You may also want to submit a Thank You to your local newspaper.
Elvie Look: Your Professional Organizing Coach who is helping people get organized with her easy tips and suggestions. These systems help the busy mom, businessman or woman, �entrepreneur or student learn the keys to organizing in simple, actionable and manageable steps. She teaches how to get organized and maintain your organized space while carrying on your normal busy life. She is the author of "21 Steps From Chaos To Calm and "One-A-Day" Tips. http://elviesessentials.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?10-Tips-To-Properly-Organize-A-Funeral&id=6688984] 10 Tips To Properly Organize A Funeral