cremation services in Wheat Ridge, CO
How to Write a Meaningful Eulogy for Your Mother

Writing a eulogy for your mother after her passing can be overwhelming. You are undoubtedly dealing with intense feelings of loss and sadness and trying to put thoughts onto paper may be the last thing you feel you can do right now. As providers of cremation services in Wheat Ridge, CO. we understand how challenging this can be.

Key Takeaways:

To write a meaningful eulogy, it is best to tell your relationship to the deceased. You can reflect on the unique traits that made them special and share fond memories. You can also think of stories or inspirational quotes that best capture their spirit. When crafting a eulogy, consider your audience’s beliefs and the type of message most fitting for the occasion.

One thing that can help is to take this big task and break it down into smaller, bite-sized tasks. Taking the eulogy and breaking it down into individual sections can give your mind a break from trying to figure it all out at once. Instead, you can simply focus and complete each section and before you know it, the entire eulogy will be complete. To help you get started, we are going to cover what each section should be as well as examples of what it can include.

1. Write an Introduction

Write An Introduction

The introduction is an important section as it will set the mood and overall tone of the eulogy. It is typical in this section to begin by introducing yourself as well as letting people know you are the deceased’s son/daughter. You will also want to take this time to thank the guests for attending. This could look something like this:

“Hello everyone, I’m (name) and I am (name) son/daughter. I want to start off by thanking you all for being here today to celebrate my mother’s wonderful life.”

 

2. Add Personal Details

Add Personal Details

The next section after the introduction is when you want to share more about your mother. Describe what she enjoyed, what she was like, what she was passionate about, and anything else that shows her characteristics and personality. This could be something such as:

“My mother was always joking around and had a very funny sense of humor. She grew up in a household that believed laughter was the best medicine and kept this tradition alive in our household as well.”

 

3. Add Anecdotes

Add Anecdotes

In this next section, think about a short anecdote you can share about your mother. This may be about one of your mother’s most memorable moments or a simple story that truly defines their personality. Some ideas to get inspiration from can be:

  • A favorite childhood memory
  • A funny moment that only you and your mother shared
  • A meaningful tradition you shared
  • Something that she did for you as a child
  • Something she taught you

4. Finish With a Closing

Finish With A Closing

The final section you will need to write is the closing. This is the time when you thank guests for coming. You can also choose to include a meaningful thought, poem, lyric from a song, or some other meaningful message. This section could be something like this:

“I feel so blessed to have as much time as I did with my mother. Thank you all for coming out today to celebrate her memory of her. (Poem or lyrics could be added here).”

While it can be tough writing a eulogy for your mother after her cremation services in Wheat Ridge, CO, if you break it down, and just take it section by section, it can become much more manageable.

funeral homes in Wheat Ridge, CO
Memorial Funds: Helping with Funeral Costs

Funerals can be expensive. Flowers, caskets, memorial programs, funeral favors, and more can all add up quickly. If families had not made arrangements prior, it can all be overwhelming. This can be especially true if the death was sudden as many families may have a difficult time coming up with this extra money in such a short timeframe. As directors of funeral homes in Wheat Ridge, CO. we understand the burden this can sometimes cause families. That’s why today we are going to discuss memorial funds.

What is a Memorial Fund?

A memorial fund is an account where people can donate money to honor the deceased as well as help the surviving family. These accounts can be set up for many different reasons some of the most common beings:

  • Funeral Costs – As stated above, with funerals being able to be quite costly, many families will set up a memorial fund to help offset some of these costs.
  • Unexpected Expenses – Other than funeral costs, there may be additional expenses the family will need to pay such as getting the deceased’s affairs in order, securing their property and/or pets, etc.
  • Memorials or other Tributes – Setting up a memorial fund is a wonderful way to help pay for a memorial for your loved one. This could be anything from planting a tree to donating a bench.
  • Surviving Children – Memorial funds are often set up for surviving children of the deceased. This money typically goes to things like school supplies, tuition, and living expenses while they attend a school or a savings fund.

How to Set Up a Memorial Fund

Luckily, setting up a memorial fund is very easy and just about anyone who can use the internet can set one up. There are several sites that allow for free funds to be designed as well as ones that can be purchased that have additional features. No matter what site you choose for your fund, the setup is typically the same and includes these steps:

  1. Create an account
  2. Choose your webpage template
  3. Edit the template to include all of your image and text content
  4. Set up banking and personal information
  5. Publish the webpagefuneral homes in Wheat Ridge, CO

Once the webpage has been published, it will be live. This means that anyone with the link may visit the page and donate. One ideal place to place this link is in a post on social media. In this post explain what the fund is for as well as why it is important. Then include the link and invite people to share. This will ensure the posts gains the most traction.

How Long Can the Memorial Fund Last?

There is no set rule on how long the memorial fund can remain active. Some families may set a monetary goal and leave the fund active until that goal is reached. Other families may opt to only have it last a certain timeframe such as six months after the funeral. It is truly up to each family how long they wish to keep it active.

If you would like more information about memorial funds and how they can help with costs from funeral homes in Wheat Ridge, CO., call us anytime and talk one-on-one with one of our knowledgeable funeral directors.

cremation services in Lakewood, CO
Wearing Your Wedding Ring After the Death of Your Spouse

Losing a spouse can be devasting. They have been your partner in life. They were the person you saw each morning when you woke up. They were the ones that you shared your secrets with and the ones that you loved with all of your heart. Figuring out how to navigate this new reality after their cremation services in Lakewood, CO. can just seem overwhelming.

One aspect you will need to figure out is what to do with your wedding ring. Should you still wear it? For how long? Are there other options of things you can do with it to still keep it close to you? With this ring being such an important piece of not only jewelry but of history and representation of love, you want to ensure you treat it with the respect it deserves. Keep reading for ideas to do with your wedding ring after the death of your spouse.

1. Move It to Your Right Hand

It is very common for those who have been widowed to move their wedding ring over to their right hand and continue wearing it. This can be a good option if you are not ready to stop wearing your ring completely.

Many people who move the ring to the right hand do so and wear it there indefinitely while others may choose to only have this be a temporary move before removing the ring completely.

It is important to consider that many times, although wearing your ring on the right hand signifies you are a widower, it also is portrayed by many that you are ready and open to date again. If this is not the case, you may wish to keep your ring on your left hand until you feel ready.

2. Place it on a necklace

Wearing your ring on a necklace can make a great option for those who wish to keep the ring close to their heart. It can also be seen by others and will represent your current status so that you won’t have to explain so much that you are a widower.cremation services in Lakewood, CO

3. Put it Away

If you are not sure what you want to do with your ring or you simply feel as if right now you are not ready to see it every day, putting it away in a safe place is an option. This could be a safe or other secure location. Having the ring in a secure spot will give you the peace of mind that you still in fact have the ring and it is available for you at any time. In the meantime, it is safe and will be protected from damage.

Final Thoughts

Knowing what to do with your wedding ring after your loved one’s cremation services in Lakewood, CO can be a tough decision. Know that you don’t have to decide right away and even what you decide may change several times as you move through processing your grief and learning how to adapt to this new reality.

funeral homes in Lakewood, CO
10 Unique Funeral Locations

While it is customary for funerals to be held in churches or funeral homes in Lakewood, CO., there are several other locations you might want to consider. Choosing an alternative location can not only make your funeral unique but also express your loved one’s personality or passions. For example, if they loved animals, hosting a funeral service at a zoo might be a nice tribute. Keep reading as we explore some more untraditional places to hold your service.

1. On a Boat

If your loved one adored the ocean or lake, why not hold a service on a boat? There are many boats that you can charter that come in all types and sizes. You can even make the service more special by timing it with the sunset.

2. Local, State, or National Park

Was your loved one an avid camper? Maybe they enjoyed hiking and could always be found on the trails each weekend. If they had a favorite park or hiking spot, this may be a beautiful setting for their service as being surrounded by trees and fresh air can be a very serene environment.

3. museum

Whether it was the art or the special exhibits, if your loved one enjoyed the museum this may be the perfect space to host their service. And with most museums having event spaces, it can make a lovely location.

4. Historic Home

A very unique location to hold your loved one’s service is in a historic city home or mansion as these historic homes are full of charm and beauty.

5. Family Home

If you would like to keep your loved one’s service very intimate and personal, why not have it at a family home?

6. School or University

For those who had deep ties with their college or university, holding the service on the school grounds can be a fitting tribute.

7. Theme Park

This location may not be for everyone since it is on the very unconventional side, however, if your loved one enjoyed rides and parks, this could be the perfect setting for their service.

8. Public Garden

If you are looking for a truly beautiful setting to hold your service, a public garden can be the ideal location. These gardens are full of flowers and foliage that make the most beautiful backdrop.

9. Sports Stadium

Holding a funeral at a sports stadium might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for those loved ones who were passionate about sports, what could be more fitting?

10. Observatoryfuneral homes in Lakewood, CO

Were your loved ones into sci-fi? Did they marvel at the stars and galaxies? Holding their service at an observatory is a perfect location.

Final Thoughts

While some families may still prefer the more traditional locations for funerals such as churches and funeral homes in Lakewood, CO. it is nice to know there are other options for those families that want something a little more unconventional. Whether you hold your service in a church or a sports stadium is entirely up to you and your family as well as what your loved one would have wanted.

funeral homes in Lakewood, CO
Memorializing a Facebook Account

Social media plays a big role in our lives today. Most everyone you know has a Facebook account as this is the social media giant that started it all. But what happens to the account after someone passes away? Are there steps you should take to determine how your account is handled when you are gone? What does it mean to have an account “memorialized”? As providers of cremation services in Denver, CO. we often get asked these questions and more.

Today we are going to share what you need to know about Facebook accounts and how they can be handled when it comes to passing away. Note that the information here is specific to the Facebook platform. This means that if you or your loved one had additional accounts on other platforms, such as Twitter, you would need to contact them directly as each platform has its own policies in regard to how accounts are handled after passing away.

About Memorialized Facebook Accounts

If your loved one did not set a legacy contact or choose to have their account deleted after they pass, you can have the account “memorialized”.

Memorializing your loved one’s Facebook account after they pass is a way to keep their profile page visible and allow friends and family to have a virtual place to visit and share photos and memories.

Once the account has been memorialized some of its features will change. These changes include:

  • The page will no longer appear in any public searches as in “People You May Know” or birthday suggestions
  • The word “Remembering” will be added to the person’s profile next to their name to signify it is a memorial page
  • Friends may or may not be able to share photos on the memorialized timeline (if they can or not will be determined by what setting the account had chosen)
  • The content that was previously posted on the timeline will remain.
  • The account will remain as is and nobody will be allowed to log into the account to make changes

How to Memorialize a Facebook Account

To have a loved one’s account memorialized after they pass, you will need to contact Facebook directly. You may need digital files to include with the online request such as the death certificate, personal identification, and proof of relationship to the deceased.

Setting a Legacy and Deleting Accountfuneral homes in Lakewood, CO

Facebook allows users to determine ahead of time what will happen to their account if they pass. Users can go into their settings to choose which option they would like to have.

The two options are:

  • Setting a legacy contact – This appointed legacy will be able to log into the account and have limited access.
  • Delete account after passing – This setting tells Facebook that upon being notified of their death, to completely delete their account and all content.

If your loved one did not choose one of these options, then after their cremation services in Denver, CO, you will be able to contact Facebook and request for it to be memorialized.

funeral homes in Denver, CO
Best Free Design Software for Your Funeral

When considering items needed for a funeral, design software is normally not the first thing you may think of. However, there are many cases when having this software will be extremely beneficial. Today we are going to look at some of the best free software that is available online as well as some of the instances where it may come in handy for your services with funeral homes in Denver, CO.

What is Design Software?

Simply put, design software is a tool to help you design materials like flyers, social media posts, programs, brochures, and even videos. It is easy to use and most often times comes with preloaded templates that are available for you to use.

Why Would I Need Design Software?

When it comes to funerals, there are many instances when having good design software can come in handy. Just some of the items design software can help you with are:

  • Designing of the memorial program
  • Creating images for a memorial website
  • Creating images for any social media posts
  • Creating and editing a video tribute
  • Creating a memorial website
  • Designing images for a table display

Best Free Software

Fortunately today there is a number of free design software that are available right online. While each one has its own set of features maybe making it more suitable for certain projects than others, they all can help you in creating and designing beautiful material for your loved one’s funeral. Some of the top free design software programs are:

  • Canva – Canva is by far one of the most popular choices. This is because it is extremely easy to use with drag-and-drop features. It also provides a ton of premade designs, images, templates, and more for users to have access to.
  • Design Wizard – This is a newer program that is gaining traction quickly as it is easy to use and has a wide variety of templates ready to go. They provide 24/7 support with chatbot features making it a great choice for those new to design software.
  • Crello – This software is outstanding for creating stunning graphics for use in websites and social media posts. With over 30,000 ready-to-use templates, users have more than enough templates to choose from.funeral homes in Denver, CO
  • BeFunky – BeFunky is perfect for editing images, and creating new ones as well as photo collages. The paid version offers users many more features, but the free version is plenty for the beginner designer to get the job done.
  • Vectr – New users will enjoy this software as it is easy to understand without a big learning curve. It is also nice because it has a web version as well as a mobile app to allow more flexibility on when and how you design.

Final Thoughts

While you certainly don’t have to have design software for your funeral, there are many times when it can come in handy. Creating things like the memorial program, images for a display table, designing a video tribute, and more can be much easier with the use of the software. And with so many free versions available right online, it makes it easier than ever to try them.

If you would like more information about designing material for your services with funeral homes in Denver, CO. give us a call and let us help you with whatever you may need.

cemetery in Aurora, CO
Keep These Things in Mind When Selecting a Casket

Making arrangements for ground burial in a cemetery in Aurora, CO. requires making several decisions. Other than the grave marker, one of the most important decisions is the selection of your loved one’s casket. With so many types and styles, as well as ways to customize them, this decision can be a little daunting. We are going to look at some of the major elements to keep in mind when making this important choice.

Casket Material Construction

One of the things you will need to decide is what type of material you want the casket to be made from. There are several different materials available with each having its own set of characteristics such as some being more durable with others may be more decorative.

Some of the most common types to choose from include copper, bronze, metal, gold, stainless steel, wood, veneer, laminate, wicker, bamboo, and even eco-friendly caskets.

Type of Casket Top

Caskets typically offer two choices when it comes to the tops. Either a half-couch or full-couch design. A half-couch design consists of the top half being able to be opened with the bottom half staying stationary. By contrast, a full-couch design allows the top to be opened fully on both halves.

Inside Lining

The inside lining of the casket is often satin but families can choose from other materials such as velvet, and polyester. These linings can be found in different standard colors as well as offer additional colors that can be used to customize a loved one’s casket.

Inside Design

Many caskets offer a design to be added to the inside top lid so that when it is open, the design can be seen. These designs can be found to include photographs, embroidered designs, and even decorations medallions may be added.

Exterior Design

Not only do families have options when it comes to interior design, but the exterior of the casket can also have a design. This design can be on just one part of the casket or wrap the casket entirely. Some popular designs include:

  • Having a cross or portrait of the deceased on part of the casket top
  • Adding a flag design to the entire top of the casket
  • Designing all exterior sides of the casket with a design such as flowers, clouds, or sunrise

With today’s technology, almost any design can be transferred onto the casket including old photographs and custom drawings.cemetery in Aurora, CO

Additional Elements

Once the design of the casket has been determined, there are additional elements that are available. Some of these include things like memory drawers and secret compartments where families can add personal mementos to be buried with their loved ones.

Other features are more decorative in nature such as the hardware used and embellishments added.

Final Thoughts

With so many options, selecting the casket to bury your loved one in the cemetery in Aurora, CO. can seem overwhelming. Just remember to take it step-by-step, one element at a time and you will be sure to design a casket as beautiful and unique as your loved one.

cemetery in Wheat Ridge, CO
Coping With Grief by Helping Others

Experiencing grief is hard, Plain, and simple. When we lose a loved one, the emotions we feel can be overwhelming. While time does help, this brings little comfort at the moment. One thing that can help us get through this grief is by helping others. The act of giving helps us redirect our focus to something good and positive. While we may not feel instantly happy, these feelings can provide a balance for our well-being. After your loved one’s services in the cemetery in Wheat Ridge, CO., here are some things you can do to help others.

Donate to a Charity

If your loved one had a favorite charity or cause they stood behind and supported, a wonderful act of kindness you can do is make a donation to this organization. This donation could be a one-time thing or you could set up a reoccurring donation to be made monthly or so. You could also make a donation in your loved one’s name as an extra way to pay tribute to and honor them.

Donate Old Items

Although cleaning out your loved one’s old items can be difficult, knowing they might help someone else can make the process a little easier. There are many places that will take these old items and put them to very good use. Some places include:

  • Organizations such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army can use any household items
  • Police stations will often take old toys and stuffed animals (these items are often given to any children who are in their care due to emergencies or family issues)
  • Homeless shelters can use old clothes, pillows, blankets
  • Women and children’s shelters always need clothes, blankets, et
  • Schools and libraries will often take old books and videos

Volunteering Your Timecemetery in Wheat Ridge, CO

Finding a place to volunteer your time is a beautiful way to help others. You could offer your time to an organization that your loved one supported such as the local humane society. You could also offer your time to places that might have helped your loved one when they were alive such as the hospital or retirement home. If your loved one adored the outdoors, you could contact a local park and offer to help be on the clean-up or maintenance crew. The possibilities are endless.

Giving Food to a Food Bank

If your loved one had a kitchen full of food when they passed, take what you can to a local food bank. There are so many people that depend on these food banks for their family’s food. Knowing your loved one’s food can help these families stay nourished and can fill you with feelings of comfort.

Final Thoughts

While no one act will simply take away all of the sorry or grief you are feeling after your loved one’s passing, helping others and showing kindness can help. By performing these acts, our brain produces more of the “feel good” hormones. Although these hormones won’t be enough to completely take over, they are enough to at least help balance us out in this difficult time. That’s why after your loved one’s service in the cemetery in Wheat Ridge, CO., finding ways to help others is important.

cremation services in Thornton, CO
Top Reasons People Put Off Preplanning Cremation Services

Preplanning your final arrangements is something that most all people admit is very important. However, many of these same people will never actually make their arrangements. This could be for a myriad of reasons. Today we are going to look at some of the top reasons providers of cremation services in Thornton, CO. hear why people put off this important planning.

I’m Too Busy

Look, we get it. In this day and age, we are all running around multitasking from one project and chore to the next. Between work, school, kids, bills, and more it is easy to put things off. The thing is though, we seem to have time for things we put a value on. For example, even though you may be busy when your child has an activity such as a recital, you make the time to attend. The same s true with your preplanning needs. You need to realize the value and then you will be much easier to find the time.

I’m Too Young

Many people think that preplanning final arrangements are something you do later in life when you are older. However, nothing in this world is guaranteed and even if you are young and healthy, nobody can ever guarantee how much time you have in this world. Even if you don’t make the actual final arrangements, you can still begin thinking and planning for them by starting a savings account or at least making your last wishes known in writing.

I Don’t Want to Think About My Death

This is probably the most common reason people put off preplanning their final arrangements. Thinking about one’s own mortality and facing death can be a very uncomfortable issue for many people. However, once they begin preplanning, many realize that the comfort it brings to them knowing their last wishes are taken care of and the stress will be off of their family, outweighs this uncomfortable feeling.

Why You Should Preplancremation services in Thornton, CO

Even though these are all valid reasons, they are not reason enough to ignore preplanning your arrangements. Not only does preplanning ensure your last wishes are made known and followed, but it eases the stress and burden off of your family at the time of your passing.

When you pass, your loved ones will be experiencing feelings of pain, loss, sorry, and grief. They will have a lot to handle such as bank accounts, loans, credit cards, and more. Help ease their burden by taking away the stress of making your final arrangements.

Final Thoughts

There are a ton of reasons people may put off making their final arrangements for cremation services in Thornton, CO. However, we hope in this article we have been able to break through some of these most common reasons to help give you motivation and inspiration to put them aside and final start the pre-planning process. When you are ready, please know that we are here and happy to help guide you to ensure everything gets addressed and nothing gets overlooked.

funeral homes in Thornton, CO
Remembering Your Loved One: 8 DIY Upcycling Ideas

Feeling close to a loved one after they pass is a wonderful way to find comfort. This can be done in many ways but one way that is growing in popularity is upcycling an old item of your loved one. If you are not familiar with the term “upcycling”, it simply means taking an old, unused item, and transforming it into a new one that is used in a different way. Keep reading as directors of funeral homes in Thornton, CO. share eight DIY upcycling ideas.

1. Tea Cup Candles

Did your loved one have a teacup they loved or a collection? If so, taking these tea cups and making candles out of them is a wonderful way to upcycle this item. You can then use the candle as part of a memorial or simply pretty décor for your home or office.

2. Vinyl Record Clock

If your loved one was a music fan, why not take one of their old vinyl records and turn it into a clock? There are several DIY videos on YouTube as well as other online tutorials on how to complete this project.

3. Bicycle Planter

Add a touch of your loved one to your garden by making a planter out of their old bicycle. This is not a difficult project and will add a wonderful personal touch to your garden.

4. Make a Quilt

By using some of your loved one’s old clothes, you can make a beautiful memorial quilt. There are tutorials on how to do this or you could take the pieces of clothing to a professional and have them create the quilt.

5. Spoon Windchimes

Taking some of your loved one’s old silverware and creating a windchime is an easy afternoon DIY project. You could use only one type of silverware such as all spoons, or all forks, or get creative and mix it up.

6. Create a Pillowfuneral homes in Thornton, CO

A very easy and wonderful way to feel close to your loved one is to create a pillow out of one of their old t-shirts. There are instructions online on how to do this with or without sewing. Having this pillow to snuggle with can be a great way to feel comforted by your loved one.

7. Transform Furniture

If your loved one had an old dresser, there are ways to take the drawers and create a brand new side table. You can use this side table next to your bed, in your living room beside your couch, or any other place where you want to be reminded of your loved one. Finding these instructions online is easily done by performing a Google search.

8. Transform a Piece of Jewelry

A piece of jewelry can be transformed into several different new items. From using pieces to turn into hair clips to keychains, there are a ton of DIY videos to help guide you through whichever project you choose.

After your loved one’s services from funeral homes in Thornton, CO. finding ways to feel connected to them can go a long way in helping you to heal. Creating something new from something old also reminds us that even though they may be gone from this world, their spirit lives on in the next.

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