Unique Memorial Idea for Your Loved One

When a loved one passes away, one of the things we can do to honor them is by creating a memorial. This memorial could be large such as an entire garden, or small such as a shelf in our home. If you would like to create a memorial for your loved one after they have passed, check out these ideas from directors of funeral homes in Cleveland Heights, OH.

1. Create a Memorial Wall

A memorial wall is a wall or section of wall in your home that is decorated with framed photographs of your loved one. There could also be a shelf or two included that display things such as personal items or other mementos, or even a plant or candles. This wall can serve as a beautiful display and tribute to your loved one.

2. Plant a Tree

Planting a tree is a lovely way to remember your loved one. This could be done in your own yard or in a public space (just make sure you have permission). Not only will the tree serve as a tribute, but watching it grow over the years can bring a sense of comfort.

3. Create a Memorial Scrapbook

Memorial scrapbooks are great for getting the whole family involved and creating an item that will be a keepsake for years to come. A memorial scrapbook is much like a photo album except you can add other items such as ribbons or certificate your loved one earned, pieces of fabric from their clothing, drawings they created, and more. Also, these tend to be decorated with things like stickers, ink stamps, and pretty scrapbook paper.

4. Commission a Portrait

If you would like an original piece of artwork that serves as a tribute, consider contacting an artist and having them paint a portrait of your loved one. You can find artists locally or online by performing an online search. When you find an artist, make sure you ask to see their past work to ensure both of your styles match.

5. Upcycle and Item

Taking an old item your loved one had and upcycling it into something new is a wonderful way to keep their spirit alive. This could be anything from making a pillow or stuffed animal from their old clothing to turning their old bicycle into a garden planter feature.

6. Write Their Biography

Writing your loved one’s biography can be a lovely way to remember them as well as create a record of their life. This biography could be in intense detail and very long or an overview and shorter in length. You can ask other family members to help as they may have additional information they can add.

Final Thoughts

After your loved one’s services from funeral homes in Cleveland Heights, OH., creating a memorial service can be a healing and therapeutic activity. The size and scale of the memorial don’t matter as any tribute will keep your mind and hands busy and help you to feel connected and close to your loved one. We are here to help have the talk of a lifetime.

5 Tips for Preplanning Your Cremation Services

Each year more and more people are choosing cremation services in Bedford, OH. over in ground burials. If you are thinking about cremation as part of your final plans, there are some things to consider when preplanning these arrangements. Here are some tips to help you when preplanning your cremation.

1. Know Your Options

Many people may think there are only a couple of ways to handle ashes after cremation. The two most common that most people are aware of are holding the remains in an urn or scattering them. However, there are several more options available than that.

Ashes today can be made into glass sculptures, paintings, records, and even diamonds. You can have the remains sent into space, buried in a cemetery, of kept in a columbarium niche.

It’s important that you explore these options so that you can make the best, most informed decision of how you would like your remains to be handled.

2. Choose Your Services

There is more to decide than how you would like your final remains to be handled after your cremation. You also need to decide on services held before and after the cremation. The services before the cremation could include a viewing, visitation, or a wake and will depend on your religion and/or preference. After the cremation services could be a memorial service, celebration of life event, burial, or casting ceremony.

3. Consider Your Family

While it is true that these final funeral arrangements are for you, you should consider the needs of your family. For example, you may believe that a visitation is not needed and see it as just an added expense. However, these services can help those left behind to process your passing and begin to heal. Make sure to discuss your plans with your family and keep their needs in mind.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Preplanning your cremation needs is not something you do every day. It can be difficult, and you may need help and/or guidance. Don’t be afraid to ask for this help. Providers of cremation services as well as funeral directors are experts and know exactly what needs to be addressed and how to do so. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for hep when you need it.

5. Make All Documents Accessible

Once you have finalized your arrangements, gather all of the documents together and file them in a safe place. Make sure your family knows where this place is and that they can access it easily. When the time comes when your family needs these papers, they will be able to collect them with no issues.

Final Thoughts

While it can be difficult to preplan your final arrangements as we tend to not want to confront our own death, it is an important step to take to help your family when the time comes. Having everything planned and arranged not only takes the burden off of your family, but it also ensures your last wishes are carried out the way you intend.

If you would like more information or privacy policy on preplanning your cremation services in Bedford, OH., give us a call or come by anytime and talk with our helpful and knowledgeable staff.

Funeral Service: Knowing What to Expect

If you are lucky, you have not attended many (or any) funerals in the past. While this is good news, it can cause anxiety if you now have to attend one. You might be wondering things like what the service consists of, where you should sit, or what you should wear. Knowing what to expect before you attend can go a long way in helping you feel more comfortable with the situation. Keep reading as directors of share what happens at a funeral homes in Bedford, OH so you can feel more at ease.

What to Expect at the Funeral

Funerals can be held in a various of ways, but most traditional services will have additional events that are held before and after the actual funeral service. These will include:

The viewing or visitation will be held prior to the funeral service (typically the day before)
The funeral service
The committal ceremony which is the burial service held at the gravesite
Funeral reception which is held after the committal

Funerals can be held at a number of different locations.. These could include a church, funeral home, public event space, or even someone’s house. While the location might be different, most traditional funerals have the same order of services. The typical format is:

Musical prelude
Welcome / Introduction
Prayers and Readings
Music Selection / Hymns
Reading of the obituary
Eulogies given
Thank you and acknowledgements

With most funerals, you will be given a memorial program that outlines the specific events as well as lists any names of who is performing the service.

If the committal and /or reception is open to the public, at the end of the service, the officiant will announce any details and invite guests to attend.

Funeral Etiquette

Knowing what to expect can help ease your mind, but just as important is knowing what is expected of you. There are a few things you should be aware of when attending any funeral.

Be on time– Showing up late to any event is inconsiderate, but especially to a funeral. Make sure and give yourself plenty of time to arrive, find parking, and be seated before the service begins. Typically 15 minutes or so will be enough time.
Dress appropriately – A funeral is a somber, respectful event and your attire should reflect that. Of course, black is always a good color choice, but if you do not have anything black you could opt for other colors of dark greys, deep purples or greens, or other neutral colors. As far as your outfit, funerals are fairly formal events so you should dress nicely. If your outfit is appropriate for a nice Sunday morning church service, it should be okay for the funeral.
Where to sit– When finding a place to sit if you see people you know and they invite you to sit with them, you can join them. If you do not see anyone you know find a seat anywhere but the first few rows as these are reserved for family.

Knowing what to expect (and what’s expected of you) can help lessen any anxiety you may feel the next time you have to attend a service at funeral homes in Bedford, OH. Reach out to us for more help, see our testimonials.

Ways to keep your loved one close to you after they pass

Cremation services in Bedford Heights, OH. are quickly becoming a more and more popular choice. Of course burials will always be preferred by some, but we are seeing more people each year opt for cremation. While there can be several reasons for this, one reason is that families enjoy the flexibility of options of ways to handle the remains and keep their loved one close to them.

With burials, the body is placed in the burial plot or a stricture such as mausoleum. These spaces are designated and often time can be far from the family’s home. This can make it difficult at times for family to visit their loved one’s grave. With cremation, however, there are numerous ways to keep your loved one close to you after they pass.

Traditional and Keepsake Urns

The most common is keeping the remains in a nice urn and placing that urn in your home. If you have several family members who would like this option, there are keepsake urns which are smaller in size and are used to hold just a portion of the remains. This way the remains can be divided and family members who wish may have an urn in their home.

Cremation Jewelry

Another way to keep your loved one close after they pass is by purchasing cremation jewelry. This jewelry looks like any other type except that it will hold a small portion of the decease’s remains. Typically, the jewelry piece will have a charm or pendant that is hollow. This is the space that will house the remains. The most popular piece of cremation jewelry is the pendant necklace which is most often is the shape of a heart or cross.

Cremation Memorial Tattoo

If you are looking for an even more extreme or off-the-wall way to always keep your loved one close to you, consider a cremation tattoo. These tattoos are permanent and applied just like any other tattoo. However, these works of art have a one big difference. The ink is actually mixed with a small portion of your loved one’s remains. This ink is then used just as normal tattoo ink. While this practice is gaining popularity it still may be difficult to find an artist that has experience with this method so you may have to search a little more if you would like to have this done.

Stuffed Animal Urn

If you want to keep your loved one close and be able to cuddle with them, then look into a stuffed animal urn. These urns look and feel just like as stuffed animal and contain a space inside for your loved one’s ashes. These soft urns are a wonderful option for children or anyone who wants to cuddle and feel close to their loved one.

Final Thoughts

You can see that after your loved one’s cremation services in Bedford Heights, OH. there are several ways to keep them close. And with cremations becoming more and more popular there is no telling what else we might see in the future. Contact us now to learn more about our services.

5 Ways Funerals Help Us Heal

Losing a loved one brings with it feelings of loss, confusion, sadness and even anger or fear. Being able to be surrounded with love and support as this time is so important to the healing process. Funerals provide this and so much more. With funerals, you are in an environment that you can express and release your feelings and not feel as if you are being judged. When making arrangements with funeral homes in Bedford Heights, OH. holding a funeral service can be beneficial to you and your guests.

1. Acknowledging the New Reality

When someone close to us passes away it is often difficult to truly accept this new reality, epically if the passing was sudden or unexpected. A funeral service can help us to face this new reality and come to terms with it as fact. As painful as this might be, it helps begin the healing process.

2. Searching for Meaning

We have all grappled with the idea of the meaning of life as well as the significance of death and passing onto another world. Funerals can give us an opportunity to explore this further and, in some cases, may help bring clarity or a new perspective to it.

3. Remembering Your Loved One

Feeling close to your loved one after they pass is such a wonderful feeling and a very effective way to do that is to talk about and remember them. Funerals provide a time where people can step out of their busy lives, slow down, and focus on the deceased. By visiting with others, recalling memories, and attending this event that is solely for your loved one, you can experience feelings of comfort and closeness.

4. Receiving Ongoing Support

Funerals bring people together and give permission to those who want to show support to do so. Sometimes we may feel as if we want to help or support someone but feel as if we are “pushing in”. A funeral acts as an invitation to everyone in the community to show their support and feel welcomed in doing so. This support can remain long after even after the funeral is over.

5. Realizing a New Self-Identity

We often times base our identity on relationships around us. For example, you may be a sister, a mom, a brother, uncle, or grandparent. When someone dies, that identity may be broken or gone and a new one will be in its place. For example, you may go from “wife” to “single mom”. Guests can also feel this shift in identity due to the loss of their friend. While this is a challenging situation to deal with, funerals help us make that change and do so with the support of others whose identities are also shifting.

Final Thoughts

When making arrangements with funeral homes in Bedford Heights, OH., you can see holding a funeral service can be beneficial for a myriad of reasons. Not only do they help us accept what has happened and assist in the healing, they provide environments to connect with others and freely express ourselves. Check our testimonials.

Direct Cremation: Why Families May Choose This Option

When a loved one passes away, families must make a lot of decisions. If the deceased wished for cremation services in Cleveland Heights, OH., one of these decisions will be choosing between a direct cremation or adding on additional services such as a visitation.

While some families may choose to hold some of these services, many families may benefit from selecting a direct cremation. Let’s look more at direct cremation and why families may choose this option.

What is a Direct Cremation?

As the name suggests, a direct cremation is direct and does not have any extra services associated with it. The timeline of the process is fairly short and quick with the body being taken to the crematory and the paperwork filled out and completed. The body being in then cremated with then the remains given to the family.

With direct cremation there is no time for services before the cremation such as a viewing, visitation, or funeral. However, families still can hold a service afterwards such as a memorial service, celebration of life event, or a casting ceremony.

Why Choose Direct Cremation?

While direct cremation may not appeal to those families who wish for services before since there is simply not time, this form of cremation can be a beneficial choice for other families, since it can offer benefits that other options cannot. These benefits include:

It provides closure quicker– With direct cremation being a quick process, many families find it helps them find closure faster. With the remains being returned to the family in a shorter timeline than with other options, it is easier to accept the new reality, find closure, and begin healing.
It eases the burden of planning- When a loved one passes away, there are so many things to take care of. Other than the planning of services, families may need to address things like their loved one’s bills, secure their home, care for any pets or children and so much more. Since direct cremation is a simple, minimal process, there is no extra planning involved which can help ease some of the burden on the family at this time.
It is the less expensive option– Sine there are no extra costs with this choice such as funeral services, embalming, etc., direct cremation is the least expensive option which many families can benefit from. Whether they are on a small or limited budget, or they would rather spend more of the budget on things like the urn or memorial service, families can benefit greatly from this option.

Considerations for Direct Cremation

Since direct cremation does not allow any time before the cremation to hold services, you might want to choose another option if family members are wanting to hold a funeral or viewing. Also, take into consideration any religious beliefs of the deceased. Some religions have very strong rules about how a body should be cremated and when. Make sure this option does not violate any of the rules.

If you are still unsure if direct cremation is right for your loved one, or you have questions about cremation services in Cleveland Heights, OH., in general, feel free to call or come by anytime as we are always here to help if you need pre-arrangements. See our testimonials.

Tools for Grief: Journaling

Grief affects us all in various ways. And, due to this, we all process and work though it in our own manner. However, there is one thing we can all do and gain benefits from and that is journaling. Directors at funeral homes in Cleveland Heights, OH. understand the importance of processing your grief and explain how journaling can help and how you can get started

When you hear the word “journaling”, you might imagine and young teen sitting on their bed writing in a book that always starts “Dear diary”. However, journaling has been shown to provide benefits for those who have suffered grief or trauma and be very therapeutic in this cases.

The act of journaling allows us to express ourselves freely. It provides an opportunity to reflect on your mood and emotions and can provide us with insights about both. It also allows some distance between you and your thoughts and words which can often time lead to a different perspective or realizations.

To Get Started

It’s easy to get started journaling. All you need is a notebook and a pen or pencil. Any notebook will do but if you would like to make your journal more special you could shop online or at your local bookstore as they have several different journal options.

Once you have your journal you are ready to write. You may feel awkward at first, especially if you have never journaled before. Don’t worry. It gets easier and more natural with time. To help you get started, here are some tips:

Find a nice, comfortable, quiet place to write
Try and write the same time each day as this will help in making it a regular habit
Don’t worry about what to write, just write
You don’t have to only write. You could add drawings, lists, doodles, really anything that comes to your mind.
Don’t judge what you are writing. Just write and let it all out on the paper. This journal is for your eyes only.

Not Sure What to Write?

Often times, just starting to write can be the most difficult part. Once you start, you will see that typically, the writing just flows. If you are having trouble starting, you can search online for “journal prompts” and you will see a many choices for things to write about. If you are still stuck, you could write about:

What you have learned about yourself since your loved one passed
One of your favorite memories you and your loved one shared
What you miss about your loved one
Plans for your future (days. months, or years away)

Final Thoughts

Writing in a journal is one of the easiest things you can do to help you process your grief and work though it in a health way. Even though it may feel awkward at first, it will get easier, and you may find you even look forward to your journaling time of the day. Just remember to let yourself write freely and don’t judge or hold back. After you make arrangements or your loved one with funeral homes in Cleveland Heights, OH, journaling can truly be a great tool to use. Call us now.

Planning a Casting Ceremony for Your Loved One

With cremation services in Bedford, OH. rising each year in popularity, more people are choosing to have casting ceremonies. Also called ash scattering ceremonies, these events can be small, private services for family only to big public celebrations where everyone is welcome. They take place where the remains will be released but that could be anywhere from someone’s backyard to a national park or even on a boat on the ocean. If you are considering a casting ceremony for a loved one, keep reading for steps to help you plan the perfect event.

Set the Location

If your loved one had any last wishes or preplanned their final arrangements, they may have stated where they would like their remains to be released. If not, you will need to decide on a location.

To set the location, think about your loved one and where they loved spending time. Maybe they were an avid hiker and could always be found on the trails at national or state park. Maybe they adored and found great comfort in the ocean. Maybe it was a family home or land where they enjoyed spending time. Think of where they would like to be released and set the destination.

Check Rules and Regulations

While most places allow releasing of remains, often times there are rules you will need to follow or permits you may need to obtain. For example, in national parks you can scatter the ashes, but they must not be around any developed areas such as trails or campground. Also, you cannot leave any type of marker at the site. If you are scattering them at sea it must be at least two nautical miles away from any land.

Whatever you decide, reach out to the location directly to check what needs to be done and what rules should be followed.

Plan the Ceremony Format

A casting ceremony can follow any format you wish. Some families may choose to use elements you would find in a memorial service such as a reading of the obituary and a eulogy given. Other families may choose to keep it more casual and joyous like a celebration of life event. How you choose to hold the ceremony is entirely up to you.

Releasing the Ashes

The remains can be released in the ceremony a number of ways. First, you can release them as part of the ceremony or at the end. Second, you could choose to have just one family member release all of the remains or several family members could each have a portion to release.

Also, note that it is important to pay attention to the wind direction as you don’t want to release them only to have them blown into a person or object.

Final Thoughts

Having a casting ceremony after you loved one’s cremation services in Bedford, OH. can be a very therapeutic event. Not only are you honoring your loved one while being surrounded by friends and family, but the act of letting the remains go and seeing them return into nature can bring comfort and aid in your healing journey. Reach out to us.

Maintaining Your Loved One’s Gravesite

Your loved one’s gravesite is special. It is their final resting place as well as the place to visit when you want to feel close to them. Making sure their gravesite and headstone are properly maintained can help ensure the site stays beautiful for generations to come. While cemeteries have grounds keepers that can maintain the grounds on a daily basis, there are also things you can do to beautify the space. Director of funeral homes in Bedford, OH. have these tips.

Cleaning the Headstone

The headstone is a prominent feature at any gravesite. Overtime these headstones can start to show signs of decay and weathering. They may also have things like moss and mold attached to them. Depending on the material of the headstone, you may need different supplies or a different cleaning technique. Some popular materials and the best method of cleaning are:

Marble Headstones
Start by soaking the stone with water. This can be done by using a spray bottle, hose, or bucket.
Create a mixture of ammonium hydroxide and water at a 1:4 ratio. Then, using a soft bristled brush apply the mixture and gently scrub the headstone.
Rinse the headstone thoroughly with water

Granite, Sandstone, Slate Headstones
Soak the entire headstone with clean water
Use a non-ionic detergent and mix one ounce to 5 gallons of water
Use a soft bristled brush and gently scrub the headstone
Make sure to rinse completely with clean water

Maintaining the Site

The grounds keepers at the cemetery will maintain the property by mowing grass, trimming trees, etc., but the maintenance of the individual sites is many times left to the families. Make sure the site is kept clean by performing things like weeding the site, trimming any grass edges, attending to any plantings, etc. Other things include:

Raking leaves
Picking up sticks or other debris
Add grass seeds to any bare patches
Water the site

Ensure You Follow Cemetery Rules

If you would like to add items to the gravesite, check first to make sure they are allowed. Some cemeteries have rules and regulations on hat items can and cannot be left. You don’t want to have the site decorated with a flag or other marker only to come the following week to see it has been taken down.

The same goes for flowers and vases. Many cemeteries do not allow glass or other materials of vases as they can break and cause a safety hazard. Instead, they may have a vase to use or prefer you simply wrap the flowers with twine or other organic material.

Directors of funeral homes in Bedford, OH. understand your loved one’s gravesite is a special place and know you want to give it the love and attention it deserves. If you are unable to maintain the site due to location or other reasons, there are options for extra services from the cemetery as well as other providers who, for a fee, will maintain the site for you.

How to Create a Sympathy Care Package

If you have a friend that is grieving after their loved one’s cremation services in Bedford Heights, OH. what do you do? You want to show your love and support, but it can be tough knowing what your friend needs. This can be especially difficult if you live out of town and are not able to travel to be with your friend. You have options of sending a card or flowers, and while those are great options, sending a care package can really go above and beyond.

Although there are several companies that offer pre-made care packages, creating one yourself can be so much more meaningful. If you are not crafty or have no idea what to include, we are going to share these ideas to help inspire you.

Everyday Essentials

While cleaning supplies, toilet paper and toothpaste don’t seem very exciting to you, they can be welcomed items to your friend. Often times when we grieve the last thing we want to do is get dressed and drive to the corner store when we run out of something. Having essential items in your care package can really help your friend out. Some other essentials you could add include:

Lip balm
Laundry detergent
Dish soap
Shampoo/conditioner
Body soap
Trash bags

Items to Help Process Grief

Everybody processes and handles grief in their own way, but being able to have an outlet can help in healing. This outlet could be anything from drawing to writing in a journal to going for a hike.

Think about your friend and what they may enjoy and benefit from. If they are creative you could add in some paints and a canvas. If they are an avid jogger, include some new headphones and a suggested playlist. If they love to read, perhaps there is a book you can include that they can relate to.

Keep Them Nourished

Your friend is most likely not thinking about (or having the motivation to) cook anything to eat. They may not even be eating much at all. Make sure they stay nourished by adding in easy to eat foods such as protein and granola bars, nuts, popcorn, chips, dried fruit, etc. Also, if you can, include meals that are already cooked and just need to he reheated. This way your friend will have plenty of easy, fast, healthy options.

Send Them Comfort

Sending them items for comfort can go a long way in making your friend feel calm and loved. Items like fuzzy socks, a weighted blanket, a stuffed animal to cuddle with, scented candles, nice body lotions, and bath bombs can help soothe and relax your friend. You could also include:

Face and eye masks
Eucalyptus shower bouquet
Lavender room spray
A Luxurious loofa or other shower products

Final Thoughts

Sending a personalized care package to your friend when they are grieving after their loved one’s cremation services in Bedford Heights, OH. is such a welcomed gift. Adding in items that they can use will not only help them during this difficult time but remind them that you are there for them and they have your love and support. Reach out to us now and make a prearrangements now.

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Cleaning the Headstone