Patrick McNally

It is a benefit for us all to learn about the funeral customs and traditions of others because it opens us up to new possibilities…

Participation is powerful. Often, children lack an opportunity to truly participate in the funeral services for their loved ones.…

"The clear, melodic notes of a brass band marching along Chinatown's Stockton Avenue catch the attention of an Asian woman…

Designer Nadine Jarvis has produced some very thought provoking art work using cremated remains. But before you say, "Oh,…

Euphemisms abound in funeral service. As Hugh Rawson explains in one of my most favorite books, Euphemisms & Other Double Talk…

In Portland Oregon's beautiful Rose City Cemetery, there is a section of Gypsy graves. The monuments on these graves are interesting…

For many, the idea of returning our bodies to the earth is a sacred and appealing concept. Those of us with a special bond to a…

When I was an apprentice, the directors told me a story that has shaped the way I view funerals and family requests to this day.…