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 Embalming? Process, Safety, and When It’s Needed

What Is Embalming? Process, Safety, and When It’s Needed

Understanding what embalming is can bring clarity during one of life’s most difficult moments. In times of loss—when emotions are heavy and decisions feel overwhelming, knowing what this process truly...

Pet Sympathy Gifts: Meaningful Ways to Offer Comfort When a Friend Loses a Beloved Animal

Pet Sympathy Gifts: Meaningful Ways to Offer Comfort When a Friend Loses a Beloved Animal

When someone loses a pet — be it a dog, cat, or another loyal companion — the heartbreak can feel profound. Pets often become part of the family: there are...

Burying a Pet with Respect: Legal, Safe, and Heartfelt Methods

Burying a Pet with Respect: Legal, Safe, and Heartfelt Methods

Losing a pet — whether a cat, dog, or another beloved companion — is one of the hardest experiences many of us face. These creatures become part of our daily...

Why Memorials Matter: How Monuments, Memorial Parks, and Online Tributes Help Us Remember

Why Memorials Matter: How Monuments, Memorial Parks, and Online Tributes Help Us Remember

Memorials have been part of human history for thousands of years because they help us remember loved ones, honor the past, and find comfort in grief. From ancient stone monuments...

A Helpful Guide on How to Bury a Pet in Your Backyard Legally

A Helpful Guide on How to Bury a Pet in Your Backyard Legally

Why Saying Goodbye at Home Matters Losing a pet is never just about a quiet bed or an empty food bowl. It is losing a companion who shaped your routines,...

Memory Boxes and Keepsake Ideas: What to Save When You Don’t Want a Big Urn

Memory Boxes and Keepsake Ideas: What to Save When You Don’t Want a Big Urn

Not everyone wants a large urn on the mantle. For some families, a full-size urn feels too prominent, too heavy, or simply not like the right fit for their home....

Keeping Ashes at Home: How to Do It Safely, Respectfully, and Legally

Keeping Ashes at Home: How to Do It Safely, Respectfully, and Legally

After a loved one is cremated, many families find themselves drawn to the idea of keeping their ashes nearby. A quiet corner with an urn, a photo, and a candle...

What Is Direct Burial? How It Works, Who It’s For, and How It Differs From Cremation

What Is Direct Burial? How It Works, Who It’s For, and How It Differs From Cremation

Direct burial is a simple, dignified alternative to a traditional funeral. Instead of planning a full ceremony with embalming, public viewing, and multiple events at the funeral home, families who...

How Much Does Cremation Cost? Average Prices and Budget-Friendly Options

How Much Does Cremation Cost? Average Prices and Budget-Friendly Options

When you are already grieving, trying to figure out how much cremation costs can feel like one more burden you do not have the energy to carry. Quotes from different...

Cremation FAQs: Honest Answers to the Questions Families Ask Most

Cremation FAQs: Honest Answers to the Questions Families Ask Most

When families first start exploring cremation, they usually have the same core questions: Is it respectful? How does it work? How much does it cost? What happens to the ashes?...

How to Transfer Ashes into a Cremation Urn

How to Transfer Ashes into a Cremation Urn

For many families, choosing an urn feels manageable, but the next question is much harder: how do we actually transfer the ashes into the cremation urn? The idea of handling...

Blue Cremation Urns: Designing a Calm, Ocean-Inspired Memorial

Blue Cremation Urns: Designing a Calm, Ocean-Inspired Memorial

When families imagine a peaceful memorial, they often picture calm water, open sky, and soft evening light. The meaning of the color blue is deeply tied to these images, which...

Pet Urns for Ashes: A Complete Guide for Dog and Cat Owners

Pet Urns for Ashes: A Complete Guide for Dog and Cat Owners

Updated: Nov. 21, 2025 Losing a dog or cat means saying goodbye to a true family member. When you receive your pet’s ashes, the next question is often, “What do...

Helping Children Understand Death and Grieve

Helping Children Understand Death and Grieve

Updated: November 25, 2025 Explaining death to children is one of the most delicate and vital tasks a parent or caregiver can face. When someone loved—whether a family member, pet,...

How To Plan A Meaningful Funeral Service

How To Plan A Meaningful Funeral Service

Updated: Nov. 26, 2025 Losing a loved one is one of life’s most difficult experiences, and planning a funeral service during such a time can feel overwhelming. Yet, creating a meaningful...

How to Move Forward After Losing a Pet: Steps to Healing

How to Move Forward After Losing a Pet: Steps to Healing

Updated: November 26, 2025 Life after the loss of a pet can feel unexpectedly empty and quiet. The routines you once shared, the morning greetings, playful moments, and comforting companionship,...