Author
Karl-Gustav Kallasmaa
Founder, Calla
Karl-Gustav Kallasmaa is a software engineer and the founder of Calla. He built Calla to make funeral and cremation pricing — some of the most consequential and most hidden information families face — clear, comparable, and public. He is not a funeral director; for professional guidance Calla relies on and cites recognized authorities.
How Calla researches, sources, and reviews its content is described in our editorial standards.
Articles by Karl-Gustav
How Intestate Succession Works When Someone Dies Without a Will
No will doesn't mean no plan — it means the state's default plan applies. Here's how intestate succession works, who typically inherits, and where the rules diverge.
Read articleHow to Plan a Funeral When Someone Dies Unexpectedly, With No Pre-Planning
When there's no pre-plan and no time, a good funeral doesn't require perfect decisions—just the right ones, in the right order.
Read articleSympathy Messages for the Loss of a Mother: What to Say and How to Say It
Losing a mother is one of life's deepest griefs. These ready-to-use messages, writing tips, and gentle guidance help you reach out with care—whether by text, card, or in person.
Read articleHow Much Burial Insurance Do You Need?
A simple way to size a final-expense policy — without over- or under-insuring.
Read articleHow to Use Life Insurance to Pay for a Funeral
Claiming a policy, assigning benefits to the funeral home, and how fast the money arrives.
Read articleFuneral Payment Plans and Financing: How to Spread the Cost
Funeral home plans, loans, and credit — plus the lower-cost moves to try before borrowing.
Read articleDoes Medicare or Medicaid Cover Funeral Costs?
The short answer is mostly no — but Medicaid burial exemptions matter. Here's how.
Read articleAre Prepaid Funeral Plans Worth It? Pros, Cons, and Pitfalls
When locking in a funeral at today's prices pays off — and the fine print that bites.
Read articleHow to Get a Death Certificate (and How Many You'll Need)
Who files it, how to order certified copies, and how many you'll actually need.
Read articleWhat to Do When Someone Dies: The First 48 Hours
A step-by-step checklist for the first two days — who to call and what can wait.
Read articleAverage Cremation Cost: Direct, With Service, and What You Pay For
Direct vs. full-service cremation pricing — and what each line item actually buys.
Read articleWhat Is Final Expense Insurance? A Plain-English Guide
How burial insurance works, what it costs, and whether it beats prepaying a funeral.
Read articleHow to Pay for a Funeral With No Money
Real options — assistance programs, low-cost choices, and crowdfunding — when funds are short.
Read articleHow Much Does a Funeral Cost in 2026?
Average US funeral costs, line by line — and the choices that move the number most.
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