Monthly Archives: February 2019

Care-Givers and Loss

Being a care-giver can be one of the most selfless things to be, but it can make the death of the person for whom you were caring especially difficult. Care-givers tend to be people who help others but do not know how to necessarily help themselves through the grief of a death. If you have just lost the person you provided care for, you need to know how to help yourself. Funeral home directors, who have seen this kind of struggle often, have a few suggestions that can make a difference.

It is vital that you take time to accept the loss. Many care-givers make themselves so busy dealing with funerary arrangements and with consoling other people after the death, that they do not allow themselves time to process the loss. After the person dies, take at least a few hours to acknowledge the death and what it means for you. This will help you get closure in a way that pushing the acknowledgement aside cannot.

Allow yourself to ask for help. Care-givers are so used to providing help that they sometimes do not know how to request it. If you are finding it difficult to get through the day because of grief, reach out to somebody. Share what you are feeling and let them comfort you. This may not seem like a big thing to do, but it can actually be cathartic to allow someone to help you.

It is common to feel relief after the death of the person you cared for. Care-givers tend to feel guilty about feeling relief, but it is completely natural. It is likely that the person who died was ill for a long time, possibly in pain, so it is a completely natural response to feel like a weight has been lifted. Instead of feeling guilty for this, allow yourself to experience the relief.

Take care of yourself. It may be tempting to go without food or much rest as you worry about helping other people through grief, but you cannot help anyone if you get ill. Take the time to eat nutritious meals, to drink plenty of water, and to get a good amount of rest. This will help you stay strong and deal with the grief in a manner that does not affect your health.

Being a care-giver does not mean having to be strong all the time. After a death, you need to allow yourself to grieve and to ask for help if you need it. If you find yourself struggling a lot and not being able to go through your everyday life, it is always a good idea to consider a grief counselor. You can find excellent ones by contacting the funeral home in Walkerton, IN that provides the arrangements for your loved one. They always have information on local counselors. Reach out to a funeral home like Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, located at 2900 Monroe St La Porte, IN 46350. Speak with the director for more information by calling (219) 362-2828.

Options for Cremated Remains

If you have recently lost a loved one and are starting to make decisions about funerary arrangements, cremation is probably an option you are considering. You may be wondering, however, what options are available for the remains once they have been cremated. There are actually a lot of choices and here are some of the ones that cremations providers recommend considering.

One common option for cremated remains is to place them in a niche in a columbarium. This allows you to visit the urn at a cemetery, to place flowers or other tokens by the niche, and can provide the sense of closure that many people need. Most cemeteries have columbarium options, and some even have niches that can accommodate companion urns or two urns in the same space. If you want a more traditional handling of cremated remains, this is usually the right choice.

Another excellent option is to scatter the remains. There can be a sense of closure and relief that comes from the process, which is why so many people opt for it. Most locations allow for the scattering of cremated remains, but if you would like to do so on private property, you do need to ask for permission from the owners. If in doubt in public locations like parks, ask the city if it is allowed.

Water burials are another excellent choice. For these, you will need to purchase a biodegradable urn, which can be made of clay, salt, wicker, and even seaweed, so that the urn does not pollute the ocean or river. Most cremation providers have these kinds of urns available, but if they do not there are many online providers that do. If your loved one enjoyed the ocean, why not consider this option for their remains?

Most people do not realize that you can bury cremated remains, as well. Cemeteries usually have a designated location in which you can purchase a small plot for an urn. This can be a way of satisfying the wishes of the person who wanted to be cremated as well as the wishes of those in the family who wanted a grave to visit. Be sure to ask the cemeteries you are considering to see if they can provide this option.

These are just some of the choices you have available for cremated remains. From burying the urn to scattering the ashes, you can always find something that fits your budget and your preferences. It is always a good idea to consult with the entire family and with the provider of cremations in La Porte, IN that you are hiring. They can offer suggestions and make arrangements for you if that is what you want. Choose to work with a reliable company that will go out of their way to help you, like Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center. To get started, stop by their location at 2900 Monroe St La Porte, IN 46350 or reach out to them by calling (219) 362-2828 now.

How to Plan a Cremation

As with any funerary arrangements, planning a cremation can be a stressful prospect. Not only will you be dealing with the grief that comes from losing someone, but you will also have to be making decisions and arrangements of all sorts. If you are worried about the process and you are not sure where to begin planning a cremation in Chesterton, IN, here are some steps that can help you through the process.

The first thing you need to do is to choose the right provider. This may seem like a simple, quick step, but it is not. You have to take your time choosing the company, since the right provider can make a huge difference throughout the process. Look for a company that has an experienced personnel and one that has good word of mouth reviews. Of course, if you are looking for a service like bio cremation, which is less common than direct cremation, you will also want to ensure that the provider can offer it.

After you have chosen the provider for the cremation, it can be a good idea to reach out to family and friends to see what they suggest for the cremated remains. Some people do leave their wishes in writing, but if your loved one did not, you will want to consider all of the different options you have available. You can scatter the remains, bury them, place them in a columbarium, and a number of other choices. This is why it can be a good idea to speak with your family to see what the consensus is.

You also need to decide on whether you will be having a funeral service or a memorial service. These services are very similar, but a funeral usually takes place before the cremation is done while a memorial occurs after. If you would like to get the cremation done as quickly as possible, then planning a memorial can be the best option. A memorial can also allow you move flexibility and let you plan the service without having to rush. Of course, some people choose not to have this kind of service, so do give yourself options before making any decision.

Decide on what kind of urn you want to purchase. Some people require only to take the remains to the site where they will be scattered, while others want to display them. Depending on what you want to do, one type of urn will be better than another.

By always reaching out to family and friends of the deceased, you can be sure that you make the kind of funerary arrangements that they would have wanted. Take the time to speak with the cremation provider you have chosen, since they can offer the guidance that you need to make the right decisions without too much stress. Reach out to a company like Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, which you can find at 2900 Monroe St La Porte, IN 46350. Speak with an expert now by calling (219) 362-2828.

Funeral Service Etiquette

If you have never attended a funeral service before it can be a daunting prospect to be invited to one. Many people do not know how to behave, what to wear, or what to say to the family who is grieving. To make this easier, funeral homes in New Buffalo, MI can offer some tips and suggestions that can make a difference.

One of the most important things to remember when attending a funeral services is to arrive on time. If you are someone who tends to be late a lot, give yourself plenty of time to get to the service. Someone arriving late will disturb the rest of the guests and can upset the people who are grieving their loved one. If it is unavoidable that you get there after the service has started, choose a seat at the back of the room so that you disturb as little as possible.

Attire is a concern for many people attending a funeral. In the past, black was the only acceptable color for a traditional service, but these days it is a little different. If you are attending a traditional funeral service, wear dark colors, like blue, green, gray, and yes, even black. Try not to wear anything with too many patterns or anything that will call attention to you and away from the real purpose of the service. A good rule of thumb is that if you could wear the outfit to church, you can wear it for a funeral service.

It is always considerate to bring a sympathy gift for the grieving family. This is a tradition that continues today, ensuring that the family who is in mourning knows that you are thinking of them. The gift does not have to be expensive or large. Many people choose flowers, while others bring meals. Some also have small tokens engraved with the deceased’s name, which they offer to those who are grieving.

When you speak with the family, it is important not to overwhelm them. They will be going through a difficult time and they will have lots of people to greet, so do not take up too much of their time. Offer your condolences and let them know that you are thinking of them and let them greet the next person.

Be sure to turn off your phone. If you are waiting for an important call, place the phone on silent so that you can feel it vibrate without disturbing other people. Hearing a phone ring during a service can be incredibly frustrating, so do take the time to consider this.

These tips can help you navigate a funeral service. Funeral homes will always remind you to do things like turn your phone off, but if you have other questions before the services starts, ask the director. To learn more, reach out to a funeral home like Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, located at 2900 Monroe St La Porte, IN 46350. Ask any questions you may have by calling (219) 362-2828.