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.

Funeral Flower Etiquette: What to Send, When to Send It, and How to Respect the Family’s Wishes

Funeral Flower Etiquette: What to Send, When to Send It, and How to Respect the Family’s Wishes

If you’ve ever stared at a florist’s menu or lingered in a grocery store aisle thinking, “I genuinely want to do the right thing… but what is the right thing?”...

Funeral, Wake, and Visitation: What Each One Means and How to Choose What Fits Your Family

Funeral, Wake, and Visitation: What Each One Means and How to Choose What Fits Your Family

In the first days after a death, language can feel like one more thing you’re expected to “get right” while you’re barely sleeping. Someone says “we’ll have a wake,” another...

Wake Etiquette 101: What to Wear, What to Say, and How Long to Stay

Wake Etiquette 101: What to Wear, What to Say, and How Long to Stay

Walking into a wake can feel strangely intimidating, even when your intentions are completely good. You might be thinking about the door you’re about to open, the family you care...

How Pet Wakes and Human Wakes Are Similar—and Different

How Pet Wakes and Human Wakes Are Similar—and Different

When someone we love dies, our brains do two things at once: they grieve, and they reach for structure. A wake—whether it’s called a visitation, a gathering, a remembrance, or...

Open vs. Closed Casket Funerals: What to Expect & How to Choose

Open vs. Closed Casket Funerals: What to Expect & How to Choose

When you are in the middle of planning a funeral, the question of an open casket funeral versus a closed casket funeral can land like a weight you did not...

Bringing a Living Pet to a Funeral or Cemetery: Etiquette, Pros and Cons, and Safety Tips

Bringing a Living Pet to a Funeral or Cemetery: Etiquette, Pros and Cons, and Safety Tips

There’s a particular kind of quiet that settles around a funeral home chapel or a cemetery lane. It’s not just the absence of noise—it’s the feeling that everyone is carrying...

How to Compliment a Nice Memorial for Loss of Pet?

How to Compliment a Nice Memorial for Loss of Pet?

A thoughtfully created pet memorial reflects deep love, cherished memories, and the unique bond shared between a pet and their family. When someone invests time and care into honoring their...

What Is the Best Thing to Say Instead of Condolences?

What Is the Best Thing to Say Instead of Condolences?

When someone you care about experiences a loss, it can feel almost impossible to find the right words. Simple phrases like “condolences” are common, yet they often fail to capture...

What Colors to Wear to a Funeral for Women?

What Colors to Wear to a Funeral for Women?

Attending a funeral can be one of the most emotionally charged moments in life, and women often find themselves wondering, what colors to wear to convey respect while managing their...

What Flower Is Best for a Funeral?

What Flower Is Best for a Funeral?

If you want the safest, most universally accepted option, white lilies remain the clearest choice. They’re widely recognized as a traditional sympathy flower, and they communicate calm, respect, and quiet...

How to Divide Cremation Ashes Safely and Respectfully: A Practical Guide

How to Divide Cremation Ashes Safely and Respectfully: A Practical Guide

The first time most families realize they might need to split cremation ashes is not during planning—it’s later, when the temporary container is on the table and everyone is finally...

How Much Should I Spend on Flowers for a Funeral?

How Much Should I Spend on Flowers for a Funeral?

Planning a funeral involves countless decisions, each carrying profound emotional weight. From selecting the service location to arranging meaningful tributes, every choice reflects the love and respect you hold for...

Do You Send Condolences for Pets?

Do You Send Condolences for Pets?

Losing a beloved pet is one of the most heart-wrenching experiences many people will face. Pets are not just animals, they are family, companions who share our joys, comfort us...

Why Are Carnations a Funeral Flower?

Why Are Carnations a Funeral Flower?

Funerals are moments filled with profound emotion, where love, grief, and remembrance come together in quiet, meaningful ways. During these times, every detail matters, especially the flowers chosen to honor...

Is It Rude to Not Dress Up for a Funeral?

Is It Rude to Not Dress Up for a Funeral?

Funerals are profoundly emotional moments that bring together family, friends, and communities to celebrate and honor a life that has passed. In these times, grief can feel overwhelming, and even...

Funeral Thank You Message From Family: What to Say, When to Send It, and How to Make It Feel Real

Funeral Thank You Message From Family: What to Say, When to Send It, and How to Make It Feel Real

If you’re searching for a funeral thank you message from family, you’re likely in that delicate space where the service has ended, the house feels quiet again, and the outpouring...