Tag Archives: Death Care



“Cremation or Burial? A Jewish View” by Doron Kornbluth

A case advocating burial over the increasingly popular practice of cremation

Modern society tends to prefer cremation: it is perceived as cheaper than a burial, more environmentally sound, and, well, just more hip. To the contemporary person, “the idea of scattering ashes seems a eco-friendly alternative” to burial. The idea of … Continue reading

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Our Weekly Tip: Before Death: Estate Planning

How can you ease the uncertainties that can arise with settling an estate?

3 Tips to Keep in Mind During Estate Planning: 1) Gain Clarity: Understand what will need to be managed with this particular estate. Debt? Bank accounts? Real estate? 2) Embrace Proactivity: Many believe that estate planning shouldn’t be a concern … Continue reading

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How Can You Arrange an End of Life Celebration Through a Cremation Service Provider? An Interview with Ronette Leal McCarthy

Ronette Leal McCarthy shares with us the insights of creating a special end-of-life ceremony.

Today SevenPonds interviews Ronette Leal McCarthy, an Illinois licensed attorney and counsel at Elements, the cremation company. Ronette earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana and Chicago. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Chicago-Kent College of Law. Ronette … Continue reading

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“At the Funeral” by Mark Twain

Mark Twain offers us some lighthearted guidance on how to act at a funeral in his 1881 essay “At The Funeral”

For some, death has a unique way of not only modifying your perspective of a person but also altering your understanding of your own relationship with him or her. You may find that suddenly, after passing, an acquaintance has become … Continue reading

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3 Gems of Wisdom on Planning for Death & a Home Funeral

Home funeral guide and End of Life Consultant Sally Shannon’s on home funeral planning

Sally Shannon’s three tips on planning for death and home funerals: 1) Know Yourself: Be clear about why you are making the choice for a home funeral, whether your values are spiritual, political, financial, etc., and consider the tasks that … Continue reading

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Taking the Time to Say Goodbye: Vietnamese Funeral Customs

Traditional Vietnamese culture allows plenty of time for the grieving and burial process

We often anticipate the emotional and physical energy the death of a loved one will require from us, but seldom do we stop to think about the time it will demand from us as well; there is the time it … Continue reading

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