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It may seem morbid to plan ahead for your passing. But giving the loved ones you trust most a sense of direction about your funeral wishes can be a gift in and of itself.

Today, an increasing number of people are planning their own funerals or memorial services. They may also designate their funeral preferences in detail and sometimes even pay for funeral ceremony in advance.

It is an unpleasant thought, but death is a reality we all must face. One way to cope with the loss of a loved one is to be prepared for their final send-off. Funerals are expensive. For Medicaid recipients and their families, it is unlikely they will have the money to cover them when the time comes.

When an individual passes away without a funeral plan, responsibility for arranging the funeral often falls on the deceased’s close family members, such as surviving spouses and children. Planning your own funeral arrangements can assist your loved ones in an emotionally challenging time, while also protecting them from incurring extraneous costs.

Handling the decedent's final affairs. When a family member passes away, there are some important papers and information that must be gathered. The smart way to address the issue is to gather the papers beforehand and have assistance from an estate planning attorney, according to The Balance...

Meryl Streep had little time to prepare for her role, but gave a truly fine performance. Nora Ephron, author of many fine films, turned out to be an expert when it came to planning her “exit” with detail, according to Next Avenue in “What Nora Ephron Can Teach Us About Planning a Funeral.”

How do you get organized and create a plan that helps your family, when you pass away? A California woman has organized a program that brings people together in a social gathering to discuss  and consider their own death at some point in the future, according to NPR Weekend Edition...

The traditional methods for burial of remains are still in place.  However, there are also “green” options. Different cultures are beginning to rethink the process of funerals for people. Some are turning to an “environmentally friendly” way, according to The New York Times ...

Funeral home director says it is standard practice to protect coffin from the cold. A family in Australia is suing a funeral home for swapping coffins from an expensive model to a less expensive one prior to transfer to a crematorium, according to Fox News in "Funeral Home swapped $1,700 coffin ...

The cremated remains of an Arizona woman's father were stolen off her porch, after the package containing them was left there by a postal worker.

A man in Wisconsin has signed up for himself, his wife and their three sons to all be cryogenically frozen after they pass away, according to the Daily Mail.

Coffin clubs are being formed to work toward making funerals less somber and less boring, according to Market Watch in "Want to spice up your own funeral? Join a coffin club."

Marriage, divorce and remarriage sparks debate on veteran's burial site. A veteran of World War II recently passed away. Now two widows are fighting over where he should be buried.

People can give the remains of their loved ones to companies that will cremate a small portion to give to the families and sell the rest to researchers. However, that market is poorly regulated.