Planning Guides
In-depth studies, practical cost breakdowns, and comprehensive guides for families navigating end-of-life planning.
Green & Alternative
Alkaline Hydrolysis (Aquamation): The Science Behind Water Cremation
An educational guide to alkaline hydrolysis (aquamation or water cremation), explaining the scientific process, environmental benefits, costs, and state legality in 2026.
EditorialHome Funerals Explained: How to Legally Care for a Loved One at Home
A complete guide to home funerals covering legality by state, body care and preservation without embalming, permits required, and the growing home death care movement.
EditorialHuman Composting (Natural Organic Reduction): Legality and Costs in 2026
Everything you need to know about human composting, including the science behind natural organic reduction, which states have legalized it, costs, and how the process works.
EditorialSea Burials: Rules, Regulations, and Costs for Scattering Ashes at Sea
A comprehensive guide to sea burials and ash scattering at sea, covering EPA regulations, Navy burial-at-sea programs, costs, and how to plan a meaningful ocean memorial.
EditorialWhat Is a Green Burial? Environmental and Financial Benefits Explained
A comprehensive guide to green burials covering biodegradable caskets, natural cemeteries, environmental impact, costs, and how to find green burial providers near you.
EditorialConsumer Protection
Can You Negotiate Prices with a Funeral Home? Insider Strategies
Discover actionable insider strategies for negotiating funeral costs, buying third-party caskets, avoiding emotional upselling, and navigating the General Price List.
EditorialHow to Read and Compare Funeral Home General Price Lists (GPL)
Learn how to interpret a funeral home's General Price List, compare costs across providers, spot hidden fees, and exercise your FTC Funeral Rule consumer rights.
EditorialFuneral Finance
How Crowdfunding and GoFundMe Work for Funeral Expenses
A practical guide to using GoFundMe and other crowdfunding platforms to cover funeral costs, including setup tips, tax implications, and how to maximize donations.
EditorialFuneral Insurance vs. Life Insurance: Key Differences Explained
Understand the critical differences between funeral insurance (final expense insurance) and traditional life insurance, including coverage amounts, premiums, underwriting, and which is right for you.
EditorialPros and Cons of Prepaid Funeral Plans: Are They Worth It?
A balanced analysis of prepaid funeral plans covering price locks, transferability risks, cancellation penalties, and whether pre-paying for funeral arrangements is a smart financial decision.
EditorialFuneral Planning
Direct Cremation vs. Traditional Burial: What Families Need to Know
A detailed comparison of direct cremation and traditional burial covering costs, processes, environmental impact, religious considerations, and how to decide what's right for your family.
EditorialThe Ultimate Guide to Understanding Funeral Costs in 2026
A comprehensive breakdown of average funeral costs in 2026, including burial, cremation, caskets, embalming, and hidden fees families should know about.
EditorialA Step-by-Step Checklist: What to Do When a Loved One Passes
A practical, chronological checklist covering the first 72 hours after a death, from pronouncement to funeral arrangements, notifications, and legal paperwork.
EditorialHome Funerals After Trauma, Autopsy, or Organ Donation: What Families Need to Know
We compiled expert guidance from the National Home Funeral Alliance on adapting home funeral practices for bodies that have undergone autopsy, organ/tissue donation, or sustained traumatic injuries.
EditorialBuilding a Community Deathcare Team: Who to Ask and How to Organize
We synthesized best practices from community organizing and home funeral networks into a practical guide for building a care team.
EditorialVeteran Services
Grief & Support
How to Write a Eulogy (With Template)
A complete guide and printable fill-in-the-blank template to help you write a meaningful and structured eulogy.
EditorialHow to Write an Obituary (With Free Templates and Cost Breakdown)
A step-by-step guide to writing a meaningful obituary for a loved one. Includes free downloadable templates, cost comparisons for newspapers, and tips for online publishing.
EditorialNavigating Family Disagreements
Practical tools and a printable resolution worksheet to prevent, manage, and resolve family conflicts during funeral planning.
EditorialReturning to Work After a Loss
A guide covering your legal rights to bereavement leave, how to talk to HR, and practical tips for easing back into the workplace.
EditorialFuneral Guest Etiquette
A straightforward guide for funeral guests on proper etiquette, appropriate attire, and what to say to a grieving family.
EditorialHow to Transport a Body Yourself: Vehicles, Permits, and Police Stops
We compiled state regulations and logistical protocols for self-transporting a deceased loved one, including vehicle requirements, permit handling, and what to say if you are pulled over.
EditorialInvolving Children in a Home Funeral: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers
We synthesized pediatric grief research and home funeral best practices into a practical guide for helping parents give children agency, choice, and safety during a home vigil.
EditorialUnderstanding Grief: The Ball in the Box and Ring Theory Explained
We distilled two of the most effective grief psychology models into plain language, giving families a framework to understand their pain and ask for the right support.
EditorialAfter Care
Cremation Keepsakes & Jewelry
Everything you need to know about memorial keepsakes, cremation jewelry, cost options, and preserving ashes.
EditorialFuneral Crowdfunding Campaign Setup
Learn how to write a compelling GoFundMe or Ever Loved funeral crowdfunding story that successfully raises money.
EditorialHow to Live-Stream a Funeral
Learn how to easily set up a private live-stream for a funeral using a smartphone and free platforms like Zoom or YouTube.
EditorialHow Many Death Certificates Do You Need?
A complete checklist of exactly how many certified death certificates you need to order to settle an estate and close accounts.
EditorialPet Loss & Funeral Options
A complete guide to pet aftercare options including cremation, home burial rules, pet cemeteries, and beautiful memorial ideas.
EditorialManaging a Digital Legacy
A complete guide to managing a deceased loved one's digital legacy, including closing Facebook, Apple, and banking accounts.
EditorialEstate & Legal
How to File the Final Tax Return for a Deceased Person
A plain English guide to filing IRS Form 1040 for someone who passed away. Learn who signs, how to claim medical deductions, and how to get the refund using Form 1310.
EditorialUnclaimed Life Insurance and Missing Money: How to Search for Assets
Did your loved one leave behind money you do not know about? Learn how to use the NAIC policy locator, state unclaimed property databases, and find old 401ks and bank accounts.
EditorialFamily Guide to Money, Debt, and Scams After Death
Do you have to pay a dead parent's credit cards? Can debt collectors take your house? Plain English guide to protecting your family, stopping scam calls, and finding the right lawyer.
EditorialProbate 101: What It Is, How to Avoid It, and the Small Estate Shortcut
Learn what probate actually is, which assets go through court, how to legally bypass probate using trusts and beneficiary designations, and how to use the small estate shortcut.
Editorial