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.

How to Write and Deliver a Eulogy: Tips, Examples, and Handling Emotions

How to Write and Deliver a Eulogy: Tips, Examples, and Handling Emotions

Writing a eulogy can feel overwhelming, but it’s also a powerful way to honor a loved one and celebrate the unique life they lived. It allows you to share memories,...

Holding a Second Memorial or Anniversary Gathering: Remembering a Loved One Later On

Holding a Second Memorial or Anniversary Gathering: Remembering a Loved One Later On

Losing a loved one leaves a lasting void, and the grief that follows doesn’t always fit neatly into the days and weeks after a funeral. For many families, the idea...

Pets at Funerals and Memorials: When It Works, When It Doesn’t, and How to Prepare

Pets at Funerals and Memorials: When It Works, When It Doesn’t, and How to Prepare

Bringing a pet to a funeral or memorial can be a profoundly moving and comforting experience, offering a sense of companionship and emotional support during a time of grief. For...

Should Children Attend Funerals? Age-by-Age Guidance and How to Prepare Them

Should Children Attend Funerals? Age-by-Age Guidance and How to Prepare Them

Deciding whether children should attend funerals is one of the most sensitive choices a family can face. Parents often feel a mix of emotions, grief, uncertainty, and the desire to...

Funeral Poems and Readings: Choosing Words That Bring Comfort and Honor a Life

Funeral Poems and Readings: Choosing Words That Bring Comfort and Honor a Life

Selecting the right funeral poems and readings is one of the most personal and meaningful ways to honor a loved one’s life. Words have the power to comfort hearts, express...

Cheerful and Uplifting Funeral Songs: When Families Want a More Positive Tone

Cheerful and Uplifting Funeral Songs: When Families Want a More Positive Tone

Planning a funeral or celebration of life is deeply personal, and for many families, incorporating cheerful funeral songs or uplifting funeral music can create a service that reflects a joyful,...

Memorial Service vs Celebration of Life: Key Differences and How to Choose

Memorial Service vs Celebration of Life: Key Differences and How to Choose

Deciding how to honor someone who has passed is deeply personal. Families often want a farewell that reflects the unique personality, values, and life experiences of their loved one. This...

What Is a Wake? Differences Between a Wake, Viewing, Visitation, and Funeral Service

What Is a Wake? Differences Between a Wake, Viewing, Visitation, and Funeral Service

A wake is often the first gathering where love, grief, and remembrance come together in one shared space. It is the moment when stories begin to surface, when hands are...

Funeral Music Ideas: Choosing Songs for Services, Viewings, and Celebrations of Life

Funeral Music Ideas: Choosing Songs for Services, Viewings, and Celebrations of Life

Selecting the right music for a final goodbye is one of the most meaningful choices a family can make. In moments when words fall short, music becomes the emotional thread...

What to Wear to a Funeral, Wake, or Celebration of Life: Dress Code Made Simple

What to Wear to a Funeral, Wake, or Celebration of Life: Dress Code Made Simple

Grief does not come with a wardrobe checklist. Most people only attend a few services in their lifetime, so it is completely normal to wonder what to wear to a...

Catholic Funeral Mass Explained: Rituals, Prayers, and What Families Can Expect

Catholic Funeral Mass Explained: Rituals, Prayers, and What Families Can Expect

If you have not been to a Catholic funeral in a long time, or ever, it can feel a little intimidating. There are prayers, specific rituals, and phrases like “vigil,”...

Should Children Attend Funerals? Age-by-Age Considerations, Preparation, and Alternatives

Should Children Attend Funerals? Age-by-Age Considerations, Preparation, and Alternatives

When someone dies, adults often struggle with one big question: Should the kids come to the funeral? You might worry that it will be too scary or sad, or that...

Understanding What Happens During a Water Burial Ceremony

Understanding What Happens During a Water Burial Ceremony

Water burial ceremonies, also referred to as sea burials or aquatic funerals, offer a unique, peaceful, and deeply symbolic way to honor the life of a loved one. Unlike traditional...

What to Expect at a Cremation Service: A Compassionate, First-Time Guide

What to Expect at a Cremation Service: A Compassionate, First-Time Guide

For many families, attending a cremation service is unfamiliar. While cremation itself has become one of the most common end-of-life choices, the service that surrounds it can vary widely depending...

What Happens at a Funeral Service?

What Happens at a Funeral Service?

For many people, attending a funeral service is unfamiliar territory. The emotions of loss, combined with uncertainty about what will happen, often leave families feeling overwhelmed. A funeral service is...

Graveside Service, Cremation Service, or Celebration of Life?

Graveside Service, Cremation Service, or Celebration of Life?

When a loved one passes away, one of the earliest decisions a family faces is choosing the type of service that best reflects their values, beliefs, and the personality of...