Filing your personal taxes can be easier than it used to be. Unfortunately, what you could claim last year may not be the same this year. I have compiled a list of the common personal tax laws that have changed since last tax season on my website. I have also provided several tips that can help you get the biggest return possible without manipulating your tax forms. You can learn how to get the biggest return while following the IRS guidelines so you do not have to worry about tax audits or getting a penalty letter a few years after getting your check.
Few things in life are more difficult than the loss of a loved one, and having to plan for a burial can feel impossible when you're wading through the bereavement process. If your loved one never expressed their wishes, you may be wondering if you should opt for a traditional burial or for a cremation. There are a few reasons why you may want to choose cremation.
Less costly than a burial
The costs associated with a traditional burial can be steep. At the very least, you need a casket, a gravesite, and an engraved tombstone--none of which are cheap. With cremation, you can keep expenses low, as you're only paying for the cremation services and an urn. If your loved one didn't have life insurance or funds set aside, you may be finding yourself scrambling to cover funeral and burial expenses, and cremation provides a cost-effective way to honor your loved one's memory.
You can choose to keep or spread your loved one's remains
Cremation gives you the option of what to do with your loved one's remains. If you prefer, you can still opt to have the remains buried in a marked grave. Alternatively, you may want to find a nice urn to display in your home. Or, you can spread the ashes at a favorite location. If your loved one was always a fan of nature, what better way to remember them than to spread their ashes in the forest? Spreading your loved one's ashes at a variety of sites can be a great way to honor their memory and fulfill a common wish postmortem--the desire to travel the world.
As an added benefit, some may find the act of spreading ashes as a therapeutic way to connect with their loved one's memory.
More environmentally friendly than a burial
Cremation has less of an impact on the environment than more traditional options. This is because a variety of chemicals are used to prepare a body for a funeral. After the burial, those chemicals can find their way into the soil, causing problems for the surrounding land.
You still have the option of a funeral or memorial service
Cremation gives you some freedom over what type of memorial you want for your loved one. If you're interested in a traditional funeral, you can opt to cremate afterwards, or just to display the urn instead of a casket. You can also do a more private ceremony with family and friends at home or another place that was near and dear to your loved one.
Although nothing can take away your pain during this difficult time, you may find that opting for cremation alleviates some of the stress inherent in the funeral and burial planning process. Talk to a funeral home like Peninsula Funeral Home for more information.
Share27 August 2015
