Choose your forever outfit!

An urn isn’t just a final step—it’s a final statement. A way to honor, reflect, and even celebrate. Where to start? Here is a look at the top 5 urn styles popular now, honorable mentions, and a look at future trends.

The questions people ask in times of grief are rarely about curiosity alone—they’re about meaning, connection, memory, and getting things right. And sometimes, yes, they’re about whether you can legally put someone’s ashes in a custom-painted garden flamingo.

We’re here for all of it.

So ask your questions. All of them. The practical, the personal, the weird, the sacred, the ones you’re afraid will sound silly. Nothing about love or loss is silly to us.

In 2022, a 3,000-pound concrete tomb was buried in Washington State. It wasn’t for a person. It wasn’t for a beloved pet or a national treasure. It was for a single bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

This is not satire. This is anthropology.

Everyone has a dream afterlife. Some want clouds and harps. Others want to come back as a houseplant in a minimalist kitchen. But your zodiac sign? That says a lot about your cosmic vibe. Yes, let’s class up the astrology-afterlife fusion with a little more zest, but still keep it tasteful enough that no one’s grandma files a complaint—unless she’s a Scorpio, in which case she already has. Here’s what the stars predict your perfect forever looks like, based on absolutely zero science and a healthy disregard for subtlety.

Death is one of life’s most intimate and inevitable experiences. While no two journeys are the same, understanding what happens after death can bring peace to families facing one of life’s most difficult transitions.

At Martin Oaks Cemetery & Crematory, we are not just in the business of services—we are in the business of care. If you have questions—whether for yourself, a loved one, or just out of curiosity—we’re here to talk. There’s never a wrong time to ask.

Every year, on the last Monday of May, we pause to observe Memorial Day—a sacred tradition of remembrance for the men and women who gave their lives in service to the United States of America. This day is not just marked on the calendar—it is etched into the earth beneath our feet and the stories that lie within it.

Let us take a moment to look back at the conflicts that have shaped our nation, and reflect on the lives lost—men and women alike—in defense of our shared freedom. Hopefully this list never grows.

“Can we include this with our loved one during the cremation?”

Sometimes, the answer is a gentle yes. Other times—due to safety concerns, environmental impact, or just plain physics—it’s a firm no. So we thought we’d share a helpful guide of things that shouldn’t make the final journey with your loved one, and why.

From its ancient roots, through centuries of suppression, to its contemporary resurgence, the story of cremation in the Western world is deeply intertwined with religious transformation and societal evolution. As more families seek personalized, meaningful, and environmentally conscious memorials, cremation continues to reshape how we honor life and legacy.

In the twilight hours, beneath the brooding eaves of weathered tombs and amongst the sorrowful whisperings of willow trees, there resided a mouse of uncommon intellect and impeccable taste. His name—Mortimer W. Whiskerby III—was known far and wide among the nocturnal denizens of Whiskered Whispers Cemetery, not for his culinary skills (which were fair), nor for his poetry (which was dreadful), but for his keen powers of deduction.

While burial was once the dominant choice for Texans, changing societal attitudes, economic considerations, and cultural adaptations have contributed to the increasing preference for cremation.

The story of the Martin family and their land that became Martin Oaks Cemetery serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring connection between people and the land they inhabit, and how these ties continue to influence the identity of communities today.

The act of being buried in a car can symbolize more than just material wealth. For many, vehicles represent freedom, identity, and personal achievement. A car can be an extension of one's personality, and for some, it holds deep sentimental value. By choosing to be buried in their car, individuals may be expressing a final desire to carry that identity with them, even in death.

Losing a loved one hurts. Friends and family are compassionate and always willing to help but this isn’t something one does often and it’s hard to find the right thing to say sometimes. Words can either be a source of comfort or cause unintended pain. While most people mean well, certain phrases can come off as dismissive, hurtful, or just plain unhelpful. If you want to support someone who is grieving, here are seven things you should avoid saying—and what to say instead.

What happens to me after I die? Who controls what happens to your body after your passing. Make sure your wishes are honored and not left to chance. Or worse, left to someone that you do not want to make decisions for you after you die. Here is a guide.

Why does Texas require all funeral homes have an on-site functioning embalming room even if the firm doesn’t offer embalming?

When it comes to commemorating the dearly departed, the little mountain town of Nederland, Colorado, has taken things to a whole new (and chilly) level. Meet the star of the show: Bredo Morstoel, affectionately known as “Grandpa Bredo,” who’s been cryogenically frozen in a Tuff Shed since the late 1980s. His icy posthumous adventure has inspired one of the quirkiest festivals in the U.S.: Frozen Dead Guy Days.

Christmas is a time filled with joy, light, and warmth, but did you know many of its traditions have roots that stretch back long before the birth of Jesus Christ? Some of the most familiar parts of our modern holiday celebrations come from ancient festivals and customs that different cultures practiced for centuries.

This blog aims to provide an accessible overview of Hinduism, focusing on its practices, gods, and beliefs, while highlighting its presence in Texas. You might even be surprised that some things that are part of our every day lives come from Hinduism!

Besides how to spell it correctly (no, there are no As in cemetery!) people should be aware that cemeteries hold deep historical, cultural, and emotional significance even if you don’t know anyone resting in one. Here are the top five things everyone should know about cemeteries—

In the United States, traditions surrounding death and mourning are as diverse as the cultural backgrounds and religious beliefs of the people who observe them. These practices offer families ways to honor their loved ones, find closure, and support each other during a time of loss. While customs can differ widely from family to family, here are some of the most common ways people in the U.S. honor their loved ones after they pass away.