What is an End of Life Vigil

What is an End of Life Vigil

A vigil is defined as a period of time when an individual or a group remains in a place and waits, prays, etc.  An end of life vigil is when an individual or group stays with a person during their last hours.  While many hospitals and hospices often have vigil...
How to Sell High Value Items Through an Auction House

How to Sell High Value Items Through an Auction House

An auction is an event where property or goods are sold to a group of competitive bidders.  As auctions are open to the public, there is often a wide range of bids, with bidders competing to win the items of his or her choosing.  Consequently, items sold at auction...
How to Transport Your Loved One’s Body After They Pass

How to Transport Your Loved One’s Body After They Pass

Transporting your loved one’s body after he or she passes away may mean a short ride across the city to a funeral home or it may mean a trip across the world.  Transporting human remains is becoming more commonplace in our global society.  Many individuals want...
What is an Estate Sale

What is an Estate Sale

In its essence, an estate sale is large garage sale, one in which the majority of one’s assets are sold at the same time.  Most estate sales happen after an individual has passed away.  However, they are also useful when an individual is downsizing. Keys to...
What is Shiva

What is Shiva

Shiva is the first structured period of mourning in the Judaism religion.  In Hebrew, the word ‘shiva’ means ‘seven’.  Therefore, shiva, in terms of Jewish mourning, is a seven-day mourning period observed by close family members of the...
What is a Trust Company

What is a Trust Company

A trust company is a legal corporation that acts as an agent, fiduciary, or trustee for an individual or business in order to administer, manage, and eventually transfer any assets to the beneficiary.  The word ‘trust’ in the name trust company refers to...
What are the Largest Tax Implications of an Inheritance

What are the Largest Tax Implications of an Inheritance

Losing a loved one is always incredibly difficult, and the grieving process is long and complicated.  However, one bright spot can be receiving an inheritance.  It is important to remember, though, that there are possible tax implications related to an inheritance. ...
What is a Death Doula

What is a Death Doula

A death doula is non-medical individual who is trained to care for others at the end of life.  He or she provides holistic care in terms of the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual realms.  Death doulas are also known as end-of-life coaches, death...
What to Expect at a Jewish Funeral

What to Expect at a Jewish Funeral

Are you attending a Jewish funeral for the first time?  Would you like to have an idea of what to expect?  While the customs of the different streams of Judaism are often unique, there are some central concepts common to all of the Jewish faith. Order of the Service...
Where Should I Hold my Loved One’s Funeral

Where Should I Hold my Loved One’s Funeral

Unfortunately, we all face the inevitability of losing a loved one.  Everyone reacts differently; the grief process is unique for each individual.  In the midst of the grief comes the need to make an abundance of decisions.  One key decision is where to hold your...
What is an Estate Planner

What is an Estate Planner

An estate planner (also called an estate lawyer or estate planning attorney) helps individuals choose the appropriate options for maintaining their estate after they pass away or become incapable of making the decisions themselves.  An estate planner is an attorney...
How to Stop Your Deceased Loved One’s Mail

How to Stop Your Deceased Loved One’s Mail

Losing a loved one is a deeply painful process.  While the grief is fresh, many parts of everyday life are put on the back burner.  Unfortunately, after a loved one passes away it eventually becomes clear that there a myriad of details, both large and small, that must...