How to Write an Obituary
Like most pieces of good writing, an obituary should tell a story. The author of the obituary is free to compose an obituary in any style that honors the deceased person and respects the sensitivities of survivors. The tone could be very serious or even a bit humorous, depending upon the subject and survivors. Like a memorial service or funeral, an obituary should communicate important facts about a departed loved one and help to celebrate...
How to Plan a Simple Cremation
Traditionally, people hold funeral services before they bury a body. However in recent times, many families find that it makes more sense to plan a quick, simple cremation as soon as possible. This task is made even easier if the cremation was planned in advance, but even without preplanning, cremation can be done quickly. A simple cremation can make planning the final disposition affordable and relatively free of stress. What is a Simple Cremation? Direct...
How to Create a Custom Urn
In most cases, people have a lot of freedom with the type of urn that they can choose to store cremation ashes. Choosing the right one will depend upon taste and use more than anything. Some materials that are used to create urns include glass, wood, and even paper products. If you plan to store and display this kind of container permanently, you might even choose to create a custom urn that will help memorialize...
How to Budget for an Affordable Funeral Cost
It doesn't matter if the economy is good or bad; the funeral industry still has plenty of customers. If you haven't been involved in planning a funeral lately, the average funeral cost in the United States may surprise you. A very recent survey from the National Funeral Director's Association reported that average U.S. funerals and burials cost well over $8,000, which is just about 30% more than the average cost from a decade earlier. Many...
Dispelling 3 Common Myths About the Cremation Process
Cremation has been more or less common in different societies since the discovery of fire. While the thought of cremation might conjure up images of flaming Viking vessels or outdoor funeral pyres, those examples don't provide a good visual of the modern cremation process. A modern cremation occurs under very controlled circumstances and is a very respectful way to honor a deceased loved one. Dispelling Three Myths About the Modern Cremation Process In order to...
What You Need to Know About Scattering Ashes at Sea
Ashes from a cremation simply contain harmless minerals and shouldn't harm the environment. Scattering ashes at sea has become such a common choice for cremated remains in Boston and across the country that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published guidelines to cover this activity. If you are planning an ash scattering for yourself or a loved one, this brief summary can ensure that you remain in compliance with EPA regulations. What to...
How to Memorialize a Loved One with Cremation Jewelry
One advantage of cremation is that it offers you many ways to honor your loved one. After cremation, you will get a few pounds of your loved one's ashes. Many people choose to scatter, bury, or store their loved one’s ashes in an urn in a visible place. You might even consider different types of cremation jewelry, such as necklace pendants, bracelets or even rings. If you choose one of these options, you have a...
How to Choose Urns for Cremation
If you decide on cremation, you will have a choice of containers to hold the ashes. You can find many different types of urns for cremation. Some of these are meant to be permanent vessels but others are only intended to temporarily hold the ashes until they are scattered or moved to other receptacles. At first, the number of choices might seem overwhelming; however, if you spend some time thinking about what you will use...
Cremation Vs. Burial: Exploring the Pros and Cons
How do you and your loved ones want to be honored after you pass away? Ideally, you and family members will sit down and make plans in advance based on your finances, spiritual beliefs, and personal values. If your loved one has passed already, you may attempt to interpret how they would have wanted to be honored. A good understanding of the options available to you is critical. Consider this comparison of different alternatives to...
6 Ways to Personalize Your Loved One’s Cremation Services
At Boston Cremation, we think that every family should have a chance to celebrate the life of their loved ones in their own way. Cremation services allow for enough flexibility to suit both the tastes of survivors and fulfill the final wishes of the deceased. If you decide to honor your friend or family member in a very traditional or a very unique way, you might consider some of these ideas to help personalize the...