Blog

Exploring destination funerals and ash scattering as alternative funeral arrangements, including the legal realities of scattering at sea, in national parks, and beyond.

Spring in New Hampshire feels like a return. After a long winter, roads clear, families travel again, and being outside starts to feel possible. For many families, this is when a service finally happens. We’ve been told this again and again. A loss in the winter. Plans are delayed because of weather, travel, or simplyRead more

Key Takeaways for Help Paying for a Funeral There are several ways to get help paying for a funeral in NH and VT, including crowdfunding, CareCredit financing, and Phaneuf Family Foundation assistance. The Phaneuf Family Foundation offers up to $1,000 in financial aid for qualifying families in need. CareCredit provides instant approval and flexible paymentRead more

Modern grief experts emphasize that a child’s age shouldn’t be the sole factor in deciding whether they should attend a funeral. Instead, it’s important to consider the child’s maturity, behavior, emotional state, relationship to the deceased and willingness to participate. Allow them to make the choice and honor their decision. Forcing them to go, orRead more

Planning a funeral reception can feel overwhelming, especially during a time of grief. The reception, however, is a meaningful opportunity to bring loved ones together to honor and celebrate the life of the departed. Whether you’re making arrangements after a loss or planning ahead, this guide will walk you through the key considerations for creatingRead more

Funerals aren’t fun. They aren’t like other social events where friends and family gather to celebrate. They are often awkward, as both those who are immediately impacted and those who come to honor the deceased and pay respects to the living are most vulnerable. But when you’re asking yourself, “Should I go to the funeral?”Read more

The task of planning a funeral or memorial service is undeniably overwhelming for many—largely because it’s an endeavor seldom undertaken in one’s lifetime. The question, “How long does it take to plan a funeral?” is complex and has no one-size-fits-all answer. t depends on individual circumstances and the emotional context in which the planning occurs.Read more

In today’s world, where distance often separates families during critical life events, the inability to attend a loved one’s funeral due to geographical or financial constraints can be deeply distressing. “It pains me that I can’t be there for grandpa’s funeral. But I live 1,500 miles away and a flight to get me there inRead more

An open casket funeral offers a profoundly personal moment for family and friends to say their final goodbyes to a loved one. It serves as a tangible farewell, providing comfort to those grieving by allowing them one last opportunity to see their loved one before burial or cremation. At Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, discussingRead more

As the U.S. undergoes a profound transformation in its approach to death and mourning, the movement toward death positivity is reshaping traditional norms. This cultural shift away from denial and towards an open embrace of the end of life reflects a society increasingly seeking personalized, meaningful ways to say goodbye. The openness to nontraditional funeralsRead more