Funerals 101

24 comforting Psalms for funerals, memorials, and graveside services across Catholic, Jewish, Anglican, and Protestant traditions.

Learn how to manage finances after a loss, the legal responsibilities, and how to make a meaningful donation to charity in someone's name.

When making end of life plans, understanding the views on the acceptance of cremation in various faiths can be helpful as you navigate your disposition choices.

Explore what happens at a funeral home, how it differs from a mortuary, and what to expect after an unexpected death, including embalming and care processes.

Learn which airlines offer bereavement fares, including Delta, Air Canada, and United, and get 7 tips to save on airfare.

After the death of a loved one, you may hear the phrase “next of kin.”

Explore the impact of early loss and trauma with expert Laura van Dernoot Lipsky. Learn how grief shapes our lives and discover essential self-care strategies for those navigating trauma and mental health challenges

Honoring the memory of a loved one is an important part of the grieving process. Discover how celebrant services offer a personalized approach to create a meaningful and authentic memorial.

Download our free Guide to Closing Online and Social Accounts. Learn how to close or memorialize digital accounts and how to protect a loved one’s online legacy.

Being a funeral director goes beyond what most people realize.

When someone you care about loses a loved one, it's natural to want to extend support and be there for them.

See how funeral homes and hospice teams partner to deliver culturally competent care, honoring diverse traditions and supporting families at the end of life.

Get the facts about death certificates, what information they contain and why they are important.

When it comes to end-of-life options, myths often distort the conversation about burial.

Explore diverse global death rituals — from sky burials to jazz funerals — and reflect on how you'd like to be remembered.

When it comes to job titles like undertaker, embalmer, mortician, and funeral director, it's not uncommon to feel a sense of confusion.

Discover the top 9 essential legal steps to take when someone dies. Here are practical tips for simplifying the process, plus suggestions for preplanning.

What is a funeral? A funeral is both an ending and a beginning.

Every religion approaches death in meaningful and sacred ways to its believers.

Discover powerful artworks exploring death, grief, and mortality — from Renaissance masterpieces to contemporary works by Picasso, Munch, and Hirst.

From deathbed visits to funeral services and estranged relationships, here’s a warm, practical etiquette guide for supporting others through grief and loss.

Funerals are solemn occasions that require proper etiquette and behaviors that honor the event's significance. Here are 12 essential tips to help you be a thoughtful friend and attendee.

Explore how funeral traditions in various countries and cultures reflect both unique customs and shared values.

Affirm can help you manage funeral costs with flexible payment plans, transparent terms, and no hidden fees. Learn how to use Affirm for funeral arrangements and make financial planning easier.

Learn what goes into becoming a funeral with our mortuary school 101 guide. An excellent resource for career exploration.

Learn how long embalming preserves a body, factors affecting its duration, and what to expect during the process.​

Don’t want to cry at a funeral? Here are tips for managing your emotions without unhealthy bottling up your grief.

Navigate funeral planning with confidence using our comprehensive guide. Learn about funeral costs, consumer rights under the Funeral Rule, and tips to avoid emotional overspending. Whether choosing between burial and cremation or understanding direct cremation costs, find everything you need to make informed decisions.

Learn how to read a funeral bill and understand the General Price List (GPL) to avoid unnecessary costs.

Learn how to write a meaningful funeral biography with clear steps, examples, and tips. Honor your loved one’s memory with a well-written obituary or program tribute.

Discover what a eulogy means and how to write one. Our guide includes essential tips, eulogy examples, and advice for delivering a heartfelt tribute.

Learn how to write a funeral resolution with our step-by-step guide. Includes short examples for a parent, child, community member, and church member.

Discover how to simplify your end-of-life arrangements by skipping embalming and four other funeral extras. Reduce costs and environmental impact. Choose what's right for you and your family.

Anyone who has found themselves in the position of having to make funeral arrangements for someone else or planning their own end-of-life care...

Discover the meaning and purpose of Last Rites in Catholicism, including the sacraments involved, their spiritual significance, and how to arrange them for a loved one.

Download our free Guide to Notifying Everyday Service Providers. Learn who to contact, what to say, and how to close accounts with confidence after a loss.

If you are planning your own or a loved one’s burial in a cemetery or want to have ashes placed in a container underground there, you may be asked to buy an outer burial container, a vault, grave liner or grave box.

Notoriously slow and expensive, you might know probate is something you want to avoid, much like a speeding ticket, an IRS audit or root canal. But what exactly is it?

Download our free Guide to Settling Memberships, Subscriptions, and Other Commitments. Learn how to close accounts, cancel services, and bring closure after a loss.

Ensure you're covering all necessary steps after a loved one's passing with this comprehensive 13-point notification checklist.

Download our free guide on managing investments, accounts, and titles after a loved one’s death, with step-by-step checklists and expert tips.

Download our free Out of Area Protection Guide. Learn how travel protection ensures your loved ones aren’t left with financial or logistical burdens if the unexpected happens away from home.

Download our free guide to Social Security benefits. Learn who qualifies, what documents are needed, and how to apply for survivor support.

To help us understand what may be ahead for all of us as we reach the end of our lives, we turned to some of our favorite palliative care doctors...

In a world where every act of kindness counts, there is a selfless act that has the power to transform lives long after we're gone.

Preplanning can alleviate a significant amount of stress for both you and your loved ones. To simplify your preplanning experience, here are ten terms to add to your vocabulary.

Explore the customs and rituals of Amish, Catholic, Baptist, and Shinto funerals. Learn what to expect and how to honor each tradition respectfully.​

Navigate funeral costs with confidence using our guide on understanding fees, rights under the Funeral Rule, and tips for planning a meaningful service within your budget.

Download our free Guide to Unfinished Business. Follow step-by-step checklists for handling legal, financial, and personal matters after a loved one’s death.

Explore our comprehensive guide to Veterans' Burial Benefits and learn how the U.S. government honors the service of veterans with funeral and burial supports. This guide covers eligibility, VA burial allowances, military honors, and more, providing essential information to help alleviate the financial and emotional burdens of planning a veteran's funeral.

With passing comes paperwork. High on the checklist after the death of a parent or loved one will be securing a death certificate, which some call the “most important legal document in existence.”

Discover the ancient and modern role of professional mourners around the world, from Egypt to the U.S., and why this unique funeral tradition still exists today.

Learn what a pallbearer does, who to choose, and what to expect. This guide covers pallbearer duties, etiquette, and tips for first-timers at funerals or memorials.

Not sure what to expect at a traditional funeral? Learn about the key elements, etiquette, and how to prepare in this traditional funeral guide.

Discover what happens when someone dies with no next of kin, including who takes care of the body, what happens to belongings, and how to plan ahead without family.

Discover what a double funeral is, why families choose them, and how they work. Learn about double funeral etiquette, planning tips, and notable examples.

Honor your loved one with a personalized, themed funeral that celebrates their passions and legacy. Discover 10 unforgettable funeral theme ideas for a meaningful and unique farewell.

Wondering how long to keep tax records after a death? Learn IRS guidelines, what to save forever, and how to safely dispose of documents.

Get thoughtful guidance on funeral attire for all seasons and settings, including kids’ clothing, what to avoid wearing, and how to dress for a celebration of life.

Agreeing to be an executor for a close friend or a relative is a generous gift.

Learn who has the legal right to make funeral arrangements in your state. Understand next of kin laws, legal rights for final disposition, and how to ensure your funeral wishes are respected.

Understand how state laws determine next of kin and their role in funeral arrangements and estate handling. Learn to navigate these legalities with the help of a funeral professional.

Can’t find an obituary for a loved one? Learn the common reasons why and discover how to write a meaningful tribute using our free online obituary tool.

More women are shaping the future of funeral service as directors, death doulas, and industry leaders. Learn how they’re modernizing death care with compassion and innovation.