Native American Funeral Service Rituals

In 1990, the U.S. census estimated the Native American Indian and Alaskan Native population to be about 1.9 million. Among these people are an enormous variety of beliefs and practices. Although Native American nations do not share a single faith or common practice, some suggestions for proper behavior during sacred ceremonies can be derived from worldviews based on spiritual values. Centuries ahead of current eco-friendly trends, Native American burials are naturally green.


Jewish Funeral Customs

Jewish Funeral Service Rituals

Jewish funeral service rituals and practices have traditionally adhered to a strong set of customs and beliefs rooted in the Torah. Despite the similarity of funeral customs across all sects of Judaism, they can vary depending on the specific sect. The following information is based on general Jewish funeral customs. We explore each sect specifically […]



Episcopal Funeral Service Rituals

As in other Christian faiths, funeral services are held in a church or funeral home. Guests may sit where they choose and are not expected to view the body. A priest leads the service and sometimes includes a Bible lesson as part of the program.


Roman Catholic Funeral Service Rituals

Overview of Beliefs and Practices “Roman Catholic” refers to the Christian church that recognizes the Pope and Vatican as the authority and representation of God’s teachings. Today, there are about 1.2 billion Roman Catholics around the world. Catholics teach that Jesus died to redeem man from sin. They believe in immortality and that in death […]


Funerals 101: Everything You Need to Know

Guide to Funeral Products, Services, and Providers Here you'll find comprehensive, unbiased information about funerals. It's where you can learn what you need to know to make smart choices in planning funerals, purchasing funeral products, and supporting friends in grief.


Donation Etiquette When Someone Passes: What to Give and How

Key Takeaways When a Donation Is Requested When an obituary or program says “in lieu of flowers,” the family invites guests to contribute what they might have spent on flowers to a cause instead. Honoring that request is not required, but it is a respectful default. A modest flower arrangement is still acceptable, especially from […]


How to Request Donations In Lieu of Flowers

Key Takeaways Why Families Choose Giving Over Flowers Flowers have been the default response to loss for generations, but they fade within a week. A growing number of families are asking for a gift to a cause their loved one cared about. This might be the hospital that treated them, a shelter where they volunteered, […]


How to Set Up a Memorial Giving Page: A Step-by-Step Checklist

Setting up a memorial giving page doesn't have to be complicated — most families can have one live in under 20 minutes. The one decision worth making first: is the money going to a charity, or straight to the family? That single choice shapes which platform makes sense and how the gifts are treated at tax time. From there, it's just a short story, a photo, and a link — one that belongs right in the obituary, so anyone reading it can give without having to search for it.


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