Blog
How to Write an Obituary – Part 2
Take the facts you gathered in the previous Blog Post on How to Write An Obituary – Part I and create a short story with them. One of the best ways to craft a story is to read other Obituaries that tell a story. Take bits and pieces from each one and you will start...
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How to Write an Obituary – Part 1
I’ve been reading Obituaries since I was about 12 and love to learn about people’s life stories. If it was someone I knew, I would often read out loud to anyone who would listen, “Did you know that Mr. Wiggins was a medic in the Army before he became a Veterinarian?...
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Choosing Songs for a Funeral or Celebration of Life
Music can be an important element in a Funeral or Celebration of Life. Depending on the length of the Ceremony, choose two or three songs. Think about the person’s favorite genre of music and if they have a playlist or music collection you are in luck! Would you like...
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A Cop, Thief, Safecracker and Prison Inmate
Grant planned his own funeral. His wish was that his wife of 30+ years be happy, smiling and laughing with her friends at his funeral. He asked that it be a “Celebration of his Life” so that is what we are creating together today. He mentioned about his spirit coming...
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Dads, Death and Duck Farts
If we could describe our Dad (Carl) in one word it would be “funny”. He had the best sense of humor of anyone we know and mostly it was appropriate. Even when it was inappropriate he always got a laugh. He enjoyed seeing people laugh until they cried so this is...
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Celebration of Life for a Redheaded Artist
Lauren had striking, spiky red hair with sparkling emerald green eyes. You could spot that radiant red hair in any crowd. She was a brilliant, talented watercolor artist. It seemed fitting to have her Celebration of Life in the Art Gallery where her paintings hung on...
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A Rocky Mountain High Funeral
It was a cloudy, rainy day in Denver as I walked toward the mortuary chapel to officiate a service for a stubborn, troubled and complex man. Tom, aka “Tiny” chose to end his life. The smell of marijuana hung in the air outside and also inside as I entered the front...
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Speaker at a Celebration of Life
At some Celebration of Life ceremonies, the family and friends may wish to have what is referred to as an “open mic”. Whenever possible, I ask for the names of relatives and introduce them first, followed by selected friends then open it up to anyone else who would...
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Spiritual But Not Religious
In 2012 The Pew Research Center conducted a study about those who are religiously affiliated and those who are unaffiliated. This is about the time when the phrase “Spiritual but Not Religious” came about along with an acronym SBNR. According to this study, there is a...
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Can the Canned Music
Music often adds an extra special dimension to a Life Celebration and it breaks up the speaking. 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 played for your loved...
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Soccer Loving Grandma
The funeral home was not large enough to hold the hundreds of people who attended this uplifting Life Celebration. People were standing in the aisles, hallways, foyers and the long lines extended outdoors. We kept the doors open and turned up the speakers so they...
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Mourner of One
Brad’s mother transitioned from this life at the age of 95 after a long illness. She told her sons she wanted to be cremated and no funeral service. It was two days before her Birthday and Brad was uncertain what to do with his grief. He felt strongly that his Mother...
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