End of Life

The Process of Donating a Whole Body for Medical Research

A whole-body donation can provide a compassionate and humane possible choice for a funeral.

This article discusses the process and the benefits that a anatomical body donation to support medical education, the research, and development of new surgical techniques well as emergency medical skills.

How to Start a Conversation About End-of-Life Care

"Planning for your final days is hard, but it's an invaluable gift to caregivers and loved ones"

This 2021 Article from AARP addresses this difficult topic. It also references the "Your Conversation Starter Guide" a product of the Conversation Project, an initiative of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. This guide is available on this site under Healthcare Planning.

"How we want to die is the most important and costly conversation Americans aren't having. Consider these facts:

• Ninety percent of people think it is important to talk about end-of-life wishes with their loved ones, but only 27 percent have done so, according to a 2021 study published in the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services.
  
• One in 5 respondents to a 2018 survey by the Conversation Project, which works to promote greater discussion of end-of-life-care, said they've avoided the subject out of worry about upsetting their loved ones.
  
• A sizable majority of people say they want to die at home, but 60 percent die in hospitals or institutions."

Holding a Celebration of Life

9 Celebration of Life Ideas to Honor Your Loved One

There are many wonderful ways to honor and remember your loved one. Some families choose to host a celebration of life instead of a funeral. Others have a funeral, then hold a celebration of life weeks, months or years afterward to continue honoring their loved one, or to include others who weren’t able to attend a previous ceremony. 

If you choose to host a celebration of life, you may be wondering the best way to honor them. To spark some inspiration, we offer nine celebration of life ideas you can use to honor the life of a loved one.

7 Unique Ways to Honor Them After Cremation

When considering cremation, some families worry that the options for memorialization can be limited. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. With the increasing popularity of cremation, the options are nearly limitless.

There are many ways to create a special, unique memorial for your loved one. In this article, we will explore just seven of the unique ways to celebrate the life of your loved one after choosing cremation.

Check this website for some interesting ways to create an unique memorial from the ashes resulting from cremation.

AARP - How to Write a Memorable Obituary

"Pay tribute to the little and big things that made your loved one special."

"Carl Reiner, the legendary comedy writer, producer, director and performer, told CBS Sunday Morning in 2015 that the first thing he does in the morning before he has coffee is read the obituaries. “If I'm not in there, I know that I'm alive,” he said."

An informative article from AARP on how to tackle writing an obituary. Most of us have little or no experience and this article is a good way of pulling it together.

5 Estate Planning Lessons from Aretha Franklin’s Will

A handwritten document found in the late singer’s couch is ruled valid

"Singer Aretha Franklin taught her fans about respect, pride and gospel during her long career. Five years after her death, she’s giving us all a lesson about how to provide for our heirs — and how not to."

Insight into end-of-life estate issues that can arise even with celebrities when estate planning steps are missed or surprises occur. An interesting read and reminder. A July 2023, article from AARP.

Smart Ways to Cover the Cost of a Funeral

You probably don’t want to think about it, but at some point, you are going to die and someone's going to have to pay for the funeral.

The attached article from AARP offers some suggestions for covering the costs associated with a cremation/funeral/memorial service.

Answers to FAQ about Death Certificates

"Death certificates are the only legal proof of someone’s passing. Closing accounts, probating an estate, and dozens of other necessary tasks would be impossible without them. Get answers to the most frequently asked questions, including how, when, and where they’re issued."

This article prepared by ShareLife addresses many questions about Death Certificates. ShareLife.com is an organization of funeral homes, so the information provided is from the funeral director's perspective.

"It’s everything we do to make your event both personal and unforgettable. Whether we’re prearranging a funeral, planning a life celebration or helping you choose permanent memorialization, ShareLife combines a variety of products, services and options that transform traditional funerals into one-of-a-kind celebrations, making beautiful memories that last a lifetime."

Consumer Reports - The Last Goodbye: How to Plan a Funeral

A complete guide to giving loved ones the right send-off—from traditional services to new green burials from Consumer Reports.

"Many people are embracing a new model for saying goodbye to family members and other loved ones. Cremation, for instance, is growing in popularity, as are environmentally gentle burials and even at-home funeral services."

"And whether these services are traditional or more unusual, there are now more ways than ever to personalize end-of-life arrangements—and to keep them low-cost."

"The key is making some choices well beforehand, which more people appear to be doing. For instance, according to an April 2024 Consumer Reports nationally representative survey (PDF) of 2,042 adults in the U.S., 50 percent said they planned or intended to plan ahead either for their own funeral or for someone else’s."

Check out this July 2024 article for insights on current trends and costs.

The Conversation Project

The Conversation Project

"The Conversation Project is dedicated to helping people talk about their wishes for care through the end of life.

The Conversation Project® is a public engagement initiative with a goal that is both simple and transformative: to help everyone talk about their wishes for care through the end of life, so those wishes can be understood and respected.

Together we can make these difficult conversations easier. We can make sure that our own wishes, and those of the people who matter most to us (our loved ones, friends, chosen family), are both understood and respected. The Conversation Project offers free tools, guidance, and resources to begin talking with those who matter most about your and their wishes."

The link below explores a variety of resources to help make, discuss and document future healthcare wishes and decisions in your advance care planning. Check out this site that not only adds a great deal of information about advanced care planning but provides a tool to help start the conversations required for advanced care planning.

Angels in Waiting - Cremation and Burial Services

Who We Are


Angels In Waiting is a family owned, full-service mortuary. We offer cremation and burial services that will fit into your budget. Our simple and friendly atmosphere provides comfort in your time of need and our staff works to provide you with a professional and nurturing care.

Pre-planning

We offer pre-planning and pre-need insurance through Forethought Insurance Company. Please feel free to give us a call for more information.

Your Choice Of Funeral

We are here to provide you with the funeral services you choose. We do not believe in up-selling you with items or services you do not want. Whether you decide on a direct cremation, a body donation or a traditional burial, Angels In Waiting staff is here for all of your needs. We strive on providing our families with a professional and caring experience in delicate times.

Funeral Services

We are here to provide you with the funeral service YOU choose. We work with you to provide a funeral service of your choosing that will fit within your budget.

"We don't provide less, we just charge less."

How to Plan a Meaningful Memorial Service

"A 'celebration of life' honors the passing of a loved one in a personalized way."

"Memorial services have become more prevalent as cremation has outpaced traditional burials in the U.S., a trend fueled by boomers’ growing concern about the cost and environmental impact of burials coupled with a fall in religious affiliations."

J. Warren Funeral Services - Maricopa

At J. Warren Funeral Services, our purpose is to help you honor your loved one after they've passed away, no matter your personal preference, budget, culture, or religion.

Our family-owned funeral home is ready to help you with a variety of services, including funeral planning, onsite cremation, grief counseling, and more.

Our staff is available in Maricopa, AZ to lessen the burden on your family so that you can focus on celebrating your loved one's life and beginning your grief journey. Contact us with any questions you may have regarding our services.

ReturnAssured

Why is Return Assured Important?

So many Americans are away from home these days for business, family visits and recreation. Traveling has become second nature to most of us and we tend to forget that when we’re away from home… anything can happen, including death.

Our plan takes care of everything for you in the event that a death takes place more than 75 miles away from home.

Return AssuredSM offers a service that will protect your family if death should occur 75 miles or more from your legal residence (Legal residence must be in the United States or Canada). There is a one-time fee for a lifetime membership.

Heritage Casa Grande Funeral Home and Cremation Society of Arizona

Service Options:

Planning a funeral service can be a very difficult process for families who have just lost a loved one. But it’s important to provide those who are grieving with a supportive environment in which they can begin to find closure, say goodbye, and come to terms with the loss.

Gathering with friends and family gives everyone the opportunity to connect, share memories, offer words of sympathy, and create a lasting network of comfort and support as they start the journey toward healing.

Burial Services

There are different services that you can choose for a loved one’s burial, depending upon your individual needs and preferences:

Immediate burial means that your loved one will be buried or entombed without a public service or gathering.

Visitation, also called a viewing, wake, or calling hours, allows family and friends to gather in a room with the departed loved one in an open or closed casket and say goodbye or offer their support and sympathy to the bereaved.

Funeral or memorial services can take place at a funeral home, in a church, or even at your home. The service is a ceremony which serves to celebrate, honor, and remember the life of the deceased. Whether traditional or unique, both the visitation and the funeral service can be personalized to reflect the individuality of your loved one.

Graveside, chapel, or committal services are held at the cemetery, and allow family and friends to be present as their loved one is transferred to his or her final disposition through ground burial.

Cremation Services

The biggest misconception about cremation is that there can't be a funeral service or visitation. This is absolutely not the case, and we encourage you to consider holding a memorial service to celebrate the life of the deceased as well. There are many options open to you when it comes to honoring your loved one's life. After the cremation and memorial services, there are a variety of choices for your loved one's final disposition:

Interment means that you'll bury or entomb your loved one's cremated remains. This can be in a family plot, a memorial site, a cremation niche or urn garden, or in a variety of other indoor and outdoor locations. Ask our staff for a detailed list of interment possibilities.

Graveside services are similar to those celebrated alongside a traditional ground burial, in which loved ones are present at the burial of the cremated remains and honor the deceased through memorial prayers or other meaningful tributes.

Scattering allows you to spread your loved one's cremated remains in a memorial garden, a cemetery, over water, or across any other meaningful site. You also can choose to scatter some of the cremated remains and retain the rest in an urn for interment or another form of disposition.

Placing cremated remains in multiple urns allows family members who are separated by distance to each feel the comfort of having their loved one's final resting place in a nearby location.

Green Burial Services:

For those who want to be more environmentally friendly with their end-of-life decisions, we offer green burial options. This way, you can honor your loved one’s life while reducing their environmental impact. A green burial service may be right for your loved one if they were an avid nature lover, worked in an environmental science field, or were passionate about living an eco-friendly lifestyle.

To learn more about our green burial options, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Information on Planning Your Own Funeral

AARP has published a number of articles on funerals. This article provides information on how to plan for your own funeral in advance.

Help Your Family Plan Your Funeral Far in Advance

Make life easier for your family by gathering information and providing them with your preferences before you die. Notes on what you would like included in your obituary or at your service can make this difficult time much easier for your loved ones.

About Neptune Society Cremation Services

The Neptune Society is one of the biggest providers of cremation services. This website provides a considerable amount of information on the topic.

NOTE: This is simply a reference to useful information regarding cremation services. It should not necessarily be considered an endorsement of their services.

Shopping for Funeral Services by Phone or Online

"When a loved one dies, family members and friends often need to make decisions about a funeral quickly and under emotional stress. If your loved one dies in another state, or you can’t meet in person for any reason, you may need to plan a funeral by phone or online. Here are some steps to help you make arrangements at a distance."

Contents include:

• Learn About Funeral Homes in the Area
• Call Funeral Homes and Ask for Information
• Before You Accept the Arrangements, Ask for a Written Statement
• Get More Information
• Report Problems

To check out this information, visit this website from the Federal Trade Commission:

Unique Memorial Service Ideas

A big part of Estate Planning includes End of Life planning, and part of that can include making sure your wishes for funeral arrangements, cremation, memorials or burials are known. Whether you’re making your own End of Life plan, or you’re planning a celebration of life for a recently passed friend or family member, our list of memorial service ideas could be exactly what you’ve been searching for. 

Some Simple Memorial Service Ideas

15+ Simple Memorial Service Ideas

There are plenty of ways to host a memorial service that aren’t your traditional formal event. A memorial service can be any event where you remember the life of a loved one, so feel free to get creative with it. If you’re looking for information on memorial service ideas or for memorial service ideas for cremation, you’ve come to the right place.

No Cost Whole Body Donation for Research & Medical Education

Research for Life

"Research For Life is committed to providing compassionate services to donor families throughout Arizona and Southern California. Our whole body donor program brings donor specimens together with educators and researchers for the purpose of advancing medicine that improves or extends the quality life for people all over the world.

Over the past decade we have been a leader in our commitment to support responsible legislation that:

• would require that tissue banks in Arizona be licensed and inspected, and
• to mandate federal legislation that would regulate all whole-body donor activities.

We also continually lobby to maintain the right of all persons to choose whole body donation. Whole body donors help to save lives and improve the quality of life for current and future generations.

As a leading anatomical whole-body tissue bank in the United States, we are accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB).

Donors can make a difference and Research For Life can help facilitate their gift. We work with many cutting-edge organizations that are seeking to bring innovative medical devices or drug therapies to society that will improve and or extend the quality of life for many people around the world."

For more information check this website.

AARP - Why You Should Think About Your Digital Assets Before You Die

Your emails, documents, downloads, posts are an ‘incredible legacy of content’

"Think about your daily activities and how many of them involve the internet.

Whether you conduct your banking and bill paying online, post or browse social media, send and receive emails, upload photos or view medical records, a good part of your day may be spent online. But with the amount of information out there, what happens to those assets, known as your digital legacy, after you die?"

This updated AARP article from July 2024 discusses your 'digital legacy' and what provisions you need to consider for those that have to deal with the detail after you pass away.

Afterall - A collective of more than 100+ death care companies.

A collaboration of more than 1,700 death care professionals.
Your partner through the end-of-life experience.

We’re here when you need us,
We’re here however you want us:
At a time of uncertainty, care and credibility.
At a time of grief, comfort and confidence.
At a time when you might not know what step to take next,
we help you put one foot in front of the other,
by providing compassionate guidance and clearly communicating your options.

While Afterall is here for you through a death,
We are focused on honoring life,
The one that has ended
And all of those that continue on.

Afterall provides an extensive repository of very useful end-of-life information and if you need it, a list of professionals who can provide services. Check their website. It is an excellent resource for recommendations on cremation, burial services, memorial services, etc.

What is the Difference Between a Celebration of Life and a Memorial Service?

The difference between a celebration of life and a memorial service can be easily explained by thinking: modern vs tradition. And while there really is no wrong way to say goodbye, there are some decisions you’ll need to make about how the service you plan to honor your loved one will look and feel.

Donor Network of Arizona

As the federally designated, nonprofit organ procurement organization serving the entire state, Donor Network of Arizona relies on our skilled departments to make the most of life through the gifts of organ, tissue and eye donation.

For members of the public with questions about donation, please call 602-241-5550.

Sepio Guard

The Service we Provide.

We agree to provide transport services for your body if you die anywhere in the world that is more than 75 miles away from your residence at the time of your death.

The term “residence” in this agreement means your residence address in the United States where you have resided continuously for at least six months from the date of this agreement forward.

About Us:

After sitting with and serving thousands of families within the funeral industry, we have learned that it’s almost impossible to predict where death will occur. 80% of Americans travel more than 100 miles from home each year. We have seen firsthand how much more devastating death can be on loved ones when it happens away from home.

What to do When a Loved One Dies

AARP provides a checklist of the tasks that must be considered and completed when a loved one dies.

What I learned from my Mom's Approach to Death

"My mother had been thinking about her own end of life for as long as I can remember. She’d nursed two parents through long, agonizing final chapters, one with cancer and the other with Parkinson’s. Being such a dutiful caregiver forged a determination in her not to end up like her parents. She was almost militant about “not being a burden” to her three girls at the end."

This 2023 article from AARP provides some insight on grief and coping with the end of life.

Veterans' Burial Benefits: A Comprehensive Guide

This guide is a very comprehensive compendium of burial resources and benefits for veterans prepared by AFTERALL.

AFTERALL™ is the trade name of a network of licensed funeral, cremation, and cemetery providers associated with the Foundation Partners Group, LLC. - copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

A great resource for questions and explanations of burial rights and support for veterans.

Navigating mortality? We'll be your guide - Cake.com

We are the largest end-of-life platform on the internet.

"Join millions of people turning to Cake each month for guidance on death, grief, and mortality. We provide thousands of articles and tools designed to help you learn about and prepare for end-of-life."

Note the following provided by Cake:

"Cake offers its users do-it-yourself online forms to complete their own wills and generalized educational content about wills. We are not attorneys and are not providing you with legal advice. Many users would be better served consulting an attorney than using a do-it-yourself online form. The fees for the advice of an attorney should not be compared to the fees of do-it-yourself online forms. We cannot give you customized advice on your situation or needs, which would require the service of an actual attorney. Any information you provide to Cake, and all communications between you and Cake, are not protected by an attorney-client privilege and are instead governed by our Privacy Policy. Usage of any form or other service on our website is subject to our Terms of Use."

For more information check the website.