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.

A Simple Explanation of Why Some Ashes Smell and Some Don't

A Simple Explanation of Why Some Ashes Smell and Some Don't

Cremation is a deeply personal and sensitive process, often chosen for its simplicity and meaningful way of honoring a loved one’s life. After a cremation ceremony, families sometimes notice that...

A Simple Guide to Coffins: Types, Materials, and Traditions

A Simple Guide to Coffins: Types, Materials, and Traditions

Choosing a coffin or cremation urn is one of the most meaningful decisions families make when honoring a loved one. Burial practices have evolved over centuries, influenced by cultural customs,...

A Short History of When Coffins Started Being Used in Burials

A Short History of When Coffins Started Being Used in Burials

Burial practices have evolved over thousands of years, shaped by culture, religion, and advances in craftsmanship. Among the most significant developments in funerary practices was the introduction of coffins. Far...

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...

How to Choose a Cremation Urn That Actually Fits Your Plans (Home, Burial, Scattering, Travel)

How to Choose a Cremation Urn That Actually Fits Your Plans (Home, Burial, Scattering, Travel)

Choosing a cremation urn can feel overwhelming—not because there aren’t enough options, but because there are so many. Metal urns, wooden box urns, biodegradable urns, keepsakes, jewelry, scatter tubes, travel-safe...

Cremation Jewelry 101: What It Is, How It’s Made, and Who It’s Right For

Cremation Jewelry 101: What It Is, How It’s Made, and Who It’s Right For

Grief doesn’t stop when a service is over. For many people, the hardest moments come later—standing in a quiet kitchen, walking to the car alone, lying awake at night. It’s...

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...

What Happens During Cremation?

What Happens During Cremation?

For many families, the idea of cremation brings up a mix of emotions: curiosity, anxiety, and sometimes fear of the unknown. You may know that cremation is becoming more common,...

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...

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...

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...

The Meaning of the Color Red in Grief, Funerals, and Memorials

The Meaning of the Color Red in Grief, Funerals, and Memorials

Updated: Nov. 20, 2025 The meaning of the color red becomes especially powerful in seasons of grief. Red can feel like love, warmth, and courage, but also like longing, pain,...