Posts

Showing posts from 2020

Coping With Grief Over The Holidays

Image
  Most people love the holiday season. They look forward to meeting their friends and family, celebrating life with them. Unfortunately, these festivities can be stifling if you are grieving for a lost loved one. At Simply Cremations, we recommend taking a few steps to ensure the season doesn't overwhelm you. Here are some tips that can help: 1. Take A Break Take a break away from a familiar environment, especially if your house feels empty without your lost family member. A long drive will provide a pleasant distraction and a trip to a pretty winter cabin will keep you away from the holiday festivities. Ask a friend or family member to accompany you because being alone may not be the right choice. 2. Say No Many people feel obligated to attend parties or special events for the sake of friends and family, even when they're grieving. Learn to say no when you're not feeling up to social interaction. If you want to attend parties, make sure there's some breathing r

What to Expect After a Cremation Takes Place

Image
Many people are opting for cremation rather than burial these days. They are an eco-friendly, simple and affordable option but most aren’t aware of what they entail. At Simply Cremations we like to keep clients informed about all the technicalities involved in the process and here we talk about what you can expect after a cremation takes place.   Should You Opt For Burial Or Cremation? A burial is very different from a cremation. The latter can be completed within two to three hours as heat is used to disintegrate the mortal remains. In a burial, on the other hand, the body decomposition can easily take a year or longer. When a person is cremated, the ashes are put in a container or urn and can be transported very easily to wherever you want. It is also an environment-friendly option compared to a traditional burial. What Happens After Cremation? This is what happens post cremation: The decedent’s body is cremated inside a chamber and the cremains are then cooled after which th

What to Expect Before a Cremation Takes Place?

Image
  Cremations are an excellent alternative to conventional burials. They offer many benefits and are getting quite common nowadays. Many people aren’t aware of all the preplanning and other various activities involved before cremation. At Simply Cremations we like to provide clients with information about the various services that we offer.   This information can help you know what to expect before a cremation takes place. 1. Always Pre-Book It is always preferred to do some background research about the funeral home you are opting for. You can also look for reviews or ask around about ones with good experience. After the selection is done you should always check for your preferred dates and get your spot booked. This gives you the time to manage other things accordingly. 2. Buy An Urn Although an urn isn’t compulsory, it is preferred by many. You should buy an urn beforehand. If you don’t want to store the remains in an urn, opt for any other container. You can also buy an urn

Financial Benefits Of Pre-Planning Your Funeral

Image
  Today, various funeral homes provide pre-planning services. It means people can plan their memorial and funerals well in advance. This is a good option because pre-planning offers various benefits. You can get the kind of funeral service you want while enjoying financial advantages. Some of the things that you can expect, include: The costs of a funeral keep rising, it and they can easily double over a few years. Whenever you are pre-planning a funeral, the costs mentioned in the contract would be based on the current rates. It means that you can save a lot of money by avoiding the possibility of inflated prices down the track. It is tough for family members to make any financial decisions properly when they are grieving. People are in a very emotional state of mind at that point in time and feel that they aren't spending enough, and they end up spending much more than they intended on the funeral. However, if you have pre-planned your funeral, you would pay a specific amount, an

How to Plan a Meaningful Memorial Service

Image
  Memorial services bring the entire family together so they can grieve, find comfort in one another, and honor a loved one’s memory. A meaningful service can help with the healing process, allowing people to say their final goodbyes and accept the loss. At Simply Cremations, we have experienced funeral directors and staff members that can help you plan the best service possible. Here are some tips to consider: 1. Follow the Deceased’s Wishes   Many people leave instructions or pre-plan their funeral service. Following a deceased loved one’s wishes is the best way to honor them. Check to see if they have left behind any written instructions or mentioned their wishes to family members. You should also get in touch with local funeral homes to see if they have any plans in place. 2. Personalize the Memorial Service Personalize the service incorporating what the deceased into the memorial service. For example, if your loved one was fond of a particular band, play appropriate songs

Modern Ways to Memorialize a Loved One

Image
Humans form deep connections with their friends and family. Even death doesn't break this connection and you continue to remember a loved one for a long time. Many family members memorialize a deceased individual in unique and meaningful ways. At Simply Cremations, we encourage this practice as it can help with the healing process. Here’s a look at some of the most modern ways to memorialize a loved one: 1. Planting a Tree We’re all concerned about the environment and want to do our part to lighten the burden on our planet. Planting a tree in a loved one’s name is a great way to memorialize them and contribute to a good cause. Trees can last for decades, if not centuries. They will continue to grow and thrive even after you are gone, which makes them a perfect memorial. A representation of your loved one will linger on this earth for a long time if you plant a tree in their name. 2. Donate What better way to memorialize a loved one than to help others in their nam

Coping With the Death of a Sibling

Image
The relationship you have with your sibling can be complicated and loving all at once. However, most siblings share a strong and unique bond. If you are dealing with the death of a sibling, it can be quite a stressful time. There are different ways in which you can cope with the end of a brother or sister, and here we take a look at some of them. Some Tips There are times when sibling relationships can have unresolved issues, resentment, and competitiveness. The person who is left behind may struggle with guilt and also feel that they do not deserve to grieve that loss. No matter how complicated a relationship you have had with your sister or brother, you must take the time to grieve and accept the loss. Sometimes, when the entire family is reeling from the death, siblings can find it challenging to focus on their pain. In such situations, friends can prove to be a great solace. Since they are not directly related to the decedent, you can lean on them and un

Grief Amid The Pandemic: How To Show Love And Support Through Social Distancing

Image
A global pandemic is a trying time for everyone, but it can be especially difficult for people who are still grieving or have lost someone recently. These individuals need ample support to ensure they are on the right road to recovery. Unfortunately, providing support can be difficult when you are practicing social distancing or are in isolation. At Simply Cremations, we recommend taking the steps mentioned below to show your support: 1. Maintain Communication The first step is to maintain communication because even a simple phone call helps. You don’t need to call every day or actually speak with the grieving individual. Modern technology lets people communicate in different ways so you can email, chat, call, or video call an individual. Chatting is a great way to communicate if you don't have time but want to keep people engaged. Calling provides more direct contact, helping people feel more connected. 2. Listen to What They Say Sometimes grieving individuals ju

Top Tips on Staying Safe in Public During the Pandemic

Image
Social distancing and isolation is the best way to stay safe during the coronavirus outbreak, but sometimes you need to step out. At Simply Cremations, we encourage people to take every precaution necessary to be safe. Here are some tips that can help you do just that: 1. Maintain Distance Maintain around 6 feet of distance with other people and avoid confined places like crowded elevators or small rooms if possible. Many experts speculate that the virus can linger in the air in aerosol form for a few minutes in confined places so you may inhale it unknowingly. 2. Avoid Touching Your Face Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes while you’re out in public. Most people have to touch items like door handles, cash, credit cards, products, etc, while they’re out. The best way to avoid the virus getting into your body is to keep your hands away from vulnerable areas. 3. Wear a Mask Wear a mask if you have the slightest cough or cold. While experts are still di

How to Write an Obituary Notice?

Image
Writing an obituary can be challenging, especially if you have never done it before and are still dealing with the pain of loss. At Simply Cremations and Funeral Services, we have often advised clients and offered tips to help with getting it right. A good obituary is compassionate, personal, and informative. Here are some tips on how to write a good obituary notice: 1. Include Essential Information The first step is to include essential information that will help people recognize the deceased. Here’s what you need to include: T he deceased’s name Their place and time of birth Their place and time of death Permanent residence Names of close family members Occupation or designation Mention of rank and branch if they were in the military Make sure all the information is accurate and include the deceased’s full name. You can also mention any nicknames to ensure people recognize them easily. 2. Funeral Arrangements Information You will need to include inf

Cremation vs. Burial - How to Decide Which is Best

Image
Most people struggle to decide whether cremation or burial is the right choice for their loved one. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, which is why it is necessary to understand both of these processes clearly before choosing on. At Simply Cremations, we are always willing to help clients make the decision. Our funeral director will explain the pros and cons of these options in detail so you can make an informed choice. Here’s a look at some tips that can also help: What Happens with the Body? The main difference between burial and cremation is the condition of the body. In a traditional funeral, a person's body is buried in the ground inside a casket. The body slowly decomposes over time, but the remains can linger for a long time. Cremation is different because the entire body is burned and the remaining bone fragments are all ground to create ash. This ash is placed inside an urn and given to the family. You can bury, scatter, or store the ashe

Understanding the Stages of Grief

Image
Grief is a complex emotion, and it isn't easy to determine how it affects everyone. Some people are very expressive about their grief, while others hold their pain close. Many psychologists have attempted to understand how grief works. One of the most popular studies published on this topic is by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, who described five stages of grief. Here’s a brief look at what they mean: 1. Denial People's first reaction is to reject death. They immediately deny it happened, even after being warned about it. This denial can last for several days and linger for months in different forms. For example, it isn't common for people to 'hear' a deceased loved one's voice often or even 'feel' their presence. 2. Anger Grieving individuals go through turbulent emotions like frustration, rage, helplessness, and anger shortly after the loss. Death is inevitable, and it can make humans feel powerless. Anger is a natural response to this. 3. B