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.

Working with a Pastor or Celebrant for a Scattering of Ashes Ceremony

Working with a Pastor or Celebrant for a Scattering of Ashes Ceremony

A scattering ceremony often starts with a simple wish: to say goodbye in a place that meant something. Then, almost immediately, families realize how many decisions are tucked inside that...

Helping Children Through a Pet Funeral: Age-Appropriate Roles and Gentle Explanations

Helping Children Through a Pet Funeral: Age-Appropriate Roles and Gentle Explanations

A pet’s death can rearrange a household in a way adults don’t always expect. The routines that used to hold the day together—morning feeding, the familiar bark at the door,...

Planning a Pet Funeral on a Budget: Simple, Meaningful Ideas that Don’t Cost Much

Planning a Pet Funeral on a Budget: Simple, Meaningful Ideas that Don’t Cost Much

When a pet dies, grief has a strange way of colliding with paperwork, prices, and decisions you never wanted to make. You might find yourself trying to plan a goodbye...

Funeral Flower Arrangements Explained: Types, Average Costs, and Meaning

Funeral Flower Arrangements Explained: Types, Average Costs, and Meaning

Funeral flowers can feel surprisingly complicated—especially when you’re trying to comfort someone while your own emotions are running high. You may be looking at funeral flower arrangements like wreaths, standing...

Funeral Flower Etiquette: What to Send, When to Send It, and What It Means

Funeral Flower Etiquette: What to Send, When to Send It, and What It Means

When someone dies, flowers can feel like the “safe” thing to do—until you realize how many choices sit behind that simple gesture. Do you send something to the service or...

How to Create a Simple Pet Memorial Ceremony at Home

How to Create a Simple Pet Memorial Ceremony at Home

The days after a pet dies can feel strangely quiet. The leash still hangs by the door. The food bowl hasn’t moved. Even when you’re “doing okay,” your body notices...

Pet Wakes and Viewings: Should You See Your Pet One Last Time Before Cremation?

Pet Wakes and Viewings: Should You See Your Pet One Last Time Before Cremation?

The moment you realize you may never see your pet again is rarely a single moment. It’s a series of small shocks: the leash still hanging by the door, the...

What Is a Wake in Modern Funerals? Origins, Traditions, and How It Looks Today

What Is a Wake in Modern Funerals? Origins, Traditions, and How It Looks Today

If you grew up hearing the word “wake,” you might picture a home full of people who knew exactly where to stand, what to bring, and how long to stay....

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...

What Is the Meaning of Funeral Arrangements?

What Is the Meaning of Funeral Arrangements?

Funeral arrangements are more than just a series of tasks to complete, they are a deeply personal expression of love, respect, and remembrance. They provide a structured way for families...

Family Pet Memorial Ceremony: Simple Ideas Kids Can Help Lead (Readings, Rituals, and Keepsakes)

Family Pet Memorial Ceremony: Simple Ideas Kids Can Help Lead (Readings, Rituals, and Keepsakes)

A pet memorial ceremony doesn’t have to be elaborate or formal to carry deep meaning. For many families, the gentlest farewell is often the simplest: a short gathering at home,...