Baby Boomers have never followed tradition, and planning their funerals is no exception. Those born between 1946 and 1965, a time when birth rates increased dramatically, have always wanted to do things their way. Funeral directors are anticipating, with a bit of macabre excitement, the exit of a giant generation. Because of declining death rates, ...
My grandmother’s funeral stands out in my memory. Young and beautiful, she had died unexpectedly in a car accident at the age of 42. The funeral was elaborate. So was the casket. My mother said it was guaranteed for fifty years, that my grandmother’s body would not decay. I didn’t say anything — heck, I ...
The late Jerry Falwell once joked that the work of the pastor was to hatch, patch, match and dispatch. I would have to agree. As a minister, perform all of those four functions in the life of the church. Hatch: I visit people following the birth of children. Patch: I visit people during and following ...
Funerals are a time of high emotion and it isn’t unusual for guests to feel a little overwhelmed by the customs and expectations. Sending funeral, or sympathy, flowers is a common tradition in the United States. Although there are no hard and fast rules for sending a gift of flowers, many people are concerned about ...
I know most people do not really want to talk about death and dying or what happens when someone dies, but have you ever wondered about embalming? Maybe you were afraid to ask. Well, if you really want to know what embalming is, if it is required by law, and what about the cost, read ...