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.

What Is a Wake in Modern Funerals? Origins, Traditions, and How It Looks Today - Funeral.com, Inc.

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.com, Inc.

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.com, Inc.

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 - Funeral.com, Inc.

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 - Funeral.com, Inc.

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 - Funeral.com, Inc.

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 - Funeral.com, Inc.

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? - Funeral.com, Inc.

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) - Funeral.com, Inc.

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,...

Burial Service - Funeral.com, Inc.

Burial Service

A burial service is often labeled as “traditional,” but for most families, the meaning is much simpler and far more human. It is a defined moment in time, sometimes a...

How Do Pet Funerals Work? A Gentle Guide to Saying Goodbye, Pet Cremation, and Memorial Choices - Funeral.com, Inc.

How Do Pet Funerals Work? A Gentle Guide to Saying Goodbye, Pet Cremation, and Memorial Choices

Losing a pet can feel disorienting in a very specific way. The grief is real and heavy, but the world around you often treats it like it should be smaller,...

How to Make a Picture Board for a Funeral - Funeral.com, Inc.

How to Make a Picture Board for a Funeral

Creating a picture board for a funeral is a deeply personal way to celebrate the life of a loved one. It allows friends and family to connect with memories, honor...

Wake, Viewing, and Visitation Etiquette: What to Wear, What to Say, and How Long to Stay - Funeral.com, Inc.

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

Walking into a wake, a viewing, or a visitation can feel strangely hard—especially if you haven’t been to one in years, or if you’re worried about “doing the right thing.”...

Wake vs Viewing vs Funeral vs Celebration of Life: Which Is Right for Your Family? - Funeral.com, Inc.

Wake vs Viewing vs Funeral vs Celebration of Life: Which Is Right for Your Family?

If you’ve been handed a list of options—wake, viewing, funeral, memorial, celebration of life—it can feel like someone just asked you to plan an event while your heart is in...

Do Funeral Homes Provide Prayer Cards? - Funeral.com, Inc.

Do Funeral Homes Provide Prayer Cards?

When a loved one passes, families are often faced with an overwhelming number of decisions about the funeral service. From choosing caskets to planning the order of ceremonies, every choice...

What Is a Typical Funeral Program? - Funeral.com, Inc.

What Is a Typical Funeral Program?

Funerals are moments filled with profound reflection, remembrance, and love, times when families and friends come together to honor a life that has left a lasting mark. They are both...