Blog
Family Owned Funeral And Cremation Providers
In a small town in Nebraska where I grew up; there was only one funeral home and it was family-owned. I had never heard of a corporate-owned funeral home until early 2000 and many people still today are unaware of the differences. The views expressed here are for...
Can the Canned Music
Music often adds an extra special dimension to a Life Celebration and it breaks up the speaking segments. If you are choosing to have the Funeral, Memorial or Celebration of Life at a mortuary then the Funeral Director may ask which songs you would like them to...
Observations at a Funeral
Teaching Moments A teenage girl was getting ready to play the guitar and sing “Hallelujah” at her grandmother’s funeral. I asked her if she was nervous. “A little bit, once I start singing I will be OK.” Then she asked her Dad what she should say to the people after...
Celebration of Life For Someone with Alzheimers
It is extremely difficult for families to watch their mother, father, sister or brother live with Alzheimer’s. They are not themselves. “We lost our mother long ago. She suffered with this disease for over six years. Mom didn’t recognize any of us or know who we were....
Who Will Officiate a Celebration of Life?
Uncle Ed Sometimes families want to organize, create and officiate the Celebration of Life for their loved one. Frequently, I receive calls from family members who tell me they have been trying to do this themselves and it’s just not coming together. Maybe there are...
What Most Funeral Celebrants Do Not Offer
By now, you know that Funeral Celebrants meet with families to create and officiate personalized Funerals, Memorials, Remembrances, Graveside Services and Celebrations of Life. This blog post is about what most Celebrants do NOT offer. Cremations and Burials – A...
Memorial Service for a Suicide
When someone you love exits with suicide, there are many unanswered questions. Sadly, I have witnessed the heartache of those left behind who are in shock and trying to put logic to a tragic ending. Often blaming themselves for not seeing the signs or wondering why...
Embracing the Holidays
Yikes! The holiday season is upon us – how did that happen and where did the year go? Just when you began to enjoy the cooler nights and beauty of the leaves changing colors, the reality of the pending season kicks in. Your hair gets grayer with the anticipation of...
Holiday Traditions After a Death
Traditions are the stories that families write together. After the death of a loved one, it is important to keep the traditions going. It helps to remember them this time of year although we may have thoughts of skipping the holidays entirely. Several families shared...
Top Funeral Songs from 2018
Playing a song or two during the Funeral or Celebration of Life is nice and breaks up some of the speaking portions. A song that is less than 4 minutes is best. If it is a particularly emotional song, 4 minutes can seem like an eternity. As your Funeral Celebrant, I...
Sorting Through the Keepsakes
Just when you think you have endured all the pain and suffering a human could tolerate following the death of a loved one, a new daunting task lurks around the corner. What to do with all the personal belongings? The quick answer is -- do nothing right now unless you...
Dove Release at a Celebration of Life
At this Celebration of Life, Arnie wanted a Dove Release for his beautiful Mother. His Father had died two years prior, so one dove would be for his Mother and one for his Father. Symbolizing that they are soaring toward the Heavens and are together again. It was a...
