When it comes to cremation, many families don’t realize they have options for time with their person before the final goodbye. Most funeral homes and mortuaries don’t widely advertise these opportunities, not because they aren’t desired, but because they aren’t big-ticket offerings. But just because something isn’t flashy or profitable doesn’t mean it isn’t deeply important. These quiet, often-overlooked moments can offer profound peace and a sense of closure.

In recent years, society has been rethinking traditional burial and cremation practices, seeking more environmentally friendly ways to handle end-of-life care. One emerging method is natural organic reduction (NOR), commonly known as human composting. This innovative process transforms human remains into nutrient-rich soil, offering a sustainable and regenerative way to honor the cycle of life.

Awareness and demand for end-of-life care with a holistic and natural focus is growing, which has brought the presence of death doulas to prominence. As families and individuals begin to explore the options and outcomes of perhaps the most profound transitions in one’s life, death doulas strive to provide personalized guidance and tried-and-true support.

Imagine this: a group of strangers gathered in a cozy space, sipping tea, nibbling on cakes or pastries, and talking about... death. Yes, death—the one subject that most people avoid in daily conversation. But at a Death Cafe, that’s exactly what happens. And despite what you might expect, these conversations are far from morbid or dreary. Instead, they’re filled with authentic reflections, a mix of curiosity, and sometimes even humor.

Attending a funeral or memorial service can be an emotional difficult and challenging experience. For women, selecting an appropriate funeral outfit requires care and consideration. Although funeral fashions have modernized over the years, there are still some traditional expectations to consider regarding colors, styles, and accessories.

A green burial is a way of caring for the deceased with minimal environmental impact. It aims to reduce the consumption of resources, and carbon emissions, and preserve natural habitats. Unlike traditional burials, which often involve embalming fluids, non-biodegradable materials, and resource-intensive practices, green burials prioritize eco-friendly and sustainable methods.

When a loved one is passing, families often long for more than a rushed goodbye. In today’s world, where we are conditioned to move quickly and hand things over to professionals, it can be easy to forget that we have the right to pause. A vigil is a sacred time of presence and remembrance, and it can take place before or after death - whether coming together prior to death to say good-bye, sitting in support as someone is transitioning, or gathering once they have died. In any case, a vigil creates space to slow down, to let our hearts and minds begin to reconcile the reality of what is happening, and to honor a life in a way that feels true.