Funerals--A Consumer Guide to Planning

Funerals are something no one wants to think about...but most of us will plan a funeral at some point--either by pre-planning our own service, or by planning a funeral for a loved one.

If you have questions about funerals, ask our panel of experts, which includes licensed professional funeral directors, grief support counselors, and industry experts on everything from cremation to caskets and burial vaults. There's information on embalming and other processes surrounding body preparation, information on how to donate a body to science, and even career information on becoming a funeral service professional yourself.

Free Guide to Planning Funerals
Use this free online tool to help make decisions and communicate your wishes to your family and funeral director. (use the preparation guide)

Consumer Satisfaction with Funeral Homes
The funeral service industry gets some bad press, but new research studies show this may not reflect an accurate picture. (full article)

Technology Helps with Funeral Planning, Increases Family Comfort Levels
Cutting edge technology has arrived in funeral homes around the country, making the funeral arrangement process easier and more comfortable for families. Larkin Memorial is one of the leaders. (full article)

Family-Owned Businesses and Funerals
Family-owned funeral homes can be a great way to handle your funeral care needs. Find out how they differ from the rest. (full article)

Personalizing the Funeral Experience
A funeral or memorial service can and should be as unique as the life that is being celebrated. Don't feel that you have to have a cookie cutter type of service or that your ideas for a special ceremony are foolish. (full article)

What's Available? An Overview of Funeral Products and Services
Find out how caskets are made, the characteristics of different types of urns, what a burial vault does (and doesn't do), and much more in this informative section. Find out if you're getting your money's worth. (full article)

How Do You Find a Funeral Home?
An easy-to-use funeral home locator guide designed to help you locate family-owned funeral homes near you.

Pre-Planning a Funeral or Memorial (Pre need Funeral Planning)
No one likes to think about death, let alone plan for it. In many families, discussing one's mortality is an extremely uncomfortable topic. By pre-planning your funeral, you relieve your family of having to make important financial decisions during a period of great stress and grief. (full article)