Month: February 2023

Getting your loved one laid to rest can be one of the most stressful tasks in life. However, by making informed decisions and comparing prices and services, you can help ease the pain for your family.

A funeral bureau is an organization that regulates the practice of embalming, funeral directing and other funeral services. It also handles licenses and registration of funeral establishments, investigates consumer/provider complaints and oversees continuing education requirements for licensed funeral directors and embalmers.

Becoming a funeral arranger

The funeral industry is a challenging yet rewarding industry to work in. It requires people who are compassionate, empathetic and understanding.

A funeral arranger, sometimes referred to as a mortician or undertaker, is responsible for arranging and directing individual funeral services. They perform tasks such as coordinating transportation of the body, interviewing family or other authorized person to arrange details, selecting pallbearers and aiding with the selection of officials for religious rites.

In addition to performing these duties, a funeral arranger also provides information to families and friends about legal documents, such as death certificates or burial permits. They also liaise with other third parties to plan floral tributes, catering and transport arrangements for clients.

In order to become a licensed funeral arranger, you typically need an associate degree in mortuary science and one to three years of formal training under the direction of a licensed funeral director. You may also be required to take continuing education courses to maintain your license.

Education requirements

If you’re interested in a career where you can make a difference during some of the most difficult times in people’s lives, a mortuary science degree may be right for you. You’ll gain a variety of skills, including business management and administration.

In many states, you’ll need to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in mortuary science and then obtain a license from your state. This usually takes between 1.5-2 years to complete, and you’ll also need to do a one- to three-year apprenticeship.

You’ll need to attend a mortuary science or funeral service program that’s accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Most programs have a mixture of in-person and online classes. Most also require that you intern in person before you become licensed to work as a mortician.

Certifications

To become a funeral arranger, you typically need a combination of education and licensure. This varies by state, but in general you must earn an associate degree from a community college or mortuary school accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education and pass a state or national exam.

In addition, you must complete an apprenticeship, which may last one year or more. This training is usually done under the supervision of a licensed funeral arranger, and it helps you gain practical experience.

Many states also require funeral arrangers to take continuing education classes to stay up to date on new trends and regulations. These classes often include ethics, helping people cope with grief and customer service.

Some funeral arrangers seek certification to enhance their career prospects. For example, the NFDA offers the Certified Funeral Arrangement Consultant (CFC) program, which teaches skills in presentation, ceremonial writing and unique ways to incorporate readings and music. The American Institute of Health Care Professionals offers a Grief Counselor certification, which is ideal for those who want to help others understand their loss and mourn in a healthy way.

Employment outlook

Overall employment of funeral service workers is projected to grow 8 percent over the next ten years, faster than the average for all occupations. About 7,900 openings are expected each year on average over the decade.

Demand for this career is expected to be strong as the aging population increases. Also, an increasing number of baby boomers choose to prearrange their end-of-life services.

As a funeral arranger, your job duties include coordinating the transportation of bodies to the mortuary and providing other assistance during a funeral or burial. You may interview family members to obtain information about their wishes for the funeral, select pallbearers, and help with religious rites.

The salary for this occupation ranges from about $45,000 to $83,000 annually. The amount of experience you have and the location you work in can influence your earnings.

Graveyards are burial grounds that are affiliated with a church. They tend to be smaller, and often fewer people can be buried in them.

The word “graveyard” is derived from the proto-Germanic word “graban” which means to dig. It is also related to the word “groove”.

Cemeteries are a place of final resting

A cemetery is a place set apart for burial or entombment of the dead. They are shaped to reflect geography, religious beliefs, social attitudes, and aesthetic and sanitary considerations.

The landscape of cemeteries can change over time. The older versions of cemeteries were characterized by a more lush landscape with lots of flowers, trees, and monuments.

Today, people tend to choose a cemetery that is close to home and in a location that they are comfortable visiting. They also want their final resting place to be a place that is well maintained, secure, and private.

In the past, public gatherings were common in cemeteries, and people would often have picnics there. These activities were banned in many places as epidemics and overcrowding caused problems.

They are a place of worship

A churchyard is a patch of land that adjoins or surrounds a particular place of worship. In Christian countries this can refer to both a church and a burial ground.

However, in many places the word graveyard is used to refer to a cemetery which does not adjoin a specific church. This is because the churchyard was a place where families could bury their loved ones, while cemeteries were more modern burial grounds that were separate from the church.

Throughout the history of mankind, providing a burial site for the dead has been a common practice. The ancient Hebrews, for example, hewed oblong recesses lengthwise into rock temples to allow their dead to be laid to rest.

They are a place of healing

Visiting a graveyard is a ritual that can help families heal after the loss of a loved one. It allows them to remember and reflect on their loved one while also allowing them to take some time for themselves.

A graveyard is usually a part of church property where people are buried. This is because it was a common practice in many different cultures for families to be buried together.

However, this is changing and a lot of people are choosing to be buried on their own. This means that the word cemetery is used more often to describe independent burial grounds.

The word cemetery comes from Greek koimeterion, which means “a sleeping place.” Early Christians used this term to describe their own burial grounds. In contrast, pagan culture referred to cemeteries as nekropolis, or “a city of the dead.”

They are a place of celebration

During the day-honored Appalachian tradition of Decoration Day, mountain people gather at their family cemeteries to clean and prepare the graves of their loved ones. The graves are then decorated with fresh flowers and personal mementos to keep them alive in the community.

In some countries, cemetery sites are festival places on special occasions set aside to honor the dead. They may be simple or elaborate and are sometimes regarded as holy fields or taboo areas.

Churches sponsored most of these graveyards, but as population growth began to outpace them in the 18th century, new places for burial were created independent of churchyards. These sites became known as cemeteries, from the Greek koimeterion (sleeping place).

Whether a cemetery is designed for an individual, a family or a community, there are certain guidelines that must be adhered to. Cohesive planning, optimization of land utilization and long term sustainability are some of the key considerations in designing a cemetery.

The cemetery serves as the meeting place between life and death. Its design must embrace a wide variety of cultures, beliefs and lifestyles. It can also be an avenue for personal expression and a space for enduring remembrance.

Landscape Architecture

The field of landscape architecture is a synthesis of design, construction and management skills. This includes the application of landscape aesthetics, environmental design and social science to create spaces that improve amenities, add beauty, support the environment, and increase social health, safety and welfare.

Landscape architects can practice on large estate properties or small urban courtyards, and they have a wide range of specialties. For example, some specialize in natural burial sites.

Cemetery Design is a special form of landscaping that uses nature as its primary design element, and it often takes a lot of thought to come up with a space that is both beautiful and meaningful. This is why many landscape designers focus on blending organic forms, materials and textures into their designs.

Hardscapes

The design of cemetery landscapes includes a wide range of hardscape features. Some are decorative, while others are functional, such as reducing stormwater runoff or lowering maintenance costs.

Often, hardscapes are also the first step in creating an attractive outdoor scape. These elements can also increase the value of a property, especially if it is for sale.

The development of a cemetery master plan is essential to the long-term success of a cemetery. Hilton Landmarks can provide a roadmap that will guide your cemetery to fiscal sustainability and enhance your community’s understanding of the services and products you offer.

Softscapes

When designing a cemetery landscape, softscapes are an important part of the overall plan. They can help reduce weeds and improve soil quality while also providing habitat for beneficial wildlife.

These elements are also a great way to make the cemetery look more beautiful. They can provide a place for flowering trees, shrubs, and flowers to bloom.

While it’s never easy to bid a loved one goodbye, cemeteries can be a place where families can reflect and share memories with their lost ones. It is important to design these spaces in a manner that will create a meaningful connection between the deceased and their families.

There are many different types of cemeteries, reflecting cultural and religious traditions. But no matter the style, they are all designed with the same goal: to honor the dead and create a lasting memorial for the living.

Lighting

Lighting is a critical element of any cemetery design, and there are several options for illumination. One of the most popular options is solar-powered lights.

Lights in a cemetery can be used to help highlight the landscape and the people who are buried there. They can also be used to illuminate monuments and memorials.

They can be a great way to honor your loved one and can make it easier for visitors to find their graves during the night. However, you should check with cemetery officials before placing these decorations on a grave.

In some cases, cemetery officials will prohibit the installation of memorials on a gravesite. This is because the cemetery staff needs to maintain the grounds, and this is more difficult when flowers, flags, and windchimes are placed on a grave site.

Signage

Signs in a cemetery setting can be a very important part of the design process. They can help people understand what is going on, set the rules of conduct, and remind visitors to be respectful.

They can also provide information about the burial sites themselves and other resources related to a cemetery or memorial park. These can include entrance signs, directional signage, cemetery rules signs, memorial plaques, personalized memorial benches, and maps of the park.

While there are no specific standards for the creation of directional and identification signs indicating Jewish heritage sites or cemeteries in western Ukraine, some standard practices for road signs may apply. These include the use of standardized symbols, sizes, shapes, and colors that are recognizable to drivers from a distance and intelligible regardless of their native language.

Cemeteries are a place of final resting for those who have passed away. They have been a part of culture and society since the beginning of human history.

Visits to cemeteries can be a moving experience. They can also teach us about our lineage and mortality.

Modern day cemeteries

Modern day cemeteries typically employ a full-time staff of caretakers to maintain and operate the facilities. Many also use state-of-the-art management technologies, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), to provide accurate maps and plans of monuments and infrastructure.

The United States has an estimated 20,272 registered cemeteries, a number that excludes unmarked graves and pet cemeteries, as well as natural graves used by Native Americans. Even though cemeteries aren’t always open to the public, they play a significant role in our society.

However, poor cemetery planning can have a real impact on our environment. For example, placing cemeteries on low-lying land may increase the risk of flooding and contaminate nearby water sources with trace elements from embalmed bodies and caskets.

Monuments and memorials

Monuments and memorials are a way to honor someone who has passed. Often, they are made of stone and can include a headstone or a marker.

A marker is a flat stone that can be read while standing on the ground and will usually contain basic information, such as name and date of death. They are a lot cheaper than the more extensive upright monuments and can be placed flush with the ground or on a foundation above ground.

In addition, they are easier to maintain than more elaborate memorials and can be removed by cemetery grounds crews.

Monuments can be constructed of granite, marble or bronze and come in different shapes and sizes depending on the needs of the family. Generally, they are engraved with the deceased’s name and sometimes an epitaph, as well.

Burial plots

Burial plots are often one of the first decisions people make after losing a loved one. These decisions may have a profound impact on your family for generations to come, so it’s important to do your research before making any decision.

Choosing the right burial plot is a serious and personal choice, so it’s best to do it with someone you trust. They can provide emotional support, help you think through the options and guide you through the process.

When looking for a burial plot, it’s also important to check the cemetery’s bylaws. These will detail their policies on issues such as reselling the plot if plans change, transferring ownership of the deed to a different property or what monuments are allowed on site.

Buying a burial plot can be a difficult process, and it’s not uncommon for people to feel confused or overwhelmed. Visiting the site with a friend or relative can help you deal with these emotions and address any aspects of the site you may not have thought about.

Records

Cemetery records can be a treasure trove of information for family history, genealogy, and historical research. They can help you learn the names and dates of birth, death, burials, obituaries, gravestones, military service, marriages, relationships, and other important details.

The location of cemeteries can also be a key factor in family research, as many of them were placed in areas that have changed ownership numerous times. If you can find a map, you can often determine who owns the land where the cemetery is located.

If you cannot locate a map, contact the County Assessor or Recorder for property lines. This will give you the owner of the cemetery, as well as other vital information such as where the plots are buried.

A memorial park is a place of memorial to specific people or events. It is a place where one can remember past times, and it may also be a gathering space for the community.

There are many memorial parks throughout the world. This article will explore some of them and give a brief history of how they came to be.

History

Memorial park has a fascinating history. Originally known as the “golf grounds,” the land was purchased in 1918 after the war ended, and was used for memorials to the men and women of Allen County who gave their lives in service of their country.

One of the earliest monuments in the park was the “Life” sculpture, a bronze statue that pays tribute to Allen County’s soldiers killed during World War I. The statue is surrounded by a fountain and was unveiled in 1922 by two young girls.

Extensive research was conducted for the master plan of Memorial Park to understand how the site’s cultural imprint and native ecology can evolve over time. The final design is rooted in this research and will create a resilient park connected to the site’s diverse native ecology and cultural and historic past.

Memorials

Memorial parks are a unique way to honor your loved one and provide visitors with a place of peace and quietude for reflection. Unlike traditional cemeteries, they use dignified sculptured bronze markers lying flat on landscaped plots to memorialize a grave.

They allow you to create a unique memorial that is personal and meaningful to your family. Often, they are shaped or engraved to reflect what was special about your loved one and to pay tribute to their life.

This memorial tells a story about the SS Muskogee, which was hit by a German submarine torpedo and lost many Merchant Mariners. Sculptor Eva Escobar used a photograph that Captain Reinhard Hardegen took to create this mesmerizing tableau.

It is a testament to the emotional impact of war, and evokes an empty-inside feeling that most soldiers know well. It is also a heart-rending remembrance for the families that miss their loved ones.

Tribute in Light

The twin beams of light rise up each year from lower Manhattan to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks and celebrate the unbreakable spirit of New York City. Assembled on the roof of the Battery Parking Garage south of the 9/11 Memorial, they reach up to four miles into the sky and are comprised of eighty-eight 7,000-watt xenon lightbulbs positioned into two 48-foot squares, echoing the shape and orientation of the Twin Towers.

The tribute is produced by Michael Ahern Production Services, and takes a team of 40 stagehands and electricians working closely for more than a week. The tribute is funded by donations from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation and other donors.

The Tribute in Light was conceived independently by numerous artists and designers. They were brought together under the auspices of the Municipal Art Society and Creative Time to form a collaborative project. Architects John Bennett, Gustavo Bonevardi and Richard Nash Gould, and lighting designer Paul Marantz collaborated on the design of the installation.

Land Bridge and Prairie

The Land Bridge and Prairie at memorial park reconnects the north and south halves of Houston’s largest urban wilderness and recreation park, offering new trails and a dynamic community space to explore. Together, the project offers enhanced active and passive recreational opportunities alongside unmatched views of downtown and uptown skylines.

A key component of the Memorial Park Master Plan, this project was fast-tracked in 2018 with a $70 million lead gift from Kinder Foundation. Developed by Nelson Byrd Woltz, the concept for the Land Bridge and Prairie was designed to take special consideration of Houston’s history, people and land.

The tunnel system below the two hills will divert traffic and allow hikers, cyclists and wildlife to safely cross Memorial Drive without interacting with road traffic. The resulting earthen-covered structure enables visitors to enjoy expansive vistas of the prairie and surrounding green spaces, and effectively diminishes traffic noise.