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Was grandma an avid gardener? Did your brother travel the world as a bird watcher? Here are three tips on incorporating nature into a loved one’s memorial or funeral service.

We live in a hyper-connected time. The internet age developed fairly quickly from a human history perspective, and some of us may feel a bit behind the times when it comes to what is appropriate to say or do online when a person has passed away. Here are some tips for using social media and other online tools while organizing a funeral and grieving.

Victorian culture adored the symbolic meaning of flowers with many books on the topic published during this era. A flower bouquet could convey very precise and meaningful messages of love, devotion, and even sorrow. People might find comfort today in knowing these extra meanings when selecting flowers for a grieving friend or family.

Many people are looking for more natural ways to say farewell to a loved one; methods that are beautiful and meaningful but do not harm the earth. As more people choose cremation, they also are looking for products to help them disperse ashes in simple, easy ways. Although you may not have heard of them, natural products to help with scattering ashes are available and are referred to as biodegradable urns.

Bringing food to a family that has lost a loved one is a long practiced tradition. So much so that there are recipes such as Funeral Potatoes, a dish well-known to people of the midwest as the “go to” casserole to make for bereaved families. Many who have experienced a loss comment that the simple act of dropping off meals was welcomed and deeply appreciated.

A life celebration -- rather than a traditional, more somber funeral -- is a fairly new idea. Often more like a party, a life celebration may include the person’s favorite music and food and incorporate his or her interests. Today’s families often try to create a tribute as unique as the person being remembered. These popular themes for life celebrations may inspire you.