When someone you love dies, it is natural to look for something that connects to what you are feeling. Be it anger, sadness, overwhelm, grief- we turn to what is familiar and comforting. For some, that is music, or maybe a book and for others, that may be poetry. April is National Poetry Month and a wonderful opportunity to share a collection of beautiful poems about grief and loss and healing. May you find something here that speaks to you in whatever way you may need.   [i carry your heart with me(i carry it in] By E. E. Cummings i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)i am ne ..read more

Women have long played an important role in caring for the dead. From nearly the beginning of civilized culture, women have been integral in the preparing and dressing of the body, the planning of food for mourners and carrying out the various mourning traditions. As we have moved into the 19th and 20th centuries, these roles have expanded into the professional sphere of funeral service. Today, we will focus on two women who helped pave the way for the role of women in the profession today.   Henrietta Duterte Henrietta Smith Bowers Duterte was born in 1817 and was one of the 13 chil ..read more

For almost as long as we’ve held funerals, there has been a connection between funerals and food. What began as provided food for the departed in their next life has transformed into what we know today, mourners sharing food and gathering together. Today, we will explore the history of food and funerals and how sharing a meal at the time of someone’s passing became a symbolic tradition we still practice today.             Paleolithic Times The history of food at funerals dates back more than 12,000 years and begins with the actual consumption o ..read more

As we discussed in our last blog post, prayer/memory cards are something you may be tasked with choosing when a loved one dies. These cards can be customized in many ways, so they truly reflect the person they are honoring. For those who don’t strongly relate to their faith, a prayer or verse may not feel like the best option. In this case, there are many poems, quotes, and sayings to choose from. Below are 10 of the most popular choices of poems and quotes for a memory card. 1) “Immortality”: This poem, written by Clare Harner after the sudden death of her brother, prompts the reader to not l ..read more

When making funeral arrangements, something you may be choosing is a prayer or memory card that your family and friends will receive when they come to the service. These cards are often very personalized and made to reflect the deceased’s life. Typically, a prayer card will include a photo of the deceased or something that represents them on the front and a prayer, poem, or saying on the back. For those who relate strongly to their faith, a prayer or verse could be most appropriate. Below are 10 popular choices of prayers and verses that may be used for a prayer card. 1) The Twenty Third Psalm ..read more

How to lend a helping hand when someone dies When someone dies, there seems to be a never-ending list of things that need to be accomplished. There are decisions to be made about the funeral itself, coordinating travel plans, and planning a luncheon for after the cemetery to name a few. If you’ve ever experienced this, you know that sometimes other things fall by the wayside. Making a healthy dinner or getting all the laundry done probably isn’t at the top of the priority list. In today’s blog, we’re going to touch on some gift ideas for friends or family who are experiencing a loss. Meal Serv ..read more

Since the beginning of time, society has had traditions surrounding death. Though they have changed through the years, they all serve the same purpose: to honor and memorialize the dead. Below, we will touch on traditions from the past and what they meant. Death Masks In Ancient Egypt, the preparation and mummification process of the dead was a sacred ritual. Their belief was that the soul needed a place to stay or return to after death and it was important that the soul be able to recognize the body. This is where death masks came to be. These masks were fashioned in the likeness of the decea ..read more

Monuments can be found in a wide array of styles that allow for customization to fit your vision. From upright monuments to flush markers, below you will see some examples of the various options. Upright Monuments Upright monuments are the most common type of cemetery marker used today. An upright monument consists of two pieces, a tablet (or die) and a base. The tablet is the top piece, which typically contains most of the engraving and design and sits on top of the base. An upright monument allows for the most customization as there are two flat faces for engraving and design. Upright marker ..read more

Now that we have learned about the numerous options for monument and marker styles, we can further our knowledge and learn about monument sizes and materials. Monument Sizes As you work through the process of designing your monument, size will be an important factor. First and foremost, you should consult your monument professional to understand any size regulations set forth by the cemetery. Size regulations are often determined by the number of graves the monument will mark. Sizing is noted on scale drawings as Length X Width X Height. If the monument has a die and a base, there will be meas ..read more

Much like in life, it’s impossible to be prepared for everything that will happen in death. It would be nice to say that everyone will die in their own home, surrounded by their family at an old age after a wonderful and fulfilling life. However, that is not always the case. Things do not always go according to plan and people pass away while they’re on vacation, wintering in a warmer state or just away from home for any reason. Below, we will talk about the steps to take when a death occurs far from home. Who Should I Call? When a death occurs far from home, the first question is often “who d ..read more