The Funeral.com Journal

Resources to help you create tributes as unique as the people (and pets) you love. Learn how engraving, photos, colors, and symbols add meaning; discover scattering rituals and at-home memorial ideas. We focus on the details that matter—because small choices can carry a lifetime of comfort.

Why Do People Wear Urn Necklaces?

Why Do People Wear Urn Necklaces?

There’s a moment that sneaks up on a lot of families after cremation. The service is over. The calls slow down. The house gets quiet again. And the reality hits...

What Is the Best Type of Urn for Ashes?

What Is the Best Type of Urn for Ashes?

If you’re asking this question in the middle of loss, you’re not alone. As cremation becomes the most common choice in the U.S., families are often faced with decisions they...

Should You Keep Cremated Ashes at Home?

Should You Keep Cremated Ashes at Home?

When people ask whether they should keep cremated ashes at home, they are often balancing two questions. One is practical, whether it is safe, legal, or wise in the long...

Turning Ashes into Diamonds, Glass, and Vinyl Records

Turning Ashes into Diamonds, Glass, and Vinyl Records

In the first days after a pet dies, many families expect the hardest decisions will be medical. But grief has a way of saving a few choices for later—quiet, practical...

Is Cremation Jewelry a Good Idea?

Is Cremation Jewelry a Good Idea?

If you’re asking whether cremation jewelry is a good idea, you’re usually not asking about the jewelry at all. You’re asking whether it feels respectful, whether it will provide comfort,...

When Will My Pet’s Ashes Be Returned? What to Expect, and What to Do When They Arrive

When Will My Pet’s Ashes Be Returned? What to Expect, and What to Do When They Arrive

The period between saying goodbye to your companion and receiving their cremated remains can feel heavy and uncertain. Many families wonder, “When will my pet’s ashes be returned?” and what...

Direct Cremation: What It Is, Who It’s For, and How It Works

Direct Cremation: What It Is, Who It’s For, and How It Works

Direct cremation has become one of the most common and practical choices for families who want a simple, affordable, and flexible way to honor a loved one. While the term...

Is It Bad Luck to Keep Ashes in the House? Comfort, Myths, and Practical Choices

Is It Bad Luck to Keep Ashes in the House? Comfort, Myths, and Practical Choices

After a loved one is cremated, one question quietly arises more often than people admit: “Is it bad luck to keep ashes in the house?” For some, having an urn...

How Long Does Cremation Take and What Families Can Expect Next

How Long Does Cremation Take and What Families Can Expect Next

When a loved one passes away, families often wonder how long cremation takes and what to expect during the process. Because cremation is not a daily experience for most, it’s...

What Size Cremation Urn Do I Need? Easy Guide to Matching Urn Capacity to Body Weight

What Size Cremation Urn Do I Need? Easy Guide to Matching Urn Capacity to Body Weight

A lot of families think they’re shopping for an urn, when really they’re trying to answer a more tender question: “How do we do this in a way that feels...

Green Cremation and Alkaline Hydrolysis: Newer Options Beyond Flame Cremation

Green Cremation and Alkaline Hydrolysis: Newer Options Beyond Flame Cremation

When a family chooses cremation, it’s rarely just a “method” in the abstract. It’s usually a cluster of hopes and practical needs held together by love: a desire for simplicity,...

Cremation Jewelry: A Gentle, Practical Guide to Keeping Someone Close

Cremation Jewelry: A Gentle, Practical Guide to Keeping Someone Close

There comes a quiet, reflective moment for many families after a cremation, when the urgent tasks have eased and most of the paperwork is complete. The temporary container of ashes...

Tombstone Words in a Cremation-First World: What to Write, Where to Place a Marker, and How Ashes Fit

Tombstone Words in a Cremation-First World: What to Write, Where to Place a Marker, and How Ashes Fit

A single word like “tombstone” can carry a surprising amount of weight. Sometimes the question is practical—what should it say, how much space do we have, what will the cemetery...

What Actually Happens During Pet Cremation?

What Actually Happens During Pet Cremation?

For many families, the idea of pet cremation can feel like a mysterious process. Your pet leaves your care, and later, a container of ashes is returned. The time in...

Short-Notice Funerals and Quick Cremation Services: What’s Realistic on a Tight Timeline

Short-Notice Funerals and Quick Cremation Services: What’s Realistic on a Tight Timeline

The hours after a death can feel urgent and overwhelming. Families often juggle travel logistics, faith-based timelines, and the emotional weight of saying goodbye. In these moments, questions about short...

What Really Happens When My Vet “Handles the Cremation” for Me?

What Really Happens When My Vet “Handles the Cremation” for Me?

Hearing your veterinarian say, “We can handle the cremation for you,” often brings a wave of relief intertwined with curiosity and even hesitation. There is comfort in knowing that compassionate...