Karen Roldan, Author at US Urns Online

Do Funeral Homes Keep Fingerprints On File?

October 31, 2024October 24, 2023 by Karen Roldan

Law enforcement agencies aren’t the only ones interested in fingerprints. But if not for identity purposes or required by state law, why would anyone want …

Pet Cremation Costs: What to Expect & How to Save

September 24, 2024October 9, 2023 by Karen Roldan

Pet cremation is becoming the go-to choice when a beloved pet passes. After all, most pets are part of the family, and we want to treat them that way even in death.

As this service becomes more popular, it also becomes more affordable to the “average” person. Many funeral homes offer pet cremation, though they may not list it in their regular brochure. But you can rest assured your human loved one is never cremated in the same receptacle that your beloved pet is. Funeral homes actually outsource pet cremations to a third party.

Read on to learn more about cremating your pet and the ins and outs of making this decision.

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15 Things You Should Never Do When Someone Dies

October 31, 2024October 9, 2023 by Karen Roldan

When a loved one dies, it can be such a stressful and lonely time. There are so many decisions to be made, and none of them will be easy.

When you’ve just gone through a life changing ordeal, you don’t want to make any sudden and potentially bad choices that could affect the rest of your life negatively.

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Can You Wear Jeans To A Funeral? How To Make Jeans Work

September 18, 2023September 18, 2023 by Karen Roldan

Jeans are a staple in most people’s wardrobes. People spend anywhere from $20.00 – $300.00 on a nice pair of jeans, and they expect to be able to wear them to most functions. Especially in recent years.

Jeans are also acceptable to wear to the office at many companies (not just on “casual Friday.”)

I’ve even heard of funeral homes that allow the funeral director to dress in a nice pair of jeans and a collared shirt for the guys, and an appropriate blouse for the ladies.

Prolonged Grief: 10 Things to Know When You Feel Stuck

September 24, 2024September 17, 2023 by Karen Roldan

Today we are going to address prolonged grief. Grief is one of the hardest journeys you will ever go on, and it is even harder when you feel trapped in an overwhelming sense of sadness for a very long time.

We will all walk the path of grief at least once in our lives. Whether you lose a loved one or a beloved pet, a job, a friendship, or whether going through a breakup or some other type of loss, grief is inevitable.

Have you ever felt stuck along the way? How do you get out of that “rut”? Can you recover from grief when it just seems hopeless?

I will be answering these questions and more. Continue to read and learn about prolonged grief and how to work through it.

A Funeral Director Explains the Funeral Process

September 24, 2024September 13, 2023 by Karen Roldan

Here’s how to plan a funeral, step by step.

I am a funeral director. I have been in the funeral industry for 15 years, and have planned hundreds of funerals.

These events have ranged from very simple funerals to incredibly over-the-top “celebrations.” I have dealt with all kinds of families – the ones that get along to the ones that want to throw punches in the arrangement office.

And I have loved every minute of my job.

So continue reading to discover what goes into the the funeral process, one step at a time.

Example Wording for Memorial Donations & Funeral Fundraisers

December 7, 2023September 12, 2023 by Karen Roldan

Asking for donations after a death can be awkward. So today, we’re partnering with the leading (free!) funeral crowdfunding sites to show you the best way to ask for donations for a funeral.

There’s been a death in the family, and you find yourself making funeral arrangements. You want to do it well, but you know there is going to be a financial burden.

Perhaps the death was sudden and unexpected, or perhaps you simply don’t have the resources to cover the costs of the funeral.

What do you do?

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Here’s How Long the Funeral Home Can Hold the Body

October 31, 2024September 11, 2023 by Karen Roldan

How long can the funeral home hold the body? This is a question that is asked often and for various reasons.

Every family’s circumstances will look different at the time of their loved one’s death. Some may be prepared for it, while others are sadly not.

They may not have had time to make decisions like whether to cremate or have a traditional burial. To have a graveside funeral service, celebration of life, home funeral, or wake.

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How Does Pet Cremation Work? What You Need to Know

December 14, 2023September 4, 2023 by Karen Roldan

When it comes to cremating your beloved fur baby, you want to know the ins and outs of how pet cremation services work.

Is cremation the right choice? How much does it cost? What’s the process like? Is there a certain type of cremation that is best? How long does it take? Are they really my pet’s ashes that I get back?

How to Donate Your Body to Science (and What Happens)

September 24, 2024August 27, 2023 by Karen Roldan

Organ donation is very common in the United States. Families find it comforting to know that their loved ones “live on” by saving or helping the life of someone else.

Body donation is different. Not just some organs, but the whole body is dedicated to scientific research. People don’t discuss body donation as often, yet almost anyone can donate their body to science.

Have you or a loved one ever considered whole body donation and what it entails?
How do you become a body donor?
What if you are ill – can you still donate your body?
Is there an age limit to body donation?

If you or a loved one has had these questions, this article is for you. Read on to learn how to donate your body to science, and what happens when you do so.

Embalming: Is It Right for You or Your Loved One?

September 24, 2024August 9, 2023 by Karen Roldan

If you’re faced with planning a funeral, at some point the embalming question is going to come up. What, exactly, is involved in the embalming process, and how can you decide if it’s the right choice?

We’re going to talk about everything you need to know about embalming: the purpose and method of the procedure, the chemicals used, the reason it’s done, the cost, and the pros and cons.

Let’s jump in.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Hearses

August 8, 2023 by Karen Roldan

Hearses are vehicles that take people for their final ride. That’s one of the the most straightforward answers we can give, anyway.

Everyone has questions about the death industry, and it’s perfectly natural to wonder about macabre curiosities (and sometimes practical necessities) such as hearses.

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