Funeral Related Apps

In today's world people want to be able to have information at their fingertips anytime and anywhere. This has become even more apparent through the development of smartphones and different apps that are available to users these phones.

 In this post I will include a short list of apps that I have downloaded to my Iphone that are useful to those who are making funeral arrangements for a loved one- who has died, or for those that would like to pre-plan their funerals to make things easier for their families.

1.iFuneral -created by Appware Limited.
This App is designed for you to enter all sorts of information about the type of service you'd like when you pass away. Once you've entered all the information desired,  you can send the info to your next-of-kin to safeguard it until they need to use it. Information you'll input includes: church denomination, a specific funeral home and director you'd like to take care of arrangements with their contact information, whether you prefer burial or cremation as well as place of burial, music you'd like to be played at the service, type of procession, casket type, clothing you'd like to wear, clothing for those attending (for example if you want all to wear black in mourning or if you want them to wear blue because it was your favorite color. etc.), if you have a life insurance plan, pre-need arrangements or a will, and you may also include any special wishes. This app was made in the UK, therefore caskets listed may not be available to US residents.



2. Funeral info. -created by Your Tribute Holdings LTD.
This is a wonderful app dedicated to answering all of your questions regarding funeral services from "How to write an obituary" to "inappropriate & funny funeral songs" etc. It works similarly to ask.com and other like websites. Select the Article category you have questions about then you're given a list of articles regarding that category.



3. FindAGrave -created by Ancestry.com.
This app works by searching by memorial (or person) or searching for a cemetery. Once you have selected one and entered the needed information: first and last name of the deceased, date of birth, date of death, country, state and city of burial, hit search. You are then given a list of people to scroll through who fit the criteria entered. I searched for my great grandmother and was able to find her grave easily with a picture of her grave stone and a short bio all about her. This app also provides you the plot number and the cemetery's name, address, and phone number if available.


4. ObitFinder -created by Legacy.com.
This app is similar to the Find A Grave App, except for it's meant to specifically find obituaries. This App may be helpful if you are writing an obituary for a loved one and can't remember great great grandma's name or other information. It also provides a great list of obituaries you can use as references or outlines for writing your own obituary or a loved one's. The way it works- you enter the first and last name of the person who's obit you are looking for as well as selecting a date range and keywords such as: place of death, birth, grandpa's name, things that will help the site find the needle in the haystack of millions of obituaries. When I searched for a family member's obit I found not only one obituary but 2 that were submitted to different papers.

The last Iphone or Smartphone app I'm sharing with you is more of a help for friends or distant relatives who are attending a funeral service and aren't quite sure what to say.

5. JustToSay -created by Indy.inc.
This app was specifically built to help those who have a hard time expressing with words exactly what they want to say from their hearts. It provides many different phrases and conversation starters to use at different occasions. The sympathy section of this app provides excellent suggestions such as, "I know there is nothing I can say or do to make this okay. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow." I know it may be a little Hallmark but if said with heart and feeling the families truly appreciate your kind words.



To finish up I would like to introduce a couple of apps that are available for social media such as Twitter and Facebook.

One app available for Twitter users is LivesOn. This app was created to post random twitter posts to your twitter account after you have passed away. The app analyzes your current twitter posts and from there it creates the new posts. Kind of a creepy thought but kind of cool. Some users may find comfort from your computerized "tweets from heaven" while others may just find it spooky and odd.

A popular Facebook app available is the IfIDie app. (I do not condone the hand gestures found in the video on this website). What IfIDie does is provides you with the ability to share a personalized video message to select friends and family if you happen to die. It also allows you to write specific messages that you would like delivered by message to your Facebook after your death. Kind of a cool way to share a video will or a video message for a memorial service for close friends and family.