There are important differences to understand between pre-paid funerals and life insurance. Make no mistake.  Life insurance is important.  Should you die suddenly and unexpectedly, a life insurance policy could save your survivors from all kinds of financial hardships such as mortgage payments, car payments, living expenses, and even your funeral. So, you might think, “I have life insurance.  I am all set.”  Here are some good reasons to consider adding a prepaid funeral to your family financial safeguards. Not all life insurance policies are the same. A term life insurance plan only provides coverage during a specific period of time and Read More »

Grief is often a lonely experience.  Those grieving a loss often withdraw because they do not want to impose on others.  As a friend or family member of a person stricken with grief, it is normal to have the desire to help, but also challenged about how to be helpful. Here are 5 ways you can make a positive impact on a person who is grieving a loss. Understand How Grief Works Grief is not just sadness and withdrawal.  It can manifest as anger, fear, and other emotions.  It can also begin causing irregular sleep patterns, hygiene neglect, and poor eating habits.  Read More »

Have you ever thought about your carbon footprint after you are gone? Many people strive to make choices that reduce the impact their life has on the environment.  These choices include being mindful about energy use, water conservation, dietary choices, and reusable or recyclable packaging. Here are 5 ways you can make your funeral more green, whether you choose cremation or burial. Consider Green Burial – If there is a cemetery in your area that offers Green Burial that means there will not be any inground vaults, there will be no casket, and no embalming. This is not for everyone.  Despite its Read More »

After someone has lost a loved one, it can be difficult to know what to say to them. This is especially true when their loved one has died from completing suicide. Here are 9 ways to being a conversation when someone has lost their loved one. 1. Tell me a good memory you have of your loved one. 2. I can’t imagine how much pain you are in. We hurt too, because we loved him/her. 3. I love you, and my prayers are with you. 4. He/She will be missed, 5. He/she was a good person. -Focus on the way they lived Read More »

Losing someone to suicide is shocking, painful and unexpected. Part of being a survivor is to aim to adjust to life without your loved one. Grief work is often complex, intense and long term. There is healing and survivors will begin to enjoy life once again. 10 Ways to Honor Your Loved Ones: 1. Plant a tree or garden in their memory either at your home or in a park. 2. Some parks have a memorial program where you can plant a tree or bench with a plaque in their name. 3. Journal about your loved one.Ask your loved one’s relatives, friends, Read More »

Showing care and concern towards someone who is contemplating or threatening suicide could ultimately change the outcome of their decision. Many times, their threats are an outcry for help or an attempt to voice their feelings in the only way they know how. Ask if they are OK. Though this seems like a logical question to ask, it is many times a question that is overlooked because of its simplicity. Asking is some one is OK can open the door for them to express their feelings in a safe non-judgemental environment. Letting someone who is feeling disconnected to the rest of the Read More »

The warning signs of suicide can sometimes go undetected. IS PATH WARM? Is a way to help remember the signs of threat. I Ideation: Threatening or talking about wanting to hurt/kill him/herself; looking for ways to kill him/herself; talking or writing about death, dying or suicide, when these actions are out of the ordinary S Substance Abuse: Increase in alcohol or drug use P Purposelessness: No reason for living; no sense of purpose in life A Anxiety: agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all the time T Trapped: Feeling there is no way out; can’t see possibility of change H Hopelessness: doesn’t Read More »

As September 10th, otherwise known as World Suicide Prevention Day approaches it is our goal to spread awareness about suicide and how to prevent it from occurring. 6 Statistics of Suicide:  Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds,  4th leading cause of death among 35-54 year olds, and  8th leading cause of death among 55-64 year olds.  One person dies by suicide every 9 hours.  For every suicide, there are at least 6 survivors affected by their death.  4 times more men than women die by suicide; but 3 times more women attempt suicide.

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. FEMA will begin accepting applications for Funeral Assistance on Monday, April 12, 2021 through the dedicated call center number below. To be eligible for funeral assistance, you must meet these conditions: The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19. The applicant must be a U.S. Read More »