Veterans Burial Benefits
Regarding Veterans Burial Benefits, Including Cremation As Director for the San Diego Memorial Society I field the calls that come in to our office. Quite frequently I get the question about veteran's benefits. So I thought I'd put together some information that addresses these questions. Does the Veterans Administration Pay for the Funeral? For a non-service-related death, the VA willRead More →
When Death Occurs While Traveling – Transport Body or Cremains?
When you are a member of the San Diego Memorial Society you are covered while traveling within the United States. That is because the San Diego Memorial Society is a member of the Funeral Consumers Alliance. The goal of Funeral Consumers Alliance is to ensure consumers are fully prepared and protected when planning a funeral for themselves or their loved ones.Read More →
6 Ideas for a Celebration of Life
Why a Celebration of Life Service? A celebration of life will take many forms depending upon the person who is being celebrated. It's very rare that the person being celebrated has planned all the details of this event in advance. In fact, most folks don't do any planning when it comes to their death. They leave those choices to theRead More →
Testimonials from our members
Here are two of the recent testimonials that our members have sent to us: Dearest San Diego Memorial Society Board, I became a member in 2008 as a precautionary measure to declining health. I have lived another decade and was gifted with my husbands presence at your recent Annual Board Meeting. I am writing today to thank you so muchRead More →
TIP – San Diego’s Trauma Intervention Programs
What happens when tragedy strikes? Several times a month I get a call saying, “I’m here with a family and they have just lost their loved one.” I know that family is in good hands, and that I am talking to a TIP volunteer. When a tragedy of any sort happens in San Diego County the TIP (Trauma Intervention Programs)Read More →
With assisted suicide overturned, options can help dignify death
Death cafes, doulas aim to bring comfort in final days With assisted suicide overturned, options can help dignify death By Peter Rowe Anita Neff may not be the last person you’d want to meet, but she may be the person you’d want to meet last. “I’m a death angel,” she said. As an end-of-life doula, Neff sits with the dyingRead More →
Shopping for Funerals & Direct Cremation
Shopping for Funerals by Diccon Hyatt (with comments about Direct Cremation in blue by the staff at San Diego Memorial Society) When it comes to funeral services, the old saying that “you get what you pay for,” couldn’t be further from the truth. For example, Fertig Funeral Home in Mullica Hill will perform a “direct cremation” service for $525 plus aRead More →
What Shall We Do With the Ashes?
What Shall We Do With the Ashes (Cremains)? by David Brown When a person has selected cremation and that process has been carried out, the ashes have a volume roughly that of a five pound sack of sugar plus a bit more. The bone fragments are pulverized to about kitty litter texture. Depending on the fuel and temperature used, theyRead More →
What do I do when someone dies?
If a death occurs in San Diego County follow these guidelines: What do I do when someone dies? #1 Notify the Proper Authorities At Home or at Work When someone dies at home or at work, emergency medical personnel must be contacted, and the death must be reported, usually by calling 911. The San Diego Corner's Office (858) 694-2895 will determine if theRead More →
San Diego Funerals – Common Funeral Myths
Are you wondering about San Diego Funerals and common funeral myths? Embalming is required by law. Embalming is NEVER required for the first 24 hours. In many states, it’s not required at all under any circumstances. Refrigeration is almost always an alternative to embalming if there will be a delay before final disposition. Embalming protects the public health. There isRead More →
Death in One State, Burial in Another – Body Transport After Death
Body transport after death does not need to be complicated. Read this article for details on how to get it done.
How to Help Grieving People
What You Can Do? What You Can Say? Relatives, friends and neighbors are supportive at the time of a death, during the wake and funeral. Food, flowers and physical presence are among the many thoughtful expressions. After the funeral, however, you can help grieving people as they move forward. This is when they need it most. They need your supportRead More →
Should I Prepay For My Funeral?
What is "Preneed" or "Prepay Funeral Expenses? "Preneed" is a term coined by the funeral industry to describe the arrangement and payment of a funeral prior to death. Obviously, if you are to have any say in it, you must plan in advance of your death and consider the option of a prepay funeral. "Pre-arrangement" is also used interchangeably withRead More →
Twelve Reasons Why People Spend Too Much on Funerals
It's easy to spend too much on funerals... Here's why: 1. Fulfilling the role of grieving "helplessness." Many people feel so devastated and overwhelmed at a time of death that they assume they should leave all funeral planning to the funeral director. Said one mortician, "That's like giving the funeral director a blank check." Being actively involved in funeral planning canRead More →
Simple Burial and Cremation Information
History of the "traditional" funeral and simple burial practices In early America, home funerals were the practice everywhere, and each community had a group of women who came in to help with the "laying out of the dead." Visitation was held in the front parlor followed by a procession to the church and cemetery. At the time of the CivilRead More →
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If you are trying to learn all you can about burial and cremation services in San Diego County you have found the right place. While this is not complete, we will add to this list of burial and cremation information for our members. Please visit often.