Q. My daughter is getting married in the fall, but she isn’t much of a planner and would much rather just attend her big day and have it all planned for her. I am the same way, and to be honest, the details stress me out. To our relief, my mother, who loves to plan […]
Important Things to Keep in Mind if You Are Planning Your Own Funeral
Dear Hayek, A wedding celebrates a beginning, and a funeral acknowledges an ending. During both occasions, friends and family gather together to share an important event in someone’s life. I planned my wedding 40 years ago, and now I want to plan my funeral for when the time ultimately comes. What considerations should I keep […]
What if I Don’t Want a Funeral?
Q. When a family friend died last year, his family made it clear there wouldn’t be a traditional funeral service for him. At first I thought this was because of the pandemic, but now I’m not so sure. Instead, they held a celebration of his life on his next birthday, almost a year after his […]
Why Would Someone Want to Preplan Their Funeral?
Dear Angel, My father told me yesterday that he is preplanning and prepaying for his funeral. I just listened as he spoke, but didn’t ask any questions. It was such a serious topic that I didn’t want to look disrespectful by questioning him. But, maybe you can tell me . . . why would someone […]
FEMA will Offer Funeral Assistance for People Who Have Died of COVID-19
Dear Oakley, My friend’s dad recently died of COVID-19. Funerals are so expensive. Does the government provide any relief to help pay for them? Burr Yinghim — Dear Burr, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend’s father. Grieving the loss of a loved one during the fear and anxiety about the […]
Has the Pandemic Changed Funerals Forever?
Q. The pandemic has caused me to refocus my energy on planning for my future and for my family when I’m gone. I have seen people I know die of COVID and their families stressed about their funerals during a time of grief. I don’t want that to ever happen to my family, so I […]
How to Attend Your Own Funeral
In Diana Gabaldon’s book, “A Breath of Snow and Ashes,” one of the character’s mothers awoke at her own wake. She took notice of her uncomfortable coffin, lack of brooch that she hoped to wear when she was buried, and lack of food for guests. She sat up and admonished her son who was scared […]
Your Last Wishes Can be as Unique as You Are
Katie was born on July 4th. She got married on that day also and gave birth to her son on July 6th (he was due on the 4th). She was in the military and is a proud American. For her, Independence Day and fireworks have special meaning. So, when she indicated her wishes in her […]
Preparing for Death on Social Media
Dear Commander Bun Bun, I was recently on Facebook and noticed a friend who had passed away a few years ago still has an active account. Isn’t there anything family members and friends can do to memorialize a loved one on social media when he or she passes away? Faye Spook —- Dear Faye, A small company, […]
A Different Type of Funeral
Q.I am the kind of person who likes to plan ahead for everything. I started planning my wedding before I was even engaged, and named my children long before I was pregnant. Now that I am getting older, I am beginning to think about my funeral. I was baptized and raised Catholic, and I married […]
Cool or Spooky? Funerals that Mimic Life
Q. My great aunt, Jane, is not afraid to talk about death. The things she loves most in life, besides family, are the Washington Redskins, playing canasta, and gardening. She often mentions how when she dies, she wants to be wearing her favorite football jersey while playing cards on the small patio next to her […]