Notifications

No notifications

Celebrate an amazing life

Find guidance, support, inspiration and understanding.
 Get answers to all your questions—plus the questions you didn't know you had.

FEATURED

What to Do When Someone Dies: A Checklist

Losing someone close to you can be incredibly difficult, and if you’re responsible for handling funeral arrangements and personal affairs, the experience is often overwhelming. If this applies to you, here’s a death notification checklist of things that need to be taken care of after someone passes

122 Great Obituary Examples

Examples of touching obituaries Obituaries take time and knowledge to write well, since you’re usually given a small amount of space and a large life to work with. With a memorial website, you’re given extra space, but you’re still tasked with delivering important information about the entire

How to Start a Memorial Fund

While it’s customary to send flowers when someone passes away, more and more families are suggesting donations in lieu of flowers. Memorial donations can be a great way to help cover funeral costs or other family expenses. Others choose to use mem

Top Free Obituary Templates

Writing an obituary can be hard, but you don’t need to go without help. That’s why we’ve put together a collection of free obituary templates, obituary examples and obituary samples to help you write an amazing obituary for your loved one. Each one is an easy-to-follow, fill-in-the-blank obituary te

END-OF-LIFE AFFAIRS

How to Choose the Executor of Your Will

What are the responsibilities of an executor of a will? Were you aware they get paid for their services? If you answered “I’m not sure” to any of these questions, you’re not alone. The world of wills, l

7 Things to Consider Before Starting Hospice Care

Hospice care is an important option for those facing a terminal illness and looking to prioritize comfort and quality of life in their final months. It’s also something that many people don’t start considering until long after hospic

10 Signs Your Parent Might Need a Nursing Home

Being “sent to a nursing home” is a phrase that can stir up fear, guilt, or sadness for both aging parents and their adult children, but as health and cognitive needs grow more complex, home may no longer be the safest or most supportive environment. If you’re starting to worry about your parent’s w

END-OF-LIFE CARE

How to Deal with a Fear of Death and Dying

An extreme fear of death is a phobia that can end up disrupting your life in pretty significant ways. If fearing death is causing you to miss out on school or work, disrupt your social life, overwhelm your thoughts in your day to day life, it may be time to seek out support. What is a fear of

How to Arrange Hospice Care at Home

If you or a loved one is facing a terminal illness, you may be considering hospice care at home. This type of care provides specialized support and resources to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life during the end of life,but arranging for hospice care at home can seem daunting, especiall

How to Find a Hospice Job

Looking for a job in the field of hospice care can be challenging, but there are many ways to find opportunities in this rewarding and fulfilling profession. Whether you are a recent graduate looking to enter the workforce, or an experienced professional seeking a change in career, here are some tip

FUNERAL CUSTOMS

What is a Homegoing Service?

If you’re familiar with a celebration of life, then you’re already slightly familiar with a homegoing service. If you’ve never heard of this type of funeral service, it’s a helpful event to familiarize yourself wit

How to Celebrate Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead in movies is often depicted as a vibrant, colorful celebration filled with elaborate altars, lively parades, and festive gatherings – but do you know the history behind it? This article will cover the history of Day of the Dead, suggest outfit ideas, and provide fun Day of the Dead d

What to Expect at a Burial

Attending a burial for the first time can feel daunting, especially when faced with unfamiliar traditions or cultural practices. This article covers what you can typically expect at various kinds of burials. What types of burials exist? There are several types of burials, each with its uniqu

FUNERAL ETIQUETTE

9 Classy Funeral Outfit Ideas

Picking the right outfit can feel like a tough choice when attending a funeral. What exactly is acceptable attire at a funeral? Does that change during the winter months or summer months? What if you don’t own a black suit? The good news is – there are tons of variations for what makes a “classy” fu

What to Bring to a Celebration of Life

If you’re not sure what to take to a celebration of life, don’t panic. Celebrations of life can have confusion around what to bring–the event is often thought to be more warm and joyous than a funeral, but does that al

What to Say to Someone Going to a Funeral

Do you know what to say to someone who is going to a funeral? How about what not to say? If you’re not sure, you’re in the right place. Funerals can be tense – the atmosphere is often full of so

FUNERAL PLANNING

How to Create and Send Celebration of Life Invitations for Free

Writing and sending out celebration of life invitations is easier than you may think, especially when it's done online. If you’ve never sent out celebration of life invitations, this article provides guidance on how to do just that. Continue reading for guidance on whether to mail out invitations, i

10 Funeral Songs for Women

What’s the best type of song to play at a woman’s funeral? Hint: there’s no single right answer – but anthems about femininity are certainly good places to start. This article provides you with some ideas on songs you can play at a funeral, how to choose funeral songs that fit what you’re looking fo

How to Plan an Uplifting Funeral

The words uplifting and funeral may seem like an odd pair, but it can make more sense than you may think. Funerals are often sad, somber, and darker affairs, but they certainly don’t need to be. If you’re looking for a more uplifting and joyful atmosphere for a funeral you’re planning, there are man

FUNERAL READINGS

10 Quotes to Comfort Someone Who Lost a Dog

Knowing what to say when someone loses a pet is hard – there are so many options and it can feel difficult to know the “right” thing to say. This article gives you some suggestions on what to say to someone after losing a dog, including quotes, what to avoid saying, and suggestions for condolences.

10 Quotes to Comfort Someone Who Lost a Cat

Trying to comfort someone who has lost a beloved cat can feel tough – the loss of a companion can be massive, and words can often feel lacking. Pets become cherished members of the family, offering unconditional love and companionship, so their passing leaves a significant void. If you’re not sure [

6 Poems about the Death of a Daughter

The loss of a daughter is often a profound heartbreak that’s difficult to put into words. Yet, poetry has a way of speaking directly to the soul, offering solace and a means to process the unimaginable. The six poems provided in this article reflect the deep love, cherished memories, and enduring co

FUNERAL RECIPES

Funeral Salad Recipe

Because funerals have long been events that bring communities of people, common funeral recipes are generally easy (and affordable) to prepare for a large number of people, and funeral salad is no different. What is funeral salad? The use of

Funeral Potatoes Recipe

There are many different types of funeral events and structures to honor someone who has passed away, but it’s quite common to host a [funeral reception](https://everloved.com/articles/funeral-pla

Funeral Sandwiches Recipe

For many years, funeral receptions were usually held in a family members home, and friends and neighbors would bring food to pitch in. As a result, dishes that were easy to prepare for a large group of people became the n

FUNERAL SONGS

10 Funeral Songs for Men

Choosing the playlist for a man’s funeral can feel like an afterthought, but songs at a funeral often set the tone. Music can be an easy way to share some of your loved one’s personality through less obvious means. If you’re looking for songs for a man’s funeral, this article provides suggestions on

15 Best Rock Funeral Songs

For those of you who are on the search for modern or classic rock funeral songs – either for your dad, mom, or another loved one – you’ve come to the right place. This article gives you 15 fantastic choices for funeral rock songs you can use during a funeral. These rock songs would also be great cho

22 Upbeat and Uplifting Funeral Songs

Not everyone wants a somber funeral, and for those who want a more celebratory event, music can help set the tone. When creating an uplifting playlist for a funeral, you have a lot of options to choose from. From go

LIVING WITH GRIEF

15 Books to Help a Grieving Child

Grief is never one-size-fits-all, especially for children. Whether they’re just beginning to understand what death means or navigating complex emotions after a major loss, books can offer kids a safe, gentle way to explore their feelings. This article gives you insight into how books for grief can b

10 Activities to Explore & Manage Grief

Grief is a personal and often overwhelming experience that affects everyone differently. Whether you're a child, teen, or adult, finding ways to process and express grief is essential to healing. While grief can’t be rushed or “fixed,” there are healthy, creative, and supportive ways to move through

How to Get Immediate Grief Support in a Crisis

Grief can feel like it takes the ground out from under you — especially in the first hours or days after a loss. You may feel numb, overwhelmed, panicked, or completely alone. In moments like these, it's crucial to know that i

MEMORIAL PRODUCTS

10 Memorial Shadow Box Ideas

What mementos would you put on display to share the memory of someone who has passed away? Memorial shadow boxes offer a beautiful and unique way to share mementos and memories for someone who has passed away and are much easier to make than you might think. They can even [be made for beloved pets!]

How to Write a Sympathy Card for Someone Whose Pet Died

If you’ve ever had a pet, you understand the special bond shared between people and their pet companions. The loss of a pet can be devastating, and it can feel as though you have no one to share your grief with. If you know someone who has lost a pet and want to make sure they feel supported and und

10 Gift Ideas for Someone Who Lost a Pet

When someone you care about experiences the loss of a dog or cat, gift giving might be something you’re considering. It can end up having a big effect on a friend in need and is often a cherished memento when done right. If you know someone who has lost a pet and are looking for ways to support them

OBITUARIES AND FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Best Way to Leverage a Funeral Invitation Template

Events like funerals and memorial services come with a lot of pieces to manage and organize, which can get overwhelming quite quickly after losing a loved one. This is where a memorial website co

7 Death Announcement Templates and Examples

Making an announcement of death online can feel awkward – what do you say? Where do you start? What information do you include? This article covers how to make a death announcement online and p

6 Christian Obituary Templates and Examples

Writing an obituary for a religious person offers an opportunity to honor not only their life but also their faith, highlighting the values, beliefs, and spiritual legacy they leave behind. If you’ve [never written an obituary before](https://everloved.com/articles/obituaries-and-funeral-announcemen

POST-DEATH LOGISTICS

How do Veteran Death Benefits Work?

Many veterans in the United States are welcome to what are known as “Veteran Benefits” – and these benefits often extend beyond a veteran’s death. A spouse or child of a veteran may be entitled to benefits [after a veteran passes away](https://everloved.com/articles/funeral-planning/what-to-do-when-

What Happens When Someone Dies in the Hospital?

When a loved one dies in the hospital, it can be a confusing and emotional time. Many people are unsure of what happens next or how the process unfolds.This article will walk you through the steps that occur after someone passes away in a hospital, helping to demystify the process and provide insigh

How is an Autopsy Done?

Autopsies not only clarify the cause of death for families but can contribute to medical research and public health efforts. While they’re important to many families when the time comes, they’re not exactly a popular topic of discussion. This article aims to help clarify some frequently asked questi

THE FUNERAL INDUSTRY

Meet a Family Service Counselor: Devon M. Fluellen with Floral Memory Gardens

How long have you worked at Floral Memory Gardens? I've been employed with Floral Memory Gardens since December of 2024. In that time, I've had the privilege of educating and serving countless families,

Meet a Cremation Service Owner: Valerie Usery from Ascend Cremations

Valerie Usery is the Owner and Family Care Lead at Ascend Cremations, a direct cremation provider based in Mesa, Arizona. Valerie personally supports every family Ascend serves, overseeing each step of the process alongside licensed funeral director Savanna Miller.

Meet a Cemetery Administrator: Samantha Olson

How long have you worked with Lansing Municipal Cemeteries? How did you first get into the profession? I started working for the City of Lansing in April of 2024 in the Human Resources Department. I tha