Posted on December 26, 2011
Funeral webcasting bundles the technology and funeral software to allow grieving family and friends to attend a funeral online from anywhere in the world.
When a loved one passes away, it is an exceptionally stressful time for the bereaved. Paying last respects to a friend or family member can mean so much to those that are in mourning. However, in today's world, it is not always possible to attend a funeral in person.
Funeral software and technology advances have changed the funeral industry forever. Now the bereaved have the option of attending an online funeral. As long as the bereaved have access to the internet, funeral webcasting allows them to be able to view a funeral or memorial service from anywhere in the world.
To implement funeral webcasting, a death care professional just needs to have a video camera, a microphone, and a computer with internet access to record and stream the funeral service live. As the memorial service is being broadcast online, it can be recorded as well. Doing this, a family can opt to have the recording burned to a DVD so that they can re-watch it later. the funeral professional can edit the video, add an intro and ending and include any additional information screens to completely customize the DVD.
Those that were unable to view the funeral online live, can also watch it on-demand at a later point in time. This feature is unique in that it allows the bereaved to pay their last respects, see family and friends and in their own way, "be there" for the life celebration even if they were unable to attend in person.
Before funeral webcasting, if a loved one passed away and family or friends were sick, away on business, deployed in another country for military service or simply didn't have the financial means to travel, they were unable to have any part of the service. Sure, they could send cards or flowers, but there was a hole in grieving process. They missed out on the connection and support of their family and friends. Funeral webcasting helps fill this hole.
A funeral marketing and consulting company that specializes in funeral software can recommend the proper equipment and provide the funeral software to ensure maximum quality and simplicity of integration. This company has spent years developing and perfecting the funeral software behind their funeral webcasting solution to ensure client families can view a high quality and customizable online funeral.
Implementing funeral webcasting allows a low cost, high quality funeral service that transmits video and audio via the internet in a secure and private manner. It is an excellent new funeral technology that provides additional comfort and support for client families as well as an additional revenue stream for the funeral professional. It is also easy to set up and has an intuitive, menu-driven interface that even a computer novice can implement.
The best place on the web to learn more about attending a funeral online and funeral webcasting software is Frazer Consultants. This company has a solid reputation of developing high performing and reliable technology for the death care industry. They also have a beautiful selection of funeral keepsakes and holiday remembrance ornaments.
Posted on December 25, 2011
After a loved relative or pet dies, many people decide to honor the deceased by planting a memorial garden. Unfortunately for some, what starts out as a noble endeavor can often end in a frustrating and costly experience. Common mistakes that novice gardeners make in planning a memorial garden include, but are not limited to;
- Planning too large a garden resulting in expensive and time consuming upkeep
- Not properly preparing the garden soil
- Buying plants and flowers which are high maintenance and/or which are unsuitable for the sun and shade available in the area chosen
- Not planting at the proper depth
- Purchasing plants based on price
- Improper watering
Does this mean that all novice gardeners should abandon their hopes of constructing a memorial garden? No, but by following a few simple steps anyone can plan a garden that will be easy to maintain serves as a dignified tribute in honor of the deceased.
1. DOWNSIZE: What would be a better tribute to the deceased? A large plot of land littered with weeds and dehydrated plants, or a much smaller area with fewer, but healthier flowers in bloom? The mini memorial garden is not just limited to a piece of land, but can be constructed on a porch, deck or even in a window flower box.
2. USE POTTED PLANTS: The best way for the gardening impaired among us is to successfully maintain plants and flowers through the use decorative pots and planters. Most home improvement stores have a wide variety of such containers, some of which may have self watering features which will make tending to the mini garden all the more easier. If desired, the pots can be inserted into a hole dug into the ground. Of course, if this method is used, the pots must be removed from time to time and the plants repotted into larger containers. Pot stands should also be considered as they can provide an appealing visual contrast for the memorial.
3. USE A SIZE APPROPRIATE MEMORIAL CENTERPIECE: A large centerpiece such as a memorial bench is not necessarily a good choice for a mini garden as it will require a large space to accommodate it as well as any surrounding foliage. Better choices would be smaller centerpieces such as wind chimes, memorial markers, or engraved memorial stones.
4. REFERENCE MATERIAL: Choose a gardening book specific to your area. Water requirements, plant depth, and sun requirements will all be available for reference.
The mini memorial garden has the advantage of being able to be set up almost anywhere on a piece of property including indoors. The only limitation as to placement will be the sunlight requirements of the plants used. Such information is usually available on a tag attached to a plant purchased at any home improvement store, or on the internet.
Begin the mini memorial garden by placing the centerpiece in the area you have chosen and surround it with only a few potted plants at first. You may need a trial period to determine what plants will thrive in the area chosen. If a plant does not stay healthy, or naturally reaches the end of its life cycle if it is an annual, replacing the potted plants will be much easier than replacing those planted in a larger, traditional garden.
Posted on December 24, 2011
When a loved one passes away and is cremated, family and friends might wish to honor the memory of the deceased by finding a final resting place that is either unique to the interests of the loved one or that is a reminder to the family of the life and accomplishments of the dearly departed. Often, the family will scatter the ashes out into the ocean or place them in an urn above the fireplace, but there are some other unique options as well.
For those family members who wish to keep a relic of their loved one after they are gone, there are many interesting ways to create unique reminders of those who have passed away. One such option is to place the cremation remains into an hourglass. Because cremated remains are close to the consistency of sand, the cremation ash can be used in a functioning hourglass. This arrangement for the final resting place of a loved one can be both creative and symbolic. Another interesting option is to have the ashes pressed into a record. The record not only contains the remnant of the deceased but can also hold a recording of the voice of the loved one and serve as a way to remember the person who has passed away. One option that has recently been growing in popularity is to have the ashes made into a diamond. Because cremated ashes are composed of carbon and diamonds are also made of carbon, loved ones can be made into this precious gem and incorporated into a piece of jewelry to be worn by a family member. Cremation ashes can also be made into glass, which can be used in jewelry or as a decorative piece. Another way of saving cremation ashes is to incorporate them into a work of art by combining the cremains with paint. The painting can then be hung as a creative tribute to the loved one that has been lost.
However, if the deceased loved one was insistent on being scattered, there are unique ways in which that can be accomplished as well. Skydivers can be hired to release the ashes when they are falling through the air or a family member can opt to do it himself. There are also companies who will put the cremated remains into a capsule and release them into outer space. One way to send your loved one off with a bang is to incorporate the cremated ashes into fireworks and have a memorial service with family and friends where they can be set off in a beautiful display.
However, there are regulations on what can and can't be done with cremation ashes. Please first contact your funeral director or the crematorium to make sure that you are not violating any state laws.
The death of a loved one is always difficult, but fortunately there are many unique ways in which a family can arrange for the deceased to be honored and remembered.