Going Back to Our Lives While Grieving It’s a common misconception that our lives go back to normal after the funeral of a friend or loved one, and that we have completed the grieving process once we leave the memorial service. While the memorial service is an essential part of closure and community, grieving can often last for months, and sometimes years, after we have said goodbye to a person in physical form. Though the grieving process looks and feels different for everyone, there are certain steps we can take, and points to think about, that might make the process a bit Read More »

Dealing with the Loss of a Grandparent as a Child  The loss of a grandparent can be particularly hard for young children, especially ones that might be too young to really grasp what has happened. In addition to being a difficult time of loss for you, the whole funeral process can be both overwhelming and unfamiliar to a child. They may be looking for the comfort of a beloved relative who can no longer physically provide it in those unsettling times. Fortunately, concerned parents and caregivers have begun making a heartwarming effort to memorialize grandparents. They have adopted creative ways that help Read More »

Given the events of the last two years, it has not always been possible for everyone to attend a memorial service that would have liked to. Whether for geographical, logistical, or health reasons, family members and friends haven’t always been able to be on-site to help mourn the loss of a loved one, which is certainly a vital part of everyone’s grieving process. Luckily, with new challenges come new solutions. With a little bit of additional effort, you can be sure to include the ones in the memorial service that would be there if they could, all while giving your loved one Read More »

Keeping a Proactive Mindset Funeral pre-planning is a beautiful gift of preparation and anticipation, both for yourself and for your friends and family. It means that one of the most difficult aspects of saying goodbye has already been taken care of. One of the keys to successful and impactful funeral planning is to keep a proactive mindset, even if it isn’t necessarily a positive one. At the end of the day, you are pre-planning your funeral arrangements for the benefit of those who you love. You are answering the questions now so that they don’t have to be answered by your loved Read More »

There are important differences to understand between pre-paid funerals and life insurance. Make no mistake.  Life insurance is important.  Should you die suddenly and unexpectedly, a life insurance policy could save your survivors from all kinds of financial hardships such as mortgage payments, car payments, living expenses, and even your funeral. So, you might think, “I have life insurance.  I am all set.”  Here are some good reasons to consider adding a prepaid funeral to your family financial safeguards. Not all life insurance policies are the same. A term life insurance plan only provides coverage during a specific period of time and Read More »

Grief is often a lonely experience.  Those grieving a loss often withdraw because they do not want to impose on others.  As a friend or family member of a person stricken with grief, it is normal to have the desire to help, but also challenged about how to be helpful. Here are 5 ways you can make a positive impact on a person who is grieving a loss. Understand How Grief Works Grief is not just sadness and withdrawal.  It can manifest as anger, fear, and other emotions.  It can also begin causing irregular sleep patterns, hygiene neglect, and poor eating habits.  Read More »

Have you ever thought about your carbon footprint after you are gone? Many people strive to make choices that reduce the impact their life has on the environment.  These choices include being mindful about energy use, water conservation, dietary choices, and reusable or recyclable packaging. Here are 5 ways you can make your funeral more green, whether you choose cremation or burial. Consider Green Burial – If there is a cemetery in your area that offers Green Burial that means there will not be any inground vaults, there will be no casket, and no embalming. This is not for everyone.  Despite its Read More »

After someone has lost a loved one, it can be difficult to know what to say to them. This is especially true when their loved one has died from completing suicide. Here are 9 ways to being a conversation when someone has lost their loved one. 1. Tell me a good memory you have of your loved one. 2. I can’t imagine how much pain you are in. We hurt too, because we loved him/her. 3. I love you, and my prayers are with you. 4. He/She will be missed, 5. He/she was a good person. -Focus on the way they lived Read More »

Losing someone to suicide is shocking, painful and unexpected. Part of being a survivor is to aim to adjust to life without your loved one. Grief work is often complex, intense and long term. There is healing and survivors will begin to enjoy life once again. 10 Ways to Honor Your Loved Ones: 1. Plant a tree or garden in their memory either at your home or in a park. 2. Some parks have a memorial program where you can plant a tree or bench with a plaque in their name. 3. Journal about your loved one.Ask your loved one’s relatives, friends, Read More »