A Brief Roadmap
To the right, are links to all of our funeral homes’ current obituary pages, but you can also visit each entire site from that page. There’s also a link to the past newsletters. At the bottom of this page are the matters about which we get the most telephone and email inquiries – click any of them for helpful information. The body of the newsletter will always be fresh, brief and include the information we believe will be of the greatest value to the people who live in the communities we live in and serve. You can expect to receive your newsletter early each month. And finally, this is your newsletter! We welcome your input. Please share your ideas with us by using the secure contact page.
Grief
Coping with the loss of a loved one or close friend is always difficult and complex. Grief, grieving and coping with personal loss and tragedy are surely one of the two things we are most often asked about. We provide numerous links on our websites that can direct you to all forms of support and assistance in these crucial matters. There is one area, however, that is frequently overlooked by those who have suffered the loss, and we will touch on that here, briefly.
The people around you want to help you in your time of loss. It’s only natural. No doubt, you’ve wanted to help someone who has suffered a loss. That experience allows you to fully empathize with the accompanying emotions, feelings and desires. The truth is, however, that there is very little your friends and acquaintances can actually do to ease your pain. This often leaves them frustrated, disappointed in themselves and feeling helpless.
When we suffer a loss, as difficult as it may be at the time, we need to remain strong for those around us. It is entirely possible to both suffer loss and be strong. The unique strength you can feel during a period of loss will allow you to be sympathetic to the difficult and uncomfortable position of your friends and relatives. The people who care most about you are unable to make all your pain go away – and this can be hurtful to them. That’s when they need your strength. It really does not take much to comfort those who are trying to help you cope with your loss. A simple touch and a warm smile – maybe a heartfelt thank you – such gestures go a long way towards helping your friend or family member, as well as yourself. When you show strength for others, at a time of your own loss, you become stronger and coping with your loss becomes easier. You grow from your friends’ input and from your compassion and understanding.
Find a host of other helpful resources for handling grief here.
Writing an Obituary
We created a special article and page for this large and important topic. The article is entitled How To Write An Obituary. The following is a brief excerpt and a link to the article.
Writing an obituary is both a great honor — and a great responsibility…
The person writing an obituary is being asked to create a document that is going to be read by many, many people. It will be read in newspapers for several weeks, and on the internet far into the future. It will be read by family members, loved ones, friends, acquaintances and many others who are simply interested in reading about neighbors who have passed away. For most authors, the obituary will be the most read piece of writing they have ever done – or ever will do.
To read the rest of this instructional article, which includes helpful examples, click here.
Bible Verse of the month
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:4
Fall Monument Care
We’re leaving fall and coming into winter now. That means the cemeteries will stop watering their grounds. The monuments in the cemeteries have withstood the ravages of the summer’s weather, but they’ve also been being sprayed with mineral-laden water all spring and summer. These things invariably create unsightly stains on the monuments. Some of the water used in cemeteries is so hard and contains so many minerals that failure to provide proper monument care and cleaning can lead to permanent etching of the monument’s surfaces. To learn more about proper monument care and cleaning, click here.
