Saturday, January 26, 2013

The Only Constant is...Change.

Recently, I read a quote that said:  "The only constant is change, continuing change, inevitable change, that is the dominant factor in society today.  No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be."  (Isaac Asimov).  Indeed, the world in which we live is constantly changing, and as it changes people also change, as do long held traditions and the symbolism that goes along with those traditions.

The traditional funeral service has changed with the times.  The traditional symbolic nature of the funeral, and burial service has also changed and evolved. Those who remember the funeral services of the 60's and 70's can tell you that they probably wore black, the symbolic color of mourning to the funeral service, sent the traditional gift of flowers to the family, and attended a visitation and a service, where the deceased was most likely present, giving families one last opportunity to say goodbye and pay their respects.  With time, and significant changes in our culture, the symbolism of the funeral has become less important, and families have chosen different ways to honor their loved one.  Cremation has become a celebrated, and more accepted practice.  Many choose to have the deceased present in spirit only when having a memorial service, the cremated remains present, or choose to skip the memorial service all together. Many families choose to have a "Life Celebration", a memorial service that celebrates, rather than mourns their loved one.  There is even a new show on TLC that came out recently called, "Best Funeral Ever", where families find outrageous and fun ways to honor their loved ones instead of spending time grieving their death. While each family is different, the most important thing to remember is that there is no "right way" to honor a loved one in the event of their death.  The most important thing loved ones can do is to find ways to celebrate the life they lived, while also finding time to grieve their death, which is an important part of healing and finding closure. 

As you ponder the many decisions that need to be made in the event of a loved ones death, here are a few questions you can ask, or discuss:  What was most important to my loved one?  What kinds of things did he/she like?  What passions or hobbies did he/she have?  What is his/her heritage?  Was religion or spirituality important to him/her?  What are some ways that we can celebrate his/her legacy?  What are some meaningful memories that we can share about him/her?  What are some significant challenges he/she had to overcome? How can we best remember what type of person he/she was? What kind of Legacy did he/she leave?  How can we best honor this Legacy in a memorial or funeral service?  The possibilities are endless, and although overwhelming at times, the funeral or memorial service can go a long way in helping us to heal after the loss of a loved one, and move on knowing that we have honored them in a way that they would have loved and appreciated. 

At Legacy Funeral Home, we consider it our job to keep up with the changing and evolving nature of funeral service.  Whether your family chooses to have a traditional funeral service, or a more modern "Life Celebration", whether you choose burial or cremation, whether you choose to have a memorial service, or a simple direct cremation--no matter what you choose, we are here to support you.  Only you can decide what kind of funeral service will matter most to your family, and to your loved one. Only you can decide what type of special touches will make the service your own.  Our job is to be there for you, the family during this difficult time, and facilitate the process in a compassionate and caring manner.  Our motto is:  Honoring a life well lived, and the Legacy left behind.  That is exactly what we are here to help you do.

Friday, January 18, 2013

What's in a Name?


When we were choosing a name for our Funeral Home, we put a lot of thought into the families we would be serving, and what they would look for when they were choosing a Funeral provider.  The name Legacy Funeral Home came after much thought, research, and prayer.  Legacy is a powerful, and meaningful word when it comes to the loss of a loved one.

In the dictionary, Legacy is defined as: Anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor.  We all will leave a Legacy, good or bad, when we leave this world.  The great thing about your Legacy, is that it can be anything you want it to be!  Your Legacy can be the memory of your laughter, the softness of your touch, the sweetness of your kiss.  Your Legacy is the kind words you have spoken, the care that you gave to a loved one, or a child, the listening ear you were always willing to lend.  Your Legacy can be your generous heart, your giving spirit, your devotion to family, or to God.  

The greatest Legacy is knowing that when you leave this world, those who remember you will remember you for what you were when you lived, not when you died.  Even though mourning your loved ones death is an important and meaningful tradition in funeral care, at Legacy Funeral Home we also want to provide you with a chance to remember and celebrate your loved ones Legacy.  It is this Legacy that lives on...far after we are gone.