Bringing children to a funeral may seem like a difficult or even unnecessary task, but it can be beneficial for both the child and the family as a whole. First and foremost, attending a funeral allows children to understand and process the concept of death. Death is a difficult concept for many adults to understand, let alone children. By attending a funeral, children can see the reality of death and begin to understand that it is a natural part of life. This can help them to come to terms with the loss and begin to grieve in a healthy way. Additionally, bringing Read More »

“Taps” consists of 24 notes that are sounded on a bugle at funerals, wreath-laying ceremonies and memorial services for veterans.  It was not written in its current form but came from revisions to a call named “Tattoo” that was written before the Civil War.  You can see it played here and you will hear some of the notes we know as Taps in its current form today. In 1862 the first steps were taken that resulted in “Taps.”  Every evening a call named “Extinguish Lights” was played to signal the end of day and that troops should extinguish all lights and report Read More »

Bringing Veterans Day to Life in the Eyes of Children Veterans Day marks our gratefulness and respect for all of those who have served in our military and in the defense of our nation. It is a major point of pride for all of those who have sacrificed or have loved someone who has.  As Veterans Day isn’t an occasion with a major lead-up period or a gift-giving opportunity, children might not immediately recognize how significant and special the day truly is. Children’s knowledge of Veterans Day might also vary with the number of close relatives they know who have served in Read More »

Creating an Occasion for Smiles Every person, no matter where or how long they lived, has special dates associated with their lives. Wedding anniversaries, birthdays, and notable events all come to mind as we pass through the calendar year. And while many of those occasions bring smiles and fond memories back to us, the approaching dates of other events might leave us, and the ones we love, filled with dread. The anniversary of a loved one’s passing is not traditionally thought of in Western cultures as a motivation for celebration. But the inevitability of the date arriving every year leaves us with Read More »

The Importance of Community and Grief There are so many occasions in life where we should seek out the comfort and community of the ones around us. Gathering is essential for the relief and comfort it provides after the loss of a friend or family member. If there is any doubt in your mind about the importance of having a special moment for your loved one, please consider the following ideas. Why Gathering is So Important A marked occasion allows for a concrete goodbye. The grieving process looks different for everyone, but it’s an inevitable part of life. It can be very Read More »

Obituaries have traditionally been used by families to let the community know about their loved one’s passing. An obituary recognizes the impact that person had on their community, their ties to the community, and the family members that are left behind. It also informs anyone who might want to attend the funeral of the schedules and dates for any services being held. While the practice might seem a little outdated for those who don’t typically read the newspaper, the rise of the online obituary has allowed families to continue honoring their family members with a much wider and more immediate reach. Writing Read More »

Funerals and end-of-life traditions are an essential part of saying goodbye to those who have passed, creating a final moment of memory and peace that draws us together in our love for those who have gone before us. We in the United States tend to celebrate the passing of our loved ones with memorial services that involve different traditions based on our religions, family practices, and other cultural elements, ranging from somber to joyous. But as you can imagine, there is a world full of ceremonies and practices that look almost nothing like our own, while still being filled with love and Read More »

Difficult Conversations with Deep Significance Part of truly loving someone is the hopes and dreams that we have of a life with them, always looking towards the future.  But as time marches on, one of the realities we must face is that, while we would love to live together side-by-side with our spouse forever, there will be a time that comes when we cannot. Therefore, part of showing true love is preparing our spouses, and ourselves, for a time in which they must prepare for our funeral arrangements. Even if you opt for pre-planning, your spouse must be at least informed of Read More »

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 »