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 Does a Funeral Planner or Funeral Agent Do? Roles, Costs, and When You Might Need One

What Does a Funeral Planner or Funeral Agent Do? Roles, Costs, and When You Might Need One

When a death happens, families often find themselves asking for planning a funeral help—but the words people use for “help” can be confusing. You might hear funeral planner, funeral arranger,...

Financial Guilt: "If I Had More Money, Could I Have Saved Them?"

Financial Guilt: "If I Had More Money, Could I Have Saved Them?"

If you’ve found yourself replaying the same thought on a loop—If I had more money, could I have saved them?—you’re not alone. Financial guilt after a pet’s death has a...

The Financial Guilt of Keeping a Sick Pet Alive (And Why It’s Okay to Stop)

The Financial Guilt of Keeping a Sick Pet Alive (And Why It’s Okay to Stop)

There’s a moment many families remember with painful clarity: the vet is speaking gently, but the numbers on the estimate feel loud. Maybe it’s a new medication that costs more...

How Do I Choose a Life Insurance Agent?

How Do I Choose a Life Insurance Agent?

Most people don’t start looking for a life insurance agent because it sounds fun. They start because something feels urgent or important. A new baby. A mortgage. A spouse who...

What Are the Disadvantages of Funeral Insurance?

What Are the Disadvantages of Funeral Insurance?

Making end-of-life arrangements is one of the most emotionally challenging experiences a family can face. Grief is raw, and decisions must often be made quickly, combining both financial pressure and...

Money, Grief, and Impulse Decisions: Big Purchases, Gifts, and Avoiding Long-Term Regrets

Money, Grief, and Impulse Decisions: Big Purchases, Gifts, and Avoiding Long-Term Regrets

In the first days after a death, money can start to feel strangely unreal. Some people swing toward caution and can’t bring themselves to buy anything at all—not even groceries....

When the Vet Bill Comes After the Loss: Financial Stress and Grief

When the Vet Bill Comes After the Loss: Financial Stress and Grief

The first days after a pet dies can feel like walking through fog. You might still be stepping around the food bowl out of habit, still listening for the familiar...

Budgeting for End-of-Life Pet Care

Budgeting for End-of-Life Pet Care

When a pet starts to slow down or receives a serious diagnosis, your heart usually reacts long before your bank account does. You might be focused on whether they are...

cremation urn on the table

Siblings and Inheritance: Preventing Conflict Over Money, Keepsakes, and Care Decisions

Family dynamics are complex, and they become even more intricate when questions of inheritance arise. Stories unfold not just around bank accounts or property, but around who showed up when...

Debt After Death: What Happens to Credit Cards, Loans, and Medical Bills?

Debt After Death: What Happens to Credit Cards, Loans, and Medical Bills?

You expect to be making decisions about memorials, funeral planning, and how to honor a loved one’s story. You probably don’t expect to be fielding phone calls about debt after...

Life Insurance and Funeral Costs: How Payouts Can Help and What to Watch For

Life Insurance and Funeral Costs: How Payouts Can Help and What to Watch For

When someone dies, two hard realities often arrive at the same time: grief, and bills. Families are suddenly trying to make decisions about funeral arrangements, cremation services, travel, and memorial...