![Person sitting at desk in front of a laptop, doing a Google search](https://www.funeralbasics.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/shutterstock_2031053153-min-600x403.jpg)
With the introduction of the internet, estate planning became a smidge more complicated than it used to be. Why? Because now we must take our digital (online) estate into account…
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After a death, there are three main types of burdens left behind for surviving family members to deal with: emotional, financial, and legal. For those who have planned a loved…
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Planning a funeral after someone has already died can leave family members with many questions and add stress to an already difficult time. But while thinking about your own death…
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As we get older, we tend to reflect on our lives and examine how we’ve lived. Did we live a meaningful life? Have we left behind a legacy that we’re proud…
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Whether you're planning a funeral for a loved one who was a veteran or planning ahead for your own funeral, it's important to learn about the burial benefits available to eligible veterans. One benefit…
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When creating an estate plan, most people think about caring for their families after they die. But what about your pets? How do you know that your pet will continue…
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Across all businesses and industries, prices are going up. Gas prices, groceries, housing, transportation, manufacturing, and yes, even funeral costs. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, in 2021, the average…
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There are many ways to take care of the financial aspect of a funeral in advance. However, not all payment methods are created equal. Each method has its own risks…
![Mature woman sitting down with female doctor, reviewing paperwork together](https://www.funeralbasics.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/shutterstock_1679462023-min-600x403.jpg)
Have you recorded your preferences for medical care through an Advance Care Directive? Most people remember to write a will and put their funeral wishes in writing, but it’s also…
![Older man in blue shirt sitting at a table at home with a laptop and notepad in front of him](https://www.funeralbasics.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/shutterstock_2101103296-min-600x403.jpg)
While the internet and advances in technology have made so many aspects of life easier, they’ve made estate planning a little bit harder. Now, you not only need to focus…
![Woman in a yellow shirt looking at papers](https://www.funeralbasics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/shutterstock_2235126471-min-600x403.jpg)
Most of us know that estate planning is important, but many people don’t take care of their estate planning because they find it intimidating. There are so many estate planning…
![Man and wife sitting at table together, looking at book and making choices for funeral](https://www.funeralbasics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/shutterstock_2222349483-min-600x403.jpg)
There are many practical benefits to funeral preplanning – like saving money, qualifying for Medicaid, and having funeral funds set aside to pay for everything – but did you know…
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Planning ahead for your final wishes is simple and only takes about an hour to complete. There are three basic steps to creating a healing and meaningful funeral plan that…
![Older couple planning ahead for funeral wishes](https://www.funeralbasics.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/shutterstock_553625719-min-600x403.jpg)
You plan for everything in life -- birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, vacations, homes, retirement, and much more. Why shouldn't you also plan for final wishes? While no one likes to think…
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A personalized funeral can be a very healing and meaningful experience for loved ones. But how can you ensure that they have that one-of-a-kind experience? The answer is by doing…
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No matter what age you are, creating a will is a great way to prepare for the future. A legal will is a document that lays out your wishes for…
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If you’ve recently lost a loved one, you know how overwhelming it can be. You’re grieving, but you may also be trying to take care of their affairs. As you…
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If you’ve written your will, you’ve already gotten a great start on your estate planning! But now that you’ve created a will, don’t just put it in a drawer and…
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Creating a personalized funeral or memorial service is the first step toward finding the healing and reconciliation you need after a loss. Why? Because if the service details truly reflect…
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Wouldn’t it be great if estate planning was a “one and done” type of task? If life came without change, then it could be, but we all know change is…
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More and more, people across the globe are cultivating a social media presence. Some put more effort into it than others, but for many of us, social media platforms like…
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Planning for end-of-life wishes and walking through grief can both be very difficult seasons in life. But you don’t have to walk through them alone. Others have gone before us…
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Planning a funeral after a loved one dies may seem overwhelming at first, and that’s okay. So many of us have never planned a funeral before and simply don’t know…
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If we’re honest, all too often obituaries are a little formulaic and offer only a few facts and details. They don’t truly reflect the person who has died – their…
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There’s no denying that the internet is here to stay. Twenty-five years ago, the internet was just a baby, but now, it’s a huge part of people’s lives. In fact,…
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No matter how far back you look in history, you will find evidence of funeral rituals. Within us, we have an innate need to honor, respect, and remember those who…
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Perhaps unconsciously, we often think we have to own a lot of stuff or at least be in our 5th decade to write a will. This simply isn’t the case.…
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Our veterans represent courage, honor, and sacrifice. Throughout our history as a nation, our military men and women have stepped up to face the opposition, protect our way of life,…
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You’re in your 60s now, and if you’re intentional, it’s going to be an amazing decade for you. Now’s the time to reinvent your lifestyle and make decisions about what…
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When a loved one dies, the emotions of grief can hit hard. These feelings range from person to person and may include sadness, shock, anger, or anxiety. It is during…
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We have had funerals since the beginning of time. No matter which culture you research, you will find evidence of funeral rites and traditions. Though the specific customs may have…
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There’s no getting around the fact that estate planning is a necessary part of life, even though we may not feel ready to face it. It is especially important that…
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Your 70s are here. Let’s make them great! While good habits benefit us throughout our lives, it’s never too late to make positive changes to your life. In addition to…
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You’ve made an important decision. By preplanning your funeral, you are giving your family a great gift: an expression of your great love and the gift of a mind at…
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Why do we have emergency contacts? Ultimately, it’s because we will all need—at one point or another—a trustworthy person to represent us if we are incapable of doing so ourselves.…
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Funeral costs can be a tricky thing to pin down if you are trying to plan ahead and protect your family by setting aside funds for a funeral in advance.…
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If you are considering cremation, whether for yourself or for a loved one, it’s important to think about all the options available to you. As a term, "final disposition" refers…
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None of us are ever truly prepared to lose someone we love. Whether the loss comes suddenly or has been long expected, you may experience a wide range of emotions:…
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It’s not uncommon for families to expect to pay for a funeral with life insurance benefits. Sounds like a simple plan, doesn’t it? The truth is, there can be many…
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Similar to a wedding, a funeral is a very significant event, commemorated by a gathering of family and friends and a ceremony, followed by a reception. The funeral fulfills a…