June 3, 2025
Three Important Reasons to Preplan Your Funeral When Your Family Lives Far Away
Why Planning Ahead Matters
1. The First Call Comes When You're Least Prepared. Even when a death is expected, it still feels sudden. Families are often caught off guard and unsure of what to do first. The initial step—calling a funeral home—can feel overwhelming. If loved ones are unfamiliar with local options or difficult to reach, making this decision can be stressful and delayed. Preplanning ensures no one is left guessing or waiting.
2. It's a Hard Time to Make Big Decisions. In the middle of grief and travel logistics, your family will be juggling emotions and responsibilities. Choosing between burial or cremation, selecting a service location, or even deciding what clothes you'll wear—all of it becomes harder in a moment of loss. Preplanning removes that burden, giving your family clear guidance and peace of mind.
3. Give Your Family the Gift of Time Together. What your loved ones need most is each other. They need time to share memories, cry, laugh, and support one another. When you've made the big decisions in advance, you give them space to grieve and celebrate your life, not to stress over logistics. Your plan becomes a final, meaningful gift—one that lets them focus on love and legacy
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How to Protect Yourself from Scams Scams are more common than ever—on the phone, online, and even at your front door. Whether you need help around the house or someone’s asking for a donation, it's important to stay alert and follow a few clear rules to protect yourself. Rule 1: Don’t Hire Strangers Who Come to Your Door If someone knocks and offers to do work like yard care, roof repairs, or window washing: They may say they’re working nearby and offering a great deal. They might try to earn your trust or create urgency by scaring you. They often ask for money up front. What to do: Don’t open the door to strangers. Only hire professionals you contact directly and who can provide references. Rule 2: Don’t Share Personal Info Over the Phone or Internet If someone calls, emails, or texts asking for personal details, donations, or purchases: They may say it’s “free” or “for a good cause.” They may pretend to be from the IRS or Social Security. They may pressure or scare you. What to do: Never give out information or send money. Simply say, “I don’t do that over the phone,” and hang up. Use call screening to avoid unknown callers. If you’re asked to act quickly—especially involving money—take a cooling-off period . What to do: Choose a trusted friend or family member as your “decision buddy.” Make it a rule to check in with them before making any major decisions. Stay Informed and Prepared Talk with loved ones about scams. Make a short list of personal “no exception” rules. Sign up for scam alerts at AARP.org . If You’ve Been Scammed You’re not alone—and it’s not your fault. Report the scam to: Your State Attorney General The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Ask for help. Scammers are skilled manipulators—it can happen to anyone. The best protection is preparation.
Understanding Cremation: A Professional Overview Cremation has been practiced for thousands of years and continues to be an integral part of many cultures and belief systems. While it is mandated by some religions, it is prohibited by others. Governments, tasked with safeguarding public health and community standards, regulate both cremation and burial practices. Fundamentally, both cremation and burial serve the same purpose—returning the body to the earth. Cremation achieves this process rapidly, and burial is more gradual. Legally and culturally, both are accepted methods of final disposition, though cremation often raises more questions for families. Cremation takes place in a specially designed facility within a unit known as a cremation chamber, retort, or cremator. Only one individual is cremated at a time. The body, typically clothed or shrouded, is placed in a container made of combustible material before being introduced into the chamber. The cremation process usually takes between two and three hours, depending on the size of the individual and the heat capacity of the chamber. The internal temperature typically ranges between 1,500 and 1,900 degrees Fahrenheit, effectively reducing the body to basic elements, primarily bone fragments. Once the process is complete and the chamber has cooled, the remains are carefully swept from the chamber. Metals are separated and removed, and the remaining bone fragments are processed into a coarse, gravel-like consistency. The final result is a grayish- white material that is more granular than fine ash or dust. On average, cremation yields four to six pounds of remains. The individual’s height has a greater impact on the volume of remains than weight. Chemically, cremated remains consist largely of calcium carbonate. Families have several respectful and legal options for handling cremated remains, and it is essential, though often overlooked, to have a plan in place that honors the deceased and provides peace of mind for loved ones. Alkaline Hydrolysis, better known as Aquamation is another form of cremation. Alkaline hydrolysis, also known as water cremation or aquamation, is a process that uses water, heat, and an alkaline solution to dissolve human remains. It's an alternative to traditional cremation, offering a potentially more environmentally friendly option. How it works: The deceased is sealed in a stainless steel chamber. A heated solution of water and an alkaline compound (often potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide) is circulated around the body. The combination of water, heat, and alkalinity gently breaks down the soft tissues, leaving behind bone fragments. The remaining bone fragments are processed, similar to traditional cremation, to produce fine ash. The liquid solution is processed at a water treatment facility and can be returned to the natural environment. Benefits: • Environmental: Alkaline hydrolysis is generally considered more environmentally friendly than traditional cremation, as it requires less energy and doesn't produce the same emissions. • Lower energy consumption: It uses significantly less energy than traditional cremation. • No toxic emissions: It doesn't produce the same amount of toxic emissions as traditional cremation. • Reduced burial space: It can be a good alternative for those seeking to avoid traditional burial. Considerations: • Religious or cultural beliefs: Some may have reservations about this process due to religious or cultural beliefs. • Cost: The cost of alkaline hydrolysis can vary depending on location and the specific service provider. • Availability: It's not yet widely available in all areas. Disposition Options Include: • Cemetery Burial: Many cemeteries permit the burial of cremated remains in an existing family grave site, allowing for shared space and a designated place of remembrance. This can be a cost-effective option. • Scattering or Sea Burial: Ashes may be scattered on private property or buried at sea. For maritime disposition, families should refer to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines at epa.gov. Funeral homes often partner with specialized services to ensure legal and respectful sea burials. • Urns and Memorial Keepsakes: Cremated remains may be kept in a traditional urn or divided among family members using keepsake urns or memorial jewelry. This option allows for a deeply personal form of remembrance. Navigating these choices can be overwhelming, but support is available. A funeral director or advanced funeral planner can offer invaluable guidance. These professionals typically provide consultations at no cost and can ensure that your loved one's final wishes are carried out with dignity and care.
Let’s Talk About Grief We have all experienced grief in one way or another, and one of life’s unpleasant truths is that we will experience it numerous times throughout our lives. Grief is a natural reaction to a significant loss and is essential in the emotional process of recovery. Many people are under the impression that there are set “stages” of grief, however, this is an inaccurate portrayal. Some of the more common feelings that one may experience while grieving are denial, anger, guilt, and sadness- grief is simply not linear and cannot be scheduled. It is important that we allow ourselves to experience grief, however that may manifest. There is no set amount of time that can be considered “normal” and often the feelings of grief come and go for years after a great loss. Grief vs. Mourning What is the difference? While they are quite similar in definition, grief and mourning are two separate things. In Psychology, grief is known as an internal reflection of loss, while mourning is the way that we outwardly express grief. Often the two go hand-in-hand when we lose somebody that we love. Why is It Important to Mourn? While there are parts of grief that we must handle on our own, mourning is important so that you are not alone. Humans are naturally social creatures and over time, our survival has depended on community and social connections. By mourning, we allow the people around us to take part in the grieving process with us. This can look like having a funeral service or celebration of life, talking and sharing memories about your loved one, or even celebrating anniversary dates such as birthdays. Five Ways to Support Someone Who is Grieving · Actively Listening- Allow your loved one to express their feelings without judgement or input. Give them a safe space to talk about what they are experiencing. · Be Present- Let your loved one know that you are available for them, check in, and show up. Just knowing that someone is there to turn to can be a great comfort. · Acknowledge Their Loss- Offer comforting words and don’t minimize their feelings. · Show Patience and Understanding- Grief can be a rollercoaster of emotions and can be unpredictable; it may be long-lasting. Be patient and understand that your loved one’s emotions may fluctuate. · Offer Help- Offering help is a great way to show that you want to help; offer help with errands, childcare, cleaning, or meals.
