Planning a funeral is like planning a wedding

Yes, planning a funeral really is just like planning a wedding.

Can you imagine having a big wedding without doing all the planning? As good as that might sound since you’d be skipping the stress, most of us would never even consider it. With all the details–from choosing the venue to selecting the food–it’s just not practical. So if you can’t imagine having that storybook wedding […]


Elements of a Funeral

Elements of a Funeral or Memorial Service

A funeral or memorial service is a reflection of your cultural, spiritual, and religious beliefs. It also reflects the personality of the deceased and the loved ones who are planning the service. As such, every funeral is unique. However, some elements of a funeral are common to most memorial services and funerals. Whether or not […]


Celebration of Life

How to Plan a Celebration of Life

When someone dies, we want the chance to say goodbye, honor their memory, and find meaning in the loss. Throughout history, ceremony has served these purposes. Holding a meaningful service for someone we love remains one of the most important things we can do as we begin to grieve. What has changed is the form […]


Eulogy for President Ronald Reagan

“Eulogy to the Great Liberator We have lost a great president, a great American, and a great man. And I have lost a dear friend. In his lifetime Ronald Reagan was such a cheerful and invigorating presence that it was easy to forget what daunting historic tasks he set himself. He sought to mend America’s […]


Forums Interact

Thank you for registering

Once you are registered as a user on Funeralwise, there are several ways you can interact with us. I want to: Ask a funeral question Tell a funeral story Comment on a post in Forums or on our Digital Dying blog. About our Content Funeralwise brings you lots of information on funeral planning, funeral etiquette, […]


Guide to Coping with Loss of a Pet

Request our Guide to Coping with Pet Loss

The Funeralwise Guide to Coping with Pet Loss is designed to help you navigate the difficult path of recovering from the losing of a valued pet and companion. The Guide includes tips and advice on dealing with grief, advice on helping children handle their loss, ideas for ways to memorialize your pet, and where to find help […]


Organ Donation

Word to the Wise Newsletters

Subscribe to our newsletter. Don’t worry; we only send out a newsletter about four times a year, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Please sign me up for the WORD TO THE WISE NEWSLETTER! By clicking “Add Me to the List,” you agree to receive emails from Funeralwise. These messages may include the requested […]


Secular Readings for a Funeral Service

Quick Links for Secular Readings: General Selections | Spouse | Child | Unexpected Death | Suicide | Long Illness Secular Readings for Funerals — General Selections Out of Solitude



Poetry Readings for a Funeral

Poetry Readings for a Funeral Service

Quick Links to Selected Poems: General Selections | Spouse | Parent | Child | Unexpected Death | Long Illness | African American | American Indian | Military Remember


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