Blog- How To's

Anyone who has ever lost a loved one knows how tough it is to be mindful of different aspects of the funeral. It is completely understandable if making a proper funeral invitation seems to be an arduous task at that point in time. Our brief guide will guide you on how to make a funeral invitation-the norms and conventions-and what you should keep in mind.

Do what makes you comfortable
Sometimes verbally talking about the loss of a loved one can be very tough. Informing everyone in person and discussing the same painful emotions multiple times can become emotionally draining. If you are someone who does not feel comfortable speaking about a personal loss, make use of the written word. Your options range from a handwritten note to a printed card to a digital invitation to an email. Use whichever mode makes the task the most comfortable for you.

If you are someone who would feel better with having a heart-to-heart conversation with someone about your loss, you can personally invite people for the funeral. You can do this in person, but a telephone call would be as good.

Remember your deceased loved one
If you are using an online template for the funeral invitation, design it in a way that does justice to the memories of your loved person. It does not have to be anything intricate, just simple things you know they would have liked. If you have the scope and mental space for giving an insight into their life in the invitation, do that by all means.

Let people know that their company is desired
In difficult times, having supportive people around us is a blessing. Do not word your invitation in any way that could convey a sense of haste or unwelcome. Remember that some invitees themselves are deeply affected by the loss. Be mindful of what you write while listing the details of the funeral so as to not give inappropriate sentiments.

Thanks for reading,

Karen

Attending funerals and memorial services can be difficult for most of us. We find ourselves at a loss for words. Even the extroverts among us are left searching for the correct words. But silence can be equally damaging. Our silence can be misconstrued as our indifference. It is necessary to talk but maintain a low volume and polite tone at all times. As for what to say, we give you some sentences that can help you start a conversation.

" I am so sorry for your loss."

Say these words truthfully and with empathy. This short sentence will make you part of their grief. This sentence has the capacity to reducing the isolating feeling of family and friends.

"I feel fortunate to have known him/her."

If you had known the deceased person you can share your experiences with them. But know where to stop. Keep it short. You are not obliged to keep on talking on occasions such as these. Thoughtful silences are better than hurtful words.

"Let me know how I can help."

Say these words and follow them up with action. Remember that grieving people may find it tough to ask for help. Offer to arrange for a meal or pick up groceries. You can take the dog for a walk or offer to babysit the children in the family.

"You can call me anytime."

Very often loneliness kicks in after all the funeral formalities are over. It takes people some time to come to terms with their loss. It is here that a phone call or a visit helps. Your phone call can be comforting for the grieving person. It can also encourage them to call you back when they feel lonely.

"I keep thinking about you."

This can make them feel wanted. This will accelerate their healing process.

Sometimes the grieving person may not remember what you said, but they will remember your thoughtfulness.

Thanks for reading,

Karen

The passing on of a loved one is perhaps the most painful time of anyone’s life. While accepting their death and talking about it to a trusted person is the first step of grieving, another thing that might help is leaving behind your loved one’s legacy.

You can do this by capturing their memory on a monument. But what should you write on it? What is it that must be engraved on the monument forever? What is it that people should read and remember them by? Here are a few things you can think about that may help you decide:

• What is it about them that you loved the most?
• What did they do that made a difference to the lives of the people they touched?
• What was the fondest memory of their life that they shared with you?
• What was it that made them happiest?
• Whom did they love the most? For example, their kids, husband/wife, parents.
• How did they wish to be remembered? (this could be your biggest pointer)
• What was your fondest memory with them?
• What did they love doing the most? For example, painting, reading, pottery.

Thinking about these questions might bring back a flood of memories, and it would take some time to process and work through all of them. But when you do, you might just know what it is that the world will remember your loved one by. In the process, you might also be able to appreciate the life they lived and come a step closer to accept their passing on.You may even choose to engrave  a picture or install a porcelain  portrait along with text, especially if you want their legacy to be more visual and creative.

We can most definitely assist in this need you might have. Also look at the "Products"  section on this website to get an idea of monuments we have done for customers in the past.

Thanks for reading,

Karen

Selecting the right funeral venue means that you can give a proper send-off to your loved ones and cater to any special needs that they had desired. However, not all funeral homes will work for you. If you are in the midst of organizing a funeral for someone or making advanced arrangements for yourself, there are a few things that will help you find the right funeral venue.

1. Decide on a budget

The first step to take is to decide on the amount you want to spend on the funeral. Make sure that you know what you can afford so that you don’t have to scramble for money after accepting the price.

2. Prioritize 

Not every funeral home will satisfy all your requirements. That is why you need to prioritize what is important. The most important factors have to be location and price, followed by cultural or religious requirements, parking, handicap accessibility, etc.

3. Select the arrangement you want

Depending on what has been decided before the person died, the choices can help determine the best funeral home that is reasonably priced. The common options are donating the body for research, direct or traditional burial, and cremation.

4. Make a list

You can look online to find funeral home listings. Call some of them that you like and get their prices. Ask them about urn and casket prices as well. If the funeral director is being uncooperative, take him out of the list. If you want a more affordable option, look for venues that are beyond your immediate area or eliminate expenses like visitation or embalming.

5. Narrow down your choice

Research further and visit the funeral home for narrowing down your choices. Write down all the questions you have and bring a family member or a friend who is less emotionally invested than you are. 

Death of a loved one can be tough and planning a funeral can be emotionally exhausting. Make sure that you have the right people with you to help you go through this tough time and help plan the perfect funeral for your loved one.

Thanks for reading,

Karen

Someone close to you has lost someone near to them, so to show your friend or relative that you care you plan to send flowers to express your condolence. You, however, have several questions in mind regarding the flowers. Is it inappropriate in your friend or relative’s religion to even send flowers? What if you end up unintentionally offending the recipient? How does one choose the best floral arrangement?

Consider the meaning behind colors and types of flowers

If you want to avoid offending the family, avoid green flowers since green is a sign of health and money – unbefitting for the event. White flowers are the safest choice in such a circumstance. Attending a Buddhist funeral? Steer clear of red flowers because as per their traditions, the color red is for happy events. In the Jewish, Islamic, and Hindu faiths, it is considered ill-mannered to arrive at the funeral with flowers or gifts.

How to choose the best flower arrangement

Knowing what to say by choosing the best floral arrangement for the family of the deceased is also a skill that you can hone. Wreaths, flower baskets, crosses, hearts, and standing sprays are all appropriate choices for comforting a family and honoring the memory of the deceased loved one in most circumstances.

When it comes to flower options, lilies are the go-to choice for wakes and funerals since the color white is generally associated with death. Orchids are another popular choice as sympathy flowers; you can either opt for phalaenopsis and dendrobium orchids. Then there is a range of flowers such as freesia, gerbera, hydrangea, tulips, sunflowers, and roses you can choose.

Make sure that the florist has included a card message so that the family knows you sent the flowers. Something simple like “My heart goes out to you in your time of sorrow” will speak volumes of your emotion.   

Thanks for reading,

Karen