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It is a sad reality of life. At some point or another you may find yourself having to make funeral arrangements for a loved one. While it is of course an emotionally difficult time, knowing how to shop for the right funeral home to honor your loved one’s life and legacy can help make the process a little easier and less stressful. 

It is smart to try to plan ahead if you can. If you can’t, you may fall into the trap that many unfortunately do of rushing into shopping for a funeral home, and choosing the first one that is convenient or one that has been used by their family before, which can lead to overpaying for goods and services.

While the idea of comparison shopping for a funeral home may seem a little odd, it can be invaluable in helping potentially save you some money and heartache, and ultimately find the best final place to pay homage to your loved one.

The untimely death of a loved one is among the most devastating events that an individual or a family can endure.  Often, the pain caused by the unexpected (and in some cases, preventable) death of an individual is exacerbated by the resentment that can build amongst family members, relatives, and close friends when they feel that the actions of another individual or entity are to blame, which has yet to be held accountable.  The phrase wrongful death refers to a set of circumstances when the negligent actions of an individual or an entity are responsible for the untimely death of another individual (the victim) which may have otherwise been avoidable.

The number of circumstances and scenarios which can be classified as wrongful death are innumerable; however, virtually every case involves some degree of negligence on the part of the surviving participant(s) to the event.  Jason Melton is a leading wrongful death litigation attorney, victim’s right’s advocate and Managing Partner at Whittel & Melton, LLC, a Florida-based law firm specializing in wrongful death litigation.  His Firm has been recognized by its peers for being among the preeminent Plaintiff’s Right’s law firms in country due to its extensive track record and continued involvement in marquis tort litigation that sets legal precedent and impacts case law for years to come.

We sat down with Jason to discuss how the average person can learn to identify the top-5 most common wrongful death scenarios.  Jason starts “The determining factor in identifying wrongful death is the degree of negligence or harm that was inflicted by an individual or company [defendant] upon the decedent [complainant] or its surviving family due to the oversight, disregard or careless action of those involved in the situation of death or those entrusted with his/her care, employment, or safe travel.  If a family member or loved one has passed away under circumstances like those mentioned, you may want to explore wrongful death representation by a reputable law firm.”  Jason continues, “Often, identifying wrongful death can be a difficult task and one that is made more painful due to the degree of diligence that is required to examine the context in which a loved one passed away.” Scenarios of wrongful death can include:

Funeral services, no matter what religion or faith they observe may abide by certain traditions and customs to enhance their spiritual meaning and sentiment in tribute of the person who passed. It is important to understand what these customs and traditions are so you best know how to pay your respects.

If you are attending a Mormon funeral in the near future, you may be wondering what the typical traditions and etiquette a Mormon funeral service observes. We have put together a guide here to help you understand the religious traditions of a Mormon funeral so you are prepared and know what to expect. 

Mormons’ Spiritual Beliefs on Death

In the Mormon religion, also known as the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, it is believed that death represents the soul’s separation from the body. Mormons believe that after passing, a person will be judged based on the goodness of their spirit. Souls that are deemed good will be granted respite in paradise, while those not deemed worthy will go to a place called spirit prison. As such, honoring traditional customs after a Mornom has passed is important to celebrate the person’s life and to pay homage to their soul as it makes its way to its afterlife.

While the passing of a loved one is one of the most emotionally difficult things you can deal with, choosing the right funeral home to celebrate and honor their legacy will help bring peace and closure. And while you are grieving, it can be challenging to navigate the process of finding a funeral home to prepare end-of-life arrangements for your loved one. Whether you are mourning the death of a loved one right now, or pre-planning, we have created a handy guide below, offering tips and advice to help you find a local funeral home that will be right for you.

What Should You Look for in a Funeral Home?

1)  Convenient Location

It is important that the location of the funeral home is close enough for you and your family to comfortably commute to, as you will be making several visits there. You may also want to consider the location that your loved one would have preferred to have their service performed at and factor that into the decision. If you will be arranging a burial service after the funeral proceedings, you should also consider the funeral home’s proximity to the cemetery or burial site and find out if the funeral home will offer transportation services for you and your family, as well.

2)  Clear and Transparent Pricing

This is an emotionally trying time, and the last thing you want is to feel guilted into purchasing a package of unnecessary things that can potentially hike up the price of the service. The funeral home you choose should be upfront, honest and transparent in their pricing, as well as abide by the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule (you can find out more about your rights according to the stipulations of the law, at the link here) It is a delicate balance, finding a funeral home that will work within with your budget, while paying tribute to your loved one in a meaningful way.

The passing of a loved one is devastating in and of itself. However, when negligence was involved in the cause of the death, the situation becomes even more painful. Under the circumstances of wrongful death, the family of the deceased not only suffers emotionally, but also must cope with fiscal and financial hardships too, possibly debt, medical bills, missed wages – and the situation worsens if the decedent was the main wage earner of the family.

Wrongful death refers to a death that is caused by the recklessness or carelessness of another. If your loved one passed under these circumstances, then you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit on his or her behalf.

We have put together a guide on how to hire a wrongful death attorney to help you navigate this emotionally difficult and trying time.

A funeral service, regardless of which faith or religion’s traditions it abides by, is always a ceremony of great sentiment, emotion and meaning. If you are attending a Jewish funeral service in the near future, you may have questions as to what the ceremony will entail, the proper etiquette to follow and the traditions that will be observed. We have put together an overview of the traditions and etiquette you would normally experience at a Jewish funeral service, so you are best prepared to pay your respects at the Jewish funeral of a friend or family member.

A few words on life and death according to the Jewish religion

It is believed that while there is a right way to live as a Jew, the same goes for death, in that there is a right way to die and be buried as a Jew. According to the Jewish religion, it is believed that all people are created in the image of God. Jewish people abide by the philosophy that one should embrace life while accepting the eventuality of death. They hold the belief that while there is no one or right view in regard to what will happen in the afterlife, and are free to choose whether to believe in heaven or not, there is a strong focus on doing good deeds during life, so as to live in the image of God According to Jewish tradition, it is considered a mitzvot (commandment) of profound significance to accompany the decedent to their burial, helping them reach their eternal resting place.

When should a Jewish funeral service take place?

According to the Jewish religion, the burial of the decedent should take place within a day of their passing or the soonest possible date it can be arranged. However, with loved ones coordinating travel plans from all over to attend the funeral, it is accepted and common nowadays for the funeral to take place a few days after the decedent’s passing.

When you are attending the funeral of a loved one or a friend whose family will be observing the traditions of a particular religion, it is important to understand and be aware of that religion’s traditions and etiquette. In this article, we will be exploring Catholic funeral traditions in depth so you know what to expect and how to follow proper etiquette to best be able to pay your respects to the decedent and their loved ones.

What function does the Catholic funeral service serve?

In the Catholic religion, when someone of the Catholic faith passes away, a Catholic funeral service is held for them. Beyond commemorating and celebrating the life of the deceased person and the meaning they possessed to their loved ones, the funeral service performs an important function. As it is believed in the Catholic faith that the deceased will be given access to Heaven if they are granted forgiveness by God, the funeral service serves as a chance for the decedent’s loved ones to appeal to God to receive his mercy. As such, you will hear various prayers being spoken at a Catholic funeral service, as well as discussion of the deceased now being at home with God that will offer comfort to loved ones in mourning.

Catholic Vigil (Wake)

In the Catholic religion, the family of the deceased traditionally hold a Catholic vigil or wake which takes palce after the passing of their loved one, but prior to the funeral mass and burial, typically held the day or evening before the funeral service. The vigil service may be performed at a Catholic church, the funeral home, or the home of the decedent. An important time to the loved ones of the deceased, the vigil allows family and friends to gather in prayer to offer their condolences to the decedent, and to support the grieving family. There may be readings and reflections to observe the Catholic scripture. Eulogies, singing and even poetry may also be performed during this ceremony.

What do you say to a colleague when they’ve suffered a loss of a loved one? It can be tricky to navigate this, since the relationship is likely to be mostly professional. We do often get to know our coworkers on a personal level, sometimes even going for an after work drink if not attending holiday parties together. We may know some information about their lives, but not think of these people as close friends. It could feel like more of a fairweather acquaintance. But, we interact with these people on a daily basis and so we want to create a comfortable and supportive environment for them and ourselves. When we’re given the information that a coworker’s family member or friend has passed away, we feel the need to pay our respects yet remain professional. Whether or not the relationship is such that you feel the best thing is to attend the funeral or memorial services, then a message is a great way to show you are thinking of them during this difficult time. Below are examples of 15 condolence messages to send to a coworker. Feel free to take what you read and change it if you need.

15 Condolence Message Examples

1. I’m so sorry for your loss
2. Please accept my condolences for your recent loss.
3. My deepest condolences for the loss of your loved one.
4. I remember hearing stories of your loved one. I am so sorry for your loss.
5. I am thinking of you and your family right now. 
6. My heart goes out to you and your family right now.
7. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
8. My condolences as your grieve.
9. Everyone in the office is here for you for whatever you need.
10. I am lighting a candle in honor of your dear loved one’s loss. 
11. Take all the time you need, and let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.
12. I know this is such a hard time for you, I’m sure the services will be beautiful as you remember his/her life.
13. I am sending my love to you and your family.
14. We are all thinking of you and your family.
15. We send our deepest condolences for your loss. 

When it comes to a coworker’s loss, you can also send a message for the entire office if you choose. The wording can be changed to “we”, as seen above in some examples.

Whomever it is in your life who is going through the death of a loved one, condolence messages are considered standard. They are offered either through email, text, phone call, or an in-person visit. 

For a funeral director, the most important part of his position is to help a grieving family through a certainly difficult situation. Funeral directors are well trained in how to give comfort to a family member who has suffered a great loss. A large part of a funeral director’s services to a family is to connect them with support, advice, even groups that may be helpful for people who are grieving. 

In addition to consoling the bereaved, licensed funeral directors are prepared to ease the process of funeral planning. The director can walk you through each step of the funeral arrangements.

After a Death Occurs

The first part of a funeral home or mortuary services start immediately after a death occurs. The deceased is brought from the place of death, whether it be the home, a hospital, nursing home, or elsewhere, to the local funeral home. You may or may not know this, but a funeral home is one of your first calls when a loved one passes. The transfer of the body from one place to the funeral home is actually completely arranged by the funeral home director. If your loved one passes out of the state or the country, it is still the director’s responsibility to bring him or her home.

When your friend loses a loved one, whether it’s a parent, grandparent, child, or other close relation, a natural reaction is to support your friend however you can. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to know how to comfort someone who’s grieving. Even if you have a similar experience, the heartbreak in someone else still can feel inaccessible or impenetrable. One of the best things to remember is that you’re not going to make the pain go away. Your primary purpose is to show your friend how much you love and care for him or her, and that you’re there to give support in whatever way you can. 

If You’re Close to Someone Who’s Grieving

There’s a lot of things you can do if someone you’re really close to loses a loved one. Some actions you can take include bringing food over to your friend’s home, sending flowers or chocolates, or being a shoulder to cry on. What you decide to do depends on your level of comfort and how intimate your relationship is with this person. It might also depend on how much pain this loss is causing. Your friend may just want to be alone. A great way to find out how you can be supportive during a difficult time in your friend’s life, is to ask. “What do you need right now?” or “How can I support you through this?” are great examples for questions you can ask. 

The Purpose of Condolence Messages

If you have an acquaintance, or a friend who you aren’t particularly close with, you can still show consideration for what they’re going through. This is where condolence messages come in and can be a perfect way to get your sentiment across. Condolence messages are of course not limited to people who aren’t as close to someone who is grieving, but if you are in a more involved relationship then understandably you may want to do more. It is simply difficult to know what to say to someone, especially if you haven’t experienced a massive loss or shattering grief. We’ve compiled 15 examples of condolence messages that you can send, whatever your relation may be to the person who has suffered a loss.