Tag Archives: Funeral

The Return of the Shrouding Women

Women are reclaiming jobs as funeral directors – a death-care profession dominated by men for over a century

Once death care was viewed as a woman’s job. The shrouding women washed the body of the deceased, anointed it with herbs, dressed and prepared it for a funeral or a wake. Women helped bring life into this world and … Continue reading

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The Funeral That Took 530 Years

A king of England is getting a proper burial for the first time this week

He died in 1485, but King Richard III is finally getting his own funeral. It took 530 years after his death in battle for the former ruler to have a proper burial. The king’s story is an unusual one. In … Continue reading

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Mourning Loss in Brazilian Funerals

This week, we look at how the traditions in Brazilian funerals memorialize the pain of loss

Like the act of death, Brazilian funerals are celebrations that happen almost instantaneously at first, before they extend into a long, drawn out, grieving process. This is a tradition that is born out of necessity, as the warm and moist … Continue reading

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Our Weekly Tip: Decorations for Ash Scattering

Decorate the receptacle of your loved one to create a beautiful, personal memorial experience

Our Tip of the Week: Funerals, memorials, celebration of life ceremonies — they may be difficult to get through, but eventually you will be able to remember these events and take comfort in the love and support that abounded from … Continue reading

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What is the Funeral Consumers Alliance? An Interview with Joshua Slocum

The Funeral Consumers Alliance talks about your rights...

Joshua Slocum is the Executive Director of the Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA), a nonprofit dedicated to education and advocacy surrounding funeral consumer rights. Coming out next month, his groundbreaking (sorry) book Final Rights: Reclaiming the American Way of Death digs deep … Continue reading

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 “All Things Must Pass” by George Harrison

Music for funerals can be uplifting, as heard in this beautiful tune from the late Beatles guitarist

Letting go is one of the most difficult things in the world, but George Harrison might make it a little easier. His song, “All Things Must Pass,” off of his solo album of the same name is a subtle take … Continue reading

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