Why you Should Have a Memorial and How to Choose the Right OneLosing a loved one is never easy. It is a time of immense emotional pain and grief. During this period, it is important to find ways to honor and remember the person who has passed away. One way to do this is by creating a memorial in their honor. In this blog post, we will explore why you should have a memorial and how to choose the right one.Why Have a Memorial?A memorial is a physical reminder of the person who has passed away. It provides a place for loved ones to gather and pay their respects, and it can serve as a symbol of the person's life and legacy. Here are some additional reasons why you should consider creating a memorial:Provides Comfort: Having a memorial can provide comfort to family and friends who are grieving. It gives them a physical place to visit and remember their loved ones.Honors the Person's Life:A memorial is a way to honor the person's life and legacy. It can be personalized to reflect their personality, interests and achievements.Creates a Lasting Tribute: A memorial is a lasting tribute to the person who has passed away. It ensures that their memory will live on for generations to come.Choosing the Right MemorialWhen it comes to choosing the right memorial, there are several factors to consider. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:Consider the Person's Wishes: If the person who has passed away expressed any wishes regarding their memorial, be sure to take them into consideration. This can include things like their preferred location, type of memorial and any specific design elements.Choose the Type of Memorial: There are many different types of memorials to choose from, including headstones, plaques, benches and statues. Consider what type of memorial would best reflect the person's personality and interests.Personalize the Memorial: Personalizing the memorial can make it more meaningful and reflective of the person's life. Consider adding their name, birth and death dates, a favorite quote or an image that represents their personality or interests.At Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery, we offer a wide range of memorial options to help you honor your loved one. From traditional headstones and mausoleums to cremation memorials and garden benches in a beautiful setting at 6100 Three Notch Road, Mobile, Alabama.  We have something to fit every need and budget. Our experienced staff can help guide you through the process of choosing the right memorial and personalizing it to reflect your loved one's life and legacy.In conclusion, creating a memorial is a meaningful way to honor and remember a loved one who has passed away. By taking the time to choose the right memorial and personalizing it to reflect the person's life, you can create a lasting tribute that will provide comfort and solace to family and friends for generations to come. At Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery, we are here to help you through this difficult time and guide you through the process of creating a beautiful and meaningful memorial for your loved one. We offer services such as pre-need planning, ground burial, cremation burial, and memorial and monuments.Contact Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery's friendly staff today at 251-661-1333 to learn more about our services how we can help you.

The coronavirus pandemic has fundamentally changed how we live, but perhaps even more heartbreaking, how we are able to grieve. Social distancing has prevented holding funerals or otherwise gathering to mourn the loss of our loved ones, and even a comforting touch or hug isnt safe.Other rituals have been disrupted as well. Jewish and Muslim religions state that there must be a disposition of a persons remains within 24 hours after death, but in many places this is not possible; there are delays as funeral homes, cemeteries and crematories struggle to keep up with the high number of COVD-19 deaths.We mourn the loss of loved ones, and also our many ways of saying goodbye: the Jewish tradition of sitting shiva, the week-long period in which friends and family visit those in mourning to offer condolences and provide comfort that dates back to biblical times; the Irish wake, simultaneously joyful and sad, when people share songs, drinks, and stories about the departed; the Islamic ritual washing of the deceaseds body; and countless others.Not being able to perform rituals [is] devastating for people, said psychologist Noe Kasali, director of the Bethesda Counseling Center. It prolongs their suffering.One family member expressed how unsettling the inability to gather in mourning his fathers passing is: It feels unreal, like it didnt happen.In response, funeral providers, communities, and families are finding alternative ways to be together to honor loved ones who have died.Technology is playing a big part. Mourners are gathering virtually via Zoom and Skype, the free video/audio communications platforms. Families are filming funerals live on Facebook, which allows not only loved ones to take part virtually, but also opens the experience to condolences from many in the shared experience of isolation. Some funeral homes are livestreaming services, so friends and family far away can participate.In a first-person story on cheddar.com, Max Godnick described a funeral held on Zoom for his grandmother, who passed away after complications from COVID-19, as the most meaningful, spiritual, intimate, and inspiring funeral Ive ever been to. The moment encapsulated the best of social media playing out in real-time. I was provided a window into my familys global network of love and support separated by distance but brought together by a single purpose and Zoom grid view.Just like so many other families around the world right now, mine learned just how hard it is to lose a loved one without being able to see them, be with them, or say goodbye in their final days, Godnick said.Others are creating new ways of honoring those theyve lost. In County Kerry, Ireland, neighbors lined the mile-long road from the church to the graveyard to say goodbye to their friend Betty Ryan, careful to maintain safe distance between one another. A beautiful tribute and great example of community spirit, one observer said.Closer to home, in Louisville, KY, a family held a drive-by funeral procession. One by one, cars stopped in front of the home of John Renn Jr. and tossed flowers, held signs at the car windows, and smiled and waved at the family.What a time were living in right now, said Renns nephew, Rick Obst. Everybody needs a hug, but throwing tragedy on top of it? These kinds of celebrations have to be done and can be done. Were trying to set an example, hopefully, of how we can do this the best way and still stay safe from the coronavirus.Many families who may have been debating whether to choose burial or cremation for a loved one are now choosing cremation already the choice of more than half in the US. This gives the option of scheduling a memorial service at a later date; also, in a tightened economy, cost has become a bigger consideration, since cremation is about one-third the price of burial.Its important to find connection in whatever ways you can, said Megan Devine, a therapist, grief advocate, and author. Even starting a text thread with close friends to talk about the person youve lost can be helpful.Other alternative mourning rituals:Talk to people. Reach out to your social support network family and friends through phone calls, emails, and video platforms. While physically separated, staying connected, talking and sharing stories about your loved one, can help alleviate the feeling of being alone in your grief.Create and express. There are so many ways to pay a personal tribute to your loved one, and art is both healing and a release. Write about or to them, or journal about how youre feeling. Cook their favorite meal. Plant a tree or flowers in their memory. Read their favorite book, listen to their favorite music, or watch their favorite movie. On social media, you can create a Facebook or Instagram page dedicated to them, and invite others to contribute or share their memories as well. Do an art or music project that youll be able to share with loved ones when youre together.Plan a memorial service for later. In a time of uncertainty, it can be deeply healing to make plans for what youll do in the future, when youll again be surrounded by family and friends who will join you in honoring this special person. Rather than thinking of a tribute as being canceled, you can use this extra time to plan something special.Ask for help. If youre struggling, there are grief resources you can go to for support. The Dougy Center, Grief.com and Grief Resource Network offer groups and programs; you can also subscribe to the Neptune Societys free bereavement series, 12 Weeks of Peace.Most important, dont deny your grief. Even if, in the time following your loved ones death, you cant mourn and celebrate their life in the way you wish, acknowledge your feelings of loss and sadness. In the midst of this larger crisis, when you may be overwhelmed by fear and anxiety, its not healthy to minimize or dismiss how this personal loss is affecting you. Its okay to cry. We all grieve in different ways, so be true to your own feelings, and ask for the emotional support you need.______________________________________________________________________________________________The Neptune Society is the nations oldest and largest provider of affordable cremation services. Whether you have an immediate need or want to plan cremation services in advance, we are always available to assist you and your family.Call 1-800-NEPTUNE (800-637-8863) today or contact us online to learn more.

Dealing with death is never easy, regardless of your relation to the deceased. If youve been invited to a funeral, the person who invited you looks at you as someone they want around in their time of need whether you were friends with their loved one, or simply a friend to them.One of the reasons dealing with death so challenging is because of the discomfort of not knowing the right thing to say or do when offering condolences. The worst thing you can do is ignore it entirely. Doing nothing, or pretending it didnt happen, is poor etiquette when it comes to the passing of a family friend, colleague, or family member of a friend.  What to Say to the Family at a Funeral When attending a funeral, youll likely have multiple opportunities to speak to the family of the deceased, whether during a visitation, viewing, or reception. Feeling being unsure of what to say to the family, and the right time to speak to them, is among the main reasons many of us feel uncomfortable at a funeral. While theres no rule book, the visitation, whether held at a funeral home or the familys home, is a good opportunity to express your condolences. Its best to wait until the funeral service is over to greet the family, unless theyre greeting people before the service. If you arent close with the family, make sure to introduce yourself and explain your relationship to their deceased loved one. Keep your condolences brief, while sincere and heartfelt, as there are likely other people waiting to speak to the family as well. Knowing exactly what to say at a funeral can be the hardest part, but remember that simply speaking to the family is often as important as what you say. Speak from the heart and with kindness: (The deceased) will be greatly missed. Im sorry for your loss.Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. (The deceased) was a great person, and Ill miss them very much. (He/she) meant a lot to me and everyone else at (the work place.) (He/she) contributed a lot to the company and our team, and (the deceased) will be missed. Its also appropriate to share a happy story about the deceased, but make sure to keep this brief along with the rest of what you have to say to the family. What not to Say to the Family at a Funeral With some ideas of the right things to say at a funeral, also to be aware of some inappropriate remarks to say to family and friends of the deceased at a funeral. Keep in mind this is a very sensitive time for the loved ones of the deceased. Dont be judgmental, tell jokes, or tell that embarrassing story of something the deceased did in the office or among friends. Avoid the following statements: Youll get over it with time. Dont tell a husband or wife that theres plenty of fish in the sea, or any variation of youll meet someone else. Stay away from mentioning any negative interactions you or others may have had with the deceased. Avoid mentioning it if a certain family member isnt crying, or doesnt seem sad. Different people deal with death, especially of a loved one, in different ways. Dont ask how the person died. These questions can often lead to sensitive answers, and you want to be as considerate as possible of the family of the deceased. The main idea of what not to say at a funeral is to be as respectful as possible to the family of the deceased. Be kind, and avoid difficult topics or questions. Even if you didnt have the best relationship with the deceased or their family, its not the appropriate time to bring these up. Leave all your negative feelings of the deceased at home. How to Follow Up After a FuneralDepending on your relationship with the deceased, this section may or may not apply. In most cases, if youve just met the family, it may not be necessary to follow up after the funeral service. But if youre a family friend, employer, or had a close relationship with the deceased, keep the following things in mind for after the funeral service: Stay in touch with the family. Being there for them when they need someone to talk to or require help that the deceased could have provided is the best thing you can do. Make sure you let them know youre there when theyre ready. Remember birthdays and anniversaries of the death of the deceased. In the weeks following the death, offer to help with simple tasks such as cleaning, cooking, or doing chores around the house. If appropriate, and after discussing with the family, find out about support groups for bereaved parents or children, and set up a time for the family to discuss with the group leads. Send cards even up to six months after the death. Letting the family know youre still thinking about them and the deceased is one of the nicest gestures you can make. Praise the bereaved for even small accomplishments that indicate they are moving forward, even in their time of mourning. As mentioned earlier, people grieve in different ways. Depression is very common for those who have experienced the death of a loved one; encouraging and supporting them can be inspiring and motivating.If you have to ask whether a gesture is appropriate, it may not be. But, if youre a close friend or acquaintance of the family, these gestures may be something that can be deeply reassuring. Being there for those going through grief is the best thing you can do. ______________________________________________________________________________________________The Neptune Society is the nations oldest and largest provider of affordable cremation services. Whether you have an immediate need or want to plan cremation services in advance, we are always available to assist you and your family.Call 1-800-NEPTUNE (800-637-8863) today or contact us online to learn more.