Resources

Graceland Cemetery Blog

Explore our blog for valuable content about cremation, burial, how to write an obituary, coping with grief and much more.

Guide to Planning a Funeral

Planning a funeral can be overwhelming after losing a loved one. Graceland’s Complete Guide to Planning a Funeral offers insights to help you make informed decisions.

Funeral Planning, Music

How to Select Music for a Funeral or Memorial Service

There are no "wrong" choices for funeral music. What matters is that it feels true to the person you're honoring—whether that's classical, country, or completely unexpected. How to choose songs that celebrate their life.

Cremation

The Complete Guide to Cremation

Planning a cremation doesn’t have to be complicated. Our guide reveals why cremation is now chosen by more people than ground burial.

Burial

The Complete Guide to Burials

When a loved one passes away, planning the burial can feel overwhelming. Our step-by-step guide simplifies the process, covering plot types and necessary purchases.

After the Funeral, Memorial Service

The Complete Guide to Memorial Services

Planning a memorial service can be challenging during grief. Our Guide to Memorial Services offers support in planning a meaningful tribute.

Etiquette, Funeral

What to Do When You Can’t Attend a Funeral

If you aren't able to attend a funeral, there are meaningful ways to honor your loved one's memory. From sending condolence messages to creating personal rituals, you can still show support. Thoughtful communication can provide comfort to those grieving.

Guidelines, Resources

What to Write in a Sympathy Note

Reading Time: 6 minutes The sympathy note that goes along with a floral arrangement or one that you write in a card you send in the mail has one simple rule, says the Emily Post Institute: Say what you truly feel. Many

Funeral Planning, Guidelines, Resources

How to Write an Obituary: Five Tips

Reading Time: 6 minutes We’ve all read the traditional obituaries packed with the the names, places, people, career highlights that defined a person’s life. And while these examples should make it easy to put pen to paper, when we’re called

Eulogy, Funeral, Funeral Planning

How to Write a Eulogy: 3 Tips for Creating a Heartfelt Tribute

Reading Time: 6 minutes When Steve Jobs’ sister Mona Simpson delivered his eulogy she began with herself, explaining her life before she first met her brother at the age of 25. Mona was raised by a single mother and unaware she had

After the Funeral, Grief

What to Keep, What to Let Go of When a Loved One Dies

Practical strategies for anyone facing the difficult task of deciding what to keep and what to let go of after a loved one dies.

Funeral, Guidelines

What To Wear To A Funeral

Reading Time: 3 minutes With funeral traditions changing so quickly, what to wear has become a very common question. In the 1970s, for example, it was unthinkable not to wear your traditional best to a funeral. Men wore a suit, or jacket

Funeral, Funeral Planning, Guidelines, Resources

Flowers & Their Meanings

Reading Time: 5 minutes You don’t have to be a professional florist to know what flowers to include in your sympathy arrangement. Here is a guide on how to choose sympathy flowers, including types of flowers to send and their

Funeral, Funeral Planning

A Daughter’s Guide to Planning a Funeral

Reading Time: 7 minutes They raised you, provided for you and supported every wish, whim, hope and dream. And now, when it comes to celebrating and commemorating your parent’s life, how do you pull all of the pieces together and both say

Grief, Guidelines, Resources

Helping a Sister Through Grief – A Sister’s Guide

Reading Time: 6 minutes Life changes fast. Life changes in the instant. You sit down to dinner and life as you know it ends. So begins author Joan Didion’s memoir “The Year of Magical Thinking” in which she shares what life and grieving were

Funeral Planning, Grief, Guidelines

Helping a Parent Through Grief: A Daughter’s Guide

Reading Time: 7 minutes When my father died my mother found herself alone for the first time in nearly 60 years. Since meeting at 18 they had done everything together, from college to first jobs to big moves, all underscored by a

Grief, Journaling

The Healing Power of Journaling: Finding Solace and Strength in Writing

Losing someone you love is incredibly challenging, yet it can also be a chance for growth. Journaling is a powerful tool to navigate your feelings; it allows for self-expression and honoring your loss. Writing can clear your mind, reduce stress,

Back-to-School, Grief

When Grief Meets Back-to-School

Back-to-school season is often filled with excitement, but for grieving parents, it can feel like walking through a minefield of emotions. Here are some tips to help you get through.

Grief, Guidelines, Resources

Things to Say to Someone Who’s Grieving

Reading Time: 3 minutes Though we’re all well acquainted with how to celebrate happy occasions with people, sad ones are more fraught with worry. It’s sad, it’s awkward, and it’s hard to know what exactly to say when someone you know experiences

Grief, Guidelines, Resources

Things You Can Do When Someone You Know Suffers a Loss

Reading Time: 4 minutes After a lifetime of helping families with final arrangements, we can tell you that the most frequent questions we get aren’t about headstones, caskets, memorial services, or burials. When people ask those questions, what they really

Grief, Mother's Day

Grief and Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day can be a challenging time for those who have lost a mom or maternal figure. Whether lighting a candle, visiting a special place, or sharing joyful memories, there’s no “right way” to navigate this day.

Father's Day, Grief

The Hidden Grief of Father’s Day

Father’s Day can be a bittersweet occasion for those grieving complex relationships with fathers, stepfathers, or father figures. While the world celebrates with barbecues and tributes, many navigate a landscape filled with conflicting emotions.

Grief, Holidays

How to Support Someone Who’s Grieving During the Holidays

Reading Time: 6 minutes If you have a friend or family member who is grieving during the holidays, it’s important to offer your support in a way that is meaningful and helpful. Here are five specific ways to support someone who is

Grief

7 Ideas to Help You Through Grief at the Holidays

Reading Time: 5 minutes No matter when a death occurs, holidays are particularly difficult to navigate. Holiday memories of past joys are particularly cutting when we are currently grieving. I was reminded of this when I saw a Today Show segment with

Grief, Holidays

A Guide for Coping with Grief at the Holidays

Reading Time: 5 minutes The holidays are traditionally filled with joy and celebration, though for some, it can be a profoundly challenging period, especially if they are coping with the heavy weight of grief. Below are some tips to help you navigate

Grief, Holidays

The First Christmas After a Loss

Reading Time: 6 minutes December is different this year. Different for my husband and his brother and two sisters. Different for my mother-in-law. Different for us. My father-in-law Max passed away in July at 94. Now, we are experiencing all of the

Resources

How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

Reading Time: 7 minutes Whether it’s getting in shape, learning a new skill, or cultivating better habits, setting goals for a new year is a tradition that dates back thousands of years. However, studies show that only a fraction of these resolutions

Funeral Planning, Resources

What to Do First When Someone Dies

When someone you care about dies, the days that follow can feel overwhelming. It’s important to know what to do first, such as getting a legal confirmation of death and reaching out to a funeral home. This guide offers simple

Cremation, Funeral Planning

Which to Choose: Burial or Cremation?

Reading Time: 3 minutes How do you choose between cremation vs. burial? Not sure what you prefer? Here are some things to consider to help you make the best decision. Advantages of Cremation The cremation rate in the U.S. has