If you’re seeking clues to funeral traditions, you might look at obituaries. Current obituaries often are found online. Older obituaries, such as the one shown at left, can be found at genealogical sites and through newspaper archive sites. Look for a specific fraternity, religion or ethnic leaning when you conduct your searches, and you might be rewarded with some information on whether tradition is important, or if it is eschewed for more modern rites.
Filed under: Death & Dying, Death Practices, Funeral Arrangements, Traditions on June 9th, 2009 | No Comments »
Have you opted for cremation after death? If so, you may enjoy picking out your urn now. Even if death makes you feel squeamish, you can be entertained by the options available – anything you can imagine may be available or possibly created just for you or your loved ones.
Filed under: Cemeteries, Funeral Arrangements on May 13th, 2009 | No Comments »
Have you ever wondered why bagpipes often are played at police and firefighter funerals? This practice in the United States dates back before the Civil War and after the Great Potato Famine when Irish landed on these shores in unprecedented numbers. Although many arrived with just rags on their backs, they also brought a beautiful and haunting tradition with them.
Filed under: Funeral Arrangements on May 3rd, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Embalming, as an art and a practice, began in ancient Egypt as mummification, and has grown throughout the centuries to become a necessity at times, a blasphemy to some and a horror to others. Embalming, in most modern cultures, is the art and science of temporarily preserving human remains to forestall decomposition and to make them suitable for display at a funeral. According to Wikipedia:
Filed under: Death & Dying, Funeral Arrangements, History of Funerals, Traditions on April 16th, 2009 | 2 Comments »
People expect the liquor industry, films and other forms of ‘entertainment’ to do well during a recession. These businesses offer individuals a way to escape reality, even if it’s for just an hour or two. But, who knew that the funeral industry would receive attention during this economic turmoil? A brief look through recent news articles brings some interesting perspectives to this death care field.
Filed under: Alternatives, Death Care News, Funeral Arrangements on March 26th, 2009 | No Comments »
A trend today in funerals is to focus on the celebration of a life that passed, rather than focus on that person’s life in the “hereafter.” But, many families are stymied when it comes to that celebration, as they often aren’t prepared to unanimously agree on the funeral arrangements. This type of celebration is best planned ahead, and the best person to plan it is the person who won’t be around to enjoy it.
Filed under: Alternatives, Funeral Arrangements on December 29th, 2008 | 1 Comment »