Activities for Seniors to Bring Joy and Enrich Daily Life

Forty years ago it was commonly expected that an obituary for a loved one would be published in the print newspapers in the community or communities where the deceased resided for any length of time. But the continued decline in readership, due in large part to the Internet, has greatly affected this long-standing tradition. In fact, today's newspapers are changing the way they deal with obituary submissions: while some local newspapers publish obituaries or death notices at no charge to the family; others demand a rather significant publication fee, based on word count or the number of column inches used, and there is usually an extra fee for any photographs submitted for inclusion.Today, There's the InternetFortunately, online memorials have taken the place of the print obituary or death notice, and our funeral home offers what we consider to be the finest example of online memorials, the Book of Memories. Created by a team of award-winning web developers and designers lead by a funeral professional with over 25 years of experience, the Book of Memories is intended to provide your family with a permanent place to pay tribute to your loved one.Far more than a traditional obituarywhich is usually published only once and has no interactivity at allthe Book of Memories Memorial Website is a fully-interactive archive of treasured photographs and stories remembered from their time spent with friends, family, neighbors and co-workers.You'll be able to invite others to visit the online memorial, where they can upload images, share stories, write heart-felt messages of condolence, send a floral tribute to the funeral, or make a charitable donation in memory of your loved one. And the built-in social media integration means they can then spread the word about their addition to your loved ones Book of Memories using Facebook and Twitter.We offer the families we serve a Book of Memories memorial website with the intention that it gives you a measure of solace and comfort during the coming months. To arrange for a Book of Memories memorial website for your loved one, call us today.

Could there be anything more difficult than preparing for a funeral? Certainly, such an end-of-life event is hard to look forward to with any great enthusiasm. And it doesn't matter if you're a member of the bereaved inner circle of close family, a co-worker, neighbor or family friend; preparing for a funeral service takes time and forethought.If you're preparing to attend a funeral, memorial service, or celebration of life, the following tips and suggestions can certainly help in your funeral preparations. Naturally, if you have any questions about preparing for a funeral, you should call us. We would be pleased to serve you in any way we can.What Does "Get Prepared" Really Mean?There's a line in William Shakespeare's play "Henry V", which cuts to the heart of preparedness: "All things are ready, if our mind be so." Readying your mind means strengthening it for what's ahead: all the people, sights, sounds and strong emotions of the day. In other words, getting ready to attend an end-of-life service is not just a matter of picking out the right clothes to wear; it's also essential to prepare physically, mentally and emotionally for the occasion. After all, you are going to be there to support the bereaved family, as well as the others who attend; and that takes inner strength and emotional fortitude. Never underestimate the importance of your presence thereto everyone in attendance. To make it simple for you to find the information you need, we've grouped those details together under two headings: Dressing for the Occasion and Getting Physically, Mentally and Emotionally Prepared.Dressing the OccasionWhat is expected of us when attending a funeral service today is far different from the expectations of those living in the Victorian era. According to Alison Petch, a researcher Oxford University, "In those years, black clothing was worn for the funeral and for a year following the death...by close relatives, gradually being replaced by other dark colors." As we moved into the twentieth century, the Roman and Victorian demands became less strict. "People attending a funeral wore semi-formal clothing, which for adult men would usually mean a suit and tie in dark colors". Without a doubt, these strict special dress requirements have fallen by the wayside, at least to some degree. Although many websites proclaim that black is the right color to wear for a funeral today, wearing a color other than black isn't seen as disrespectful; but you want to avoid wearing brightly colored or wildly patterned fabrics (unless actually requested to do so by the family). And for women or girls, a modest appearance is preferred. Certainly, if you've got additional questions about what to wear to a funeral, call us.Get Physically, Mentally, and Emotionally PreparedThe death of a loved one is among the most stressful experiences we will ever endure. The early days of bereavement, are a time of frayed nerves, when emotions run high and hours of restful sleep are hard to find. These difficult days are then followed by the funeral service (where, even though you're grief stricken, you're expected to perform with some social grace). How can you possibly survive; or better yet thrive, during such trials as these? Here are some suggestions we believe you'll find valuable.Maintain a state of "mindful awareness."The tendency when something bad happens to us, like the death of a loved one, is to detach from our physical, emotional and social selves. To "get numb, and stay that way" - but this effort to separate ourselves from what's happening isn't always in our best interest. Instead, you should seek to be "mindful": to keep your awareness on the present moment (not the past, and certainly not the future); all the while acknowledging (and accepting) your feelings, thoughts, and bodily reactions to your loss. Only then can you, in the words of Reinhold Niebuhr's Serenity Prayer, accept the things that cannot be changed, have the courage to change the things which can (and should) be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. Certainly, you cannot change the fact your loved one has died; but you can change (at least to some degree) the way you react to the lossand that takes a certain sense of mindful self-awareness.Do everything you can to stay physically healthy.The list of physical symptoms of grief is long: fatigue, body aches and pains, loss or change of appetite, shortness of breath, digestive issues, feelings of heaviness, and tightness in your throat or chest. When faced with an onslaught of physical symptoms like these, it's hard to know exactly how to deal with them. The first step is to recognize and name what your body is experiencing. Only then can you do something to change the way you're reacting to the loss. During these days before the funeral: Stay hydrated: drink eight (8 ounce) glasses of water. Eat regularly: small meals and snacks are often better-accepted than large, calorie-laden ones. Rest regularly: you may find nights are long and sleepless, so don't be adverse to taking short cat-naps throughout the day. Move your body: take a walk or hike, go to the gym, or enjoy a leisurely swim. Nurture your senses: listen to music or the sounds that abound in nature. Engage in prayer or meditation: tap into, or get reacquainted with, your spiritual side. Reduce your list of necessary activities and chores: now is the time to delegate tasks to others, so you can devote your time to self-care. Reach out to your support network.Neighbours, friends and family members can be your lifeline right nowand some of them may even be coming to you right now to see how they can help. Don't turn them away; instead, give them the opportunity to give the gift of service. Allow them to walk this path with you for as long as, and in whatever ways, they can. The same goes for the network of professional caregivers: don't neglect to turn to clergy, your family physician, therapist, or grief counsellor if you feel your bereavement to be more than you can handle (now, or at any time in the future).Prepare to speak less and listen more.End-of-life ceremonies (whether a "traditional" funeral, memorial service or celebration of life) offer those gathered the chance to share their feelings, tell stories and take comfort from one another. Don't spend too much time talking, unless it's to share something truly meaningful (about the deceased and your relationship to him or her) with others; instead, be ready to listen with a whole heart. This is a time for respectful interactions with other mourners; a time for focusing on the life of the deceased, and also a time for renewing the ties which brought you all together in the first place.Let Us Help with Your Preparations Who better to turn to for assistance in preparing for a funeral? We've got the experience and insights which could make this situation easier for you and those you love. If you have questions about preparing for a funeral serviceeither as a member of the family or as a guestwe're here to support you in any way we can. We're standing at the ready; simply call us.

Take care of all the funeral pre-arrangement details and give you and your family the peace-of-mind you deserve.The Basics of PlanningHere's a break-down of the process: Set goals Review limitations Look at available options Weigh the pros and cons of each option Talk to others about the best options Arrive at a final decision In the case of funeral pre-arrangement, another two important steps are involved: Write out your plan with as many details as possible. Send your plan to the funeral home and provide a copy to your executor. There are two ways for you to complete your funeral pre-arrangement plan.Using the Online Pre-Planning ToolLegacy Options's website features Pre-Arrange Online, an online form that can be used to record your end-of-life plan and send the completed form to our staff for safekeeping.Turn to the Professionals Many people are more comfortable making these decisions with funeral professionals. If you would like us to help, call us or send us an email using the Contact Us form.