In the News
The holidays are often described as a season of joy, celebration, and connection — but for many people, they are also a time of deep emotional pain, especially after the loss of a loved one. In this CBS News Chicago interview, Chicago-based grief specialist and Parting Stone Partner Success Manager
Cremation works by placing the deceased in a specialized chamber called a retort, where temperatures of 1,400-1,800°F reduce the body to bone fragments over 2-3 hours. The remains are then processed into a finer consistency and returned to the family, typically weighing 3-7 pounds for an adult.
Research
The 3 C's of grief are Control, Connection, and Continuity - three fundamental psychological needs that become disrupted after loss and require intentional attention during the grieving process. Understanding these core components helps bereaved individuals recognize what feels missing in their lives and provides a framework for healing that
Memorial research and education for making informed choices. Learn about memorial processes, quality standards, and provider evaluation to honor your loved one.
Research
You can keep cremation ashes at home in an urn, scatter them in meaningful locations, bury them in a cemetery plot, divide them among family members, create memorial jewelry, or transform them into solidified remains through specialized processes. The right choice depends entirely on your family's values, the
Research
Water cremation is an eco-friendly body disposition method that uses heated water, alkaline solution, and gentle agitation to accelerate the natural decomposition process, returning a person's remains to their basic chemical components in 3-6 hours. Also called alkaline hydrolysis, aquamation, or flameless cremation, this process produces
Research
Cremation costs typically range from $800 to $9,000 depending on the type of service you choose, with direct cremation averaging $1,100 to $2,200 and full-service cremation with viewing averaging $6,280 according to the National Funeral Directors Association's 2023 General Price List Study. These
Grief
Anniversary grief support for navigating difficult dates. Find expert guidance and coping strategies for managing grief resurgence on important dates.
Feel like you "should" be sadder? Emotional numbness is a common grief response. Learn why feeling nothing is still feeling something.
Recognize when you're ready for memorial decisions. Understand emotional readiness signs and timing for meaningful memorial choices after loss.
Grief
Grief causes real physical symptoms: chest pain, fatigue, digestive issues, immune suppression. Learn why your body hurts when your heart does & when to seek help.
Christmas memorial ideas that honor loved ones during the holidays. Create meaningful traditions that blend celebration with remembrance authentically.