When we make decisions about those who have died, we ought to do what will help us cope best, not what others think is the best thing to do. In summary, it costs a lot to die in America. About 85 percent of all people die in a hospital or care center and incur high levels of expenses during this final time in their lives. Flower costs would be in addition to all of these. We have noted that practices are influenced by tradition, religion, customs, and history.
Death leads to bereavement.
We cope with bereavement through grief. Grief is one's emotional reaction to the actual event of loss. And mourning is the process by which we incorporate the experience of loss into the ongoing life process. We have looked at the typical funeral and related arrangements in terms of bereavement, grief and mourning. We have also reviewed some of the alternatives to the standard funeral.