What to wear in a Funeral

Password Transition in the Family

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 Posted in Articles | No Condolences »

funeral services mississaugaPINs and passwords are supposedly kept personally to safeguard any kind of property possible. But there are instances when these passwords should be shared to other people in case something unfortunate may take place.

Importance of Password Transition

Passwords, PINs and security words are great and very effective specially when the person is still alive, but once the owner of these passwords die, all of those protected assets will be frozen and will no longer be accessible to others.

This problem is very common among families in the country. This can also cause a lot of problems too. Having access to the deceased loved one can provide additional help specially in paying the funeral homes and other essential things needed for the service.

Guessing what password or security word that your late loved one could have used will take a lot of time and often times, security systems will shut down after several failed attempts. Hiring a computer programmer to infiltrate the computer disk can also cost a lot of money.

Ways to Store Important Passwords

There are numerous secured online websites that allow you to store important passwords and PINs where your family can access when accidents happen. The keyword is ‘secure’. You want to make sure that you are keeping your passwords in a safe online environment.

Online

  • One good thing about these websites is that you can add instructions as to what to do in case something happens. Things like shutting down the account, splitting the money equally to the family and even details about the funeral planning.
  • Making this extra step will ensure that all your assets will be taken care of by the family and will be utilized according to how you wanted it to be used.
  • Because of security measures, some websites may take a while for you to complete this process. There are also rules and conditions on how the family can access the information.

Offline

  • For those people who want to stay away from digital planning, you can always get a clean sheet of paper and write the passwords to the accounts that you have.

 

Whatever method you decide to choose, sharing PINs to the family will help the family focus on the funeral itself rather than focus on password identification.

What to wear in a Funeral

Friday, February 10th, 2012 Posted in Articles, Blog | No Condolences »

funeral services mississaguaA funeral may be considered as a major life event especially if the deceased is a loved one or a family member. There are certain funeral etiquettes that family and guests must follow. In accordance with that, dress code should also be observed.

Dressing had already evolved through the years especially in major life events. In a funeral, people are often baffled and confused on what is the appropriate attire to wear. For some countries that follow tradition, this would not be a problem since cultural attires are to be worn.

Some families include attire in funeral planning. Family members will be instructed what to wear and guests will be notified by the obituaries or through a note.

Some of the Common Attires

  • For men, one of the most appropriate funeral attires is a black suit. Men do not necessarily need to wear a coat and a tie but a pair of dark dress pants, a white button-up shirt and a black suit will be appropriate. An all-black ensemble (black shirt, black pants and black jacket) may also be considered.
  • For women, it is important to use conservative clothing when visiting funeral homes. Women can wear trousers and suits. A black skirt paired with a plain white blouse and a black jacket will also be a good look for a funeral.
  • Dresses could also be worn in these events. Even before modernization, women always wear dresses during funeral services. The dress must not be too low cut in the front or in the back, and the skirt should be of decent length.
  • The color should be neutral or dark and never flashy.
  • A hat and a pair of gloves are also common accessories worn by women during funerals.
  • Children should also dress appropriately. A Sunday dress in dark color can be worn by a little girl while the little boys can follow an adult men’s attire.

Wearing black has always been a tradition in funerals but the rules are not strict nowadays. In some cultures like Buddhism, people avoid wearing the color red during a funeral. At the end of the day, people should always wear conservative clothing in events like this.

Buddhist Funeral Customs

Monday, January 30th, 2012 Posted in Articles | No Condolences »

buddhist burialWith every type of religion come different sets of traditions and beliefs regarding funeral services. Just like other religions, death in Buddhism is a significant event.

Beliefs and Traditions

  • Buddhists believe that everyone undergoes a process of rebirth. It is thought that beings undergo a succession of lifetimes in many forms not necessarily human.
  • In Buddhism, the death of a person is only a transition between the current lifetime to the new one.
  • Death also reminds the living about the teachings of Buddha that nothing is permanent.
  • Buddhists perform customs that will eventually assist the dead as he or she undergoes the process of rebirth.
  • Buddhism has two major branches and both have their own traditions when it comes to funerals

Theravada or The School of the Elders

For Theravada Buddhists, the living will attempt to transfer merit to the dead person. Merit is being transferred to a dead loved one in order to diminish or decrease his or her suffering in the new rebirth. Death rites are also the only ritual related to the life cycle that most Theravada Buddhists practice.

  • Mahayana which means The Great Vehicle

For Mahayana Buddhists, merit-transferring ceremonies are often done on the 49th day amidst death and rebirth.

Funeral Practices

  • One of their practices is to offer cloth in behalf of the dead.
  • Before the body is being cremated, a white cloth is being offered and is stitched to make monastic robes.
  • The living gives merit to the deceased by pouring water to an overflowing cup.
  • While these are happening, different chants and funeral quotes are being recited.
  • Preaching for the benefit of the dead is also another practice where a monastic visits the home of the dead person and gives an hour- long sermon to the living.
  • v Offering in the name of the dead is a custom wherein three weeks after the funeral, the living performs almsgiving on the dead person’s behalf.
  • Recitation of Amitabha Sutra and the name of Amitabha is also a common practice. Although uncommon, mummification may also be done.

In both branches, the body of the dead person is usually cremated. Whatever the traditions are, death will always be a sad moment in the part of the living.

Funeral Customs for Law Enforcement Funerals

Monday, January 23rd, 2012 Posted in Articles, Blog | No Condolences »

Law enforcement officers are known for protecting the public interest and keeping your area safe. When a person who sacrifices his or her life for the public every day dies, it is just appropriate to give respect to the fallen law enforcement officer and the family.

Important Things to Remember

  • Whether the law enforcement officer died while on duty, in an accident, or even a retired officer died of old age, proper funeral services must be provided by the concerned department.
  • As soon as the family is informed of the death of the officer, the planning for the funeral is also being done.
  • In most cases, a family member acts as a liaison who serves as the point of contact between the family and the department.
  • In larger departments, they will assign a Survivor Action Officer who will be responsible for the planning of the funeral and coordination between other departments as well.
  • It is the family’s choice to decline any tradition that they would not want to be done but usually, once an officer is signed up for service, he or she is being asked for written requests about their funeral rights in case anything happens.

Expenses, Common Practices, and Traditions

  • Most departments cover most funeral prices and expenses.
  • Other departments also provide financial assistance to the bereaved family.
  • The department usually provides a watch guard who will be responsible for a 24/7 casket watch until after the funeral
  • Casket watch is a part of the full military-style honors that law enforcement departments provide for the funeral.
  • Honor guards are also assigned to serve as color guards and pallbearers.
  • The late officer’s uniform cap is place on top of the casket during the duration of the funeral.
  • Having bagpipers is also a common tradition.
  • A last radio call is also performed during the final rights of the funeral and doves are sometimes release as well.
  • A 21-gun salute is also performed by the firing party.
  • A flag is being placed on top of the casket and a proper flag folding ceremony is performed at the end of the funeral.

Funeral Etiquette

Monday, January 16th, 2012 Posted in Articles, Blog | No Condolences »

In every occasion or gathering, there are certain rules to follow in doing things right. Attending a funeral, wake, or memorial is not an exemption. Funeral etiquette is a very essential thing that somebody has to observe all the time.

  • Be There On Time

Exert all effort to arrive at the funeral home or church early. It would be good if you will be there 20 minutes before the scheduled funeral service. Take your seat silently and humbly wait for the family to arrive. The first several rows are normally assigned for the members of the family and dear friends of the departed, so it is advisable for you to stay around the middle of the sanctuary. If the casket is open, take the opportunity to have a last glance at the deceased.

  • Involve Yourself

Generally, a funeral is being led by ministry member or assigned speaker. You have to participate in the ceremony. Stand during the prayers if there’s a need to. Funeral songs will most likely be rendered; if you are familiar with the lyrics it would be good if you will also sing with the congregation or group. If you think there’s no need for you to participate, just stay quiet and remain solemn.

  • Observe Proper Dress Code

Funeral services are generally ceremonial gatherings. Be aware of the attire and the way how you behave. Do it in a manner that shows your veneration for the departed. Simple get up or business attire will be accepted. Try not to wear party dresses. Suit with a traditional tie is recommended for men.

  • Adhere to the Order of Dismissal

As a general practice, family members have to follow the coffin out of the church during funeral processions. Dismissal is often being done observing a certain order. Leave the place without delay following the suggested sequence. If you plan to witness the burial ceremony, get to your vehicle swiftly and wait for the signal from the traffic administrators. Headlights need to be turned on to denote to other drivers that you are part of the procession.

How to Write an Obituary

Monday, January 9th, 2012 Posted in Articles | No Condolences »

After a loved one passed away, a lot of people wish to compose an expressive obituary to be published in local broadsheets or websites. In its simplest form, an obituary is an announcement of bereavement and funeral schedules. At its finest, an obituary is an evocative brief account of an individual’s existence and legacy.

Here are some steps that you can follow if you want to inscribe a thorough yet concise obituary for your dear one:

  • You may begin by writing essential details that will be contained in the obituary.
  • Make sure that the name of the deceased is spelled correctly. Middle name and titles like MD, III or Jr. should be included. In the case of a married woman, her maiden name should be used.
  • The date and place of birth, date and place of death, and the place where the faithful departed lived should be added in.
  • Living and deceased relatives should be listed. That would include the grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts and even step-families. For big families, you may just include the parents of the deceased, brothers and sisters, children and their partners, followed by the complete number of grand or great-grandchildren.
  • Finest obituaries do not just serve as an announcement of death but an account of the deceased’s lifetime. You can enumerate remarkable information, special thoughts, and other fascinating facts about the late person.
  • Funeral service information and the details about memorial, burial, or interment have to be mentioned if applicable. Funeral home address should be included if it is necessary.
  • Itemize the charities or memorial funds that will receive donations as specified by the deceased.
  • If there are some people or organizations that the late person or his family wishes to thank, list them down. Normally, they are those who cared for the deceased during his sufferings or real friends who were there no matter what.
 
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