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Building A Tribute With Tucson Marble & Granite

August 15th, 2013

Selecting a monument is a decision that lasts a lifetime and beyond.

Whether you are honoring a loved one or are pre-planning, Tucson Marble and Granite can help you through the process of visualizing and building this important marker piece by piece. They can create a stunning tribute that stand the test of time. Their craftsmen work with precision and care that have been the trademark of this trusted family-owned company since 1917. While this business is located in Tucson, Arizona, they proudly ship anywhere in the world and service all cemeteries.

Beautiful Monuments Crafted From Quality Materials

Using only the best hard stone and proven carving techniques for their work, this monument company knows that you are commemorating an important life lived.

Monuments, urns and plaques are available in many sizes and designs and are guaranteed to remain unchanged for generations to come. When quality is crucial, turn to a company that specializes in hand-crafted markers made with the most enduring materials of nature.

Personalized Headstones

You can choose from traditional text and symbolic graphics for a stately simple look on a bronze plaque or stone. Celebrate memories and create a lasting focal point with a photo etching. With this technique almost any photo can be engraved on a variety of stone to preserve a beautifully realistic portrait.

Understanding The Importance of Remembrance

In a somber time full of important questions, you can work directly with an understanding and compassionate team member to find the right answers. All the skilled employees at Tucson Marble and Granite understands the need for thorough, detailed workmanship and how to create a lasting image for your loved one.

Monuments for a graveside are more than words on a stone. These markers are objects that symbolize the lasting effect a person can have on those around them. This is quite possibly the most permanent physical presence we, as morals, can maintain. Tucson Marble and Granite offer 75 years of experience and artistry in dedicating unique and exquisite monuments to commemorate the dearly departed.

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Funeral and Sympathy Flowers 101

July 18th, 2013

Although both funeral flowers and sympathy flowers are sent for the same reasons – respect, condolences, and comfort during times of grief, there are important differences between the two. Determining what is appropriate comes from consideration of the bereaved and your relationship with the deceased. Understanding the significance and various uses of flowers will help you work with your florist to send just the right message.

What’s the Difference?

Funeral flowers refer to tributes and memorials meant to honor the deceased and are sent directly to the funeral home. These flowers are larger with a more dramatic appearance as typically seen in standing sprays and casket covers. Majestic arrangements with striking features provide beauty and are an important focal point during the visitation and ceremony. Depending on the funeral home and the family’s wishes, these flowers are often transferred to the grave site after the service. Though the family commonly selects the flowers that are arranged directly on the casket, other tributes can come from family and friends to show their respects. These types of arrangements are associated with death and the funeral ceremony and should never be sent to the home out of respect for the feelings of those who have lost their loved ones.

Sympathy flowers are intended for the family of the loved one as a sign of hope, support, and friendship and are often delivered to the home or funeral home. These gifts can vary greatly from large houseplants intended for long-lasting stewardship to compact and delicate arrangements that grace coffee and end tables.

By making the distinction between funeral and sympathy flowers
when communicating with your local florist, he or she can get a better idea of what type of arrangement best suits the situation.

Types of Funeral and Sympathy Flower Arrangements

Casket Cover or Spray

Casket covers, also called casket sprays, are designed to rest on the lid of the casket. Because family members make the decision about open or closed casket, they should also make the decision about these arrangements .

Full-couch covers extend the entire length of the closed casket or are affixed to the lid of an open casket. Half-couch sprays or foot sprays extend only over half of the casket. Flower garlands can also drape the casket.

Interior Casket Flowers

Flowers that are designed to go directly in the casket should also be determined by the close family due to the proximity to the deceased. These casket inserts are often sent by younger members of the family such the children or grandchildren. There are many options including flower rosaries, nosegays, corner clusters, satin pillows or crosses, hinge sprays, and sheaves.

Cremation Flowers

When an urn is present at a funeral ceremony, it can be displayed on a pedestal or table. Flowers that accompany the urn help make it a focal point in the room. They can be large or small arrangements that set beside the urn or a florist can create a piece that surrounds it. Like casket flowers, cremation flowers should be selected by the close family.

 

Standing Spray or Easel

A floral tribute that is designed to stand 1 to 3 feet off the ground with a wooden or metal stand are called stranding sprays or easels. Typically meant to be viewed only from the front, they are displayed around the casket or urn to create a backdrop.There are many different designs available, including symbolic shapes like crosses and hearts. These arrangements can be sent by people who knew the departed or as a service tribute.

Wreaths

Wreaths are traditional funeral tributes that symbolize eternal life. They are placed on stands or hung near the casket or urn display and can be sent by anyone who knew the deceased. Often the choice of individuals and groups wanting to honor the departed for their lifetime of service.

 

 

Floral Baskets

These arrangement are available in a vast array of sizes and shapes. Fireside baskets, which usually have a handle are designed to rest on the floor in front of the casket or standing sprays. Smaller baskets can be placed on tables or ledges. This selection is appropriate to send directly to the funeral home or to a family member’s house.

 

Table or Vase Arrangements

Much like floral baskets, these arrangements are acceptable for both funeral home and home delivery. They tend to be smaller and sometimes are very personalized by utilizing designs and colors that reflect the decease’s interests.

 

Houseplants

Intended as a gift to the family as a sign of friendship and support, houseplants of all types can be sent to the home or to the funeral home for display. Sometimes fresh-cut flowers are added for the occasion or colored bows or ribbons included.

Practical Considerations

Funeral services are sometimes spread out over multiple days. One thing to consider when shopping for an arrangement is when the flowers will be delivered and how long they will be on display. Standing sprays, wreaths or funeral crosses often contain flowers that do not have direct access to water and can dry out if no one is available to tend them. These options are not a problem if the service is only one or two days. But if the viewing and ceremony are more spread out, opt for bouquets in a basket or container with floral foam so flowers will stay hydrated without much maintenance.

At times, families will request that donations be made in lieu of flowers. This is a request that should be honored. If you had a close relationship to the deceased and feel strongly about sending a floral tribute, considering sending both a donation and flowers as your budget allows. Your bereavement is valid and you should acknowledge it how you see fit. But respect for the families wishes should be foremost. If you decide to send flowers, be sure to include on the condolence card that a donation has been made in honor of the departed.

The Meaning of Flowers

Throughout history and in almost every culture, flowers have been considered expressions of respect and grief for the dead. Beauty and symbolic meaning brought by nature’s art come together to serve as a tokens of sympathy. Any arrangement you choose to send can be created tastefully and hold great meaning. You can read more about the meaning of specific funeral and sympathy flowers here.

When a death occurs, there is often a loss of words. By working with a skilled florist, you can send flowers that celebrate life and convey your feelings. Flowers can help state what is too difficult and painful to relay: our lives are deeply touched by those we love and their absence changes us forever.

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Some Benefits of Preplanning a Funeral

July 16th, 2013

Talking about your own funeral can be an uncomfortable proposition. No one likes to be faced with their own mortality, and though the eventuality of death is not unknown, it is the one truth that we all hesitate to confront. However, uncomfortable or not, preplanning your funeral is one of the most responsible things you can do to help ease things for your family after you are gone.

Funeral PlanningEmotional Security

In the event of an unplanned death, there are a plethora of questions that your loved ones will have to answer and in short order. They will need to make important, informed decisions while dealing with their recent loss. That emotionally distraught state of mind is not optimal for decision-making of any kind and certainly not for the quick planning that must be accomplished for a timely funeral.

Preplanning your services will remove a large number of those questions from the table. You will have worked out beforehand if you want to be buried or cremated, the type of service you would prefer, the casket or urn you desire, etc. You can even plan the details of the funeral such as which songs you’d like to be played. This will leave your loved ones with the peace of mind that things are being done as you’d like, and remove any uncertainty they might otherwise have had in a time of great difficulty.

Financial Security

Most funerals offer an option to prepay as well as preplan. With the prepay option, you have an opportunity to remove, or reduce, the financial burden from your loved ones, and since you’ve preplanned your funeral in its entirety, you know beforehand what the costs will be.

Many funeral homes offer a payment plan so that you are not required to come up with the full price of the funeral at once. You can make payments over a period of time in much the same manner as you would pay for a car or credit card. Funeral directors understand that you may have difficulty paying a large sum at once, but so too might your loved ones if they are left to shoulder that burden alone.

Contemplating death may be difficult, but preplanning a funeral doesn’t have to be. Contact your local funeral director and learn more about how you can take this simple, easy step that will save your loved ones untold amounts of stress and worry. Preplanning a funeral just makes sense, and as with much of life, the sooner you can do it the better off you and your loved ones will be.

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Finding Beauty in Death: Recapturing the Living Spark

July 11th, 2013

When attending a funeral or visitation, it is not unusual to hear comments whispered around the body such as, “She looks really good,” or “He appears so natural.” Often, a funeral home’s reputation is made or lost based on nothing more than how the body is presented. So who performs this all-important service?

Arlington National CemeteryThe Mortician

Most funeral homes do not employ an individual whose only job is funeral cosmetology. The hair and make-up, as well as the clothes and overall presentation of the deceased, is most often put together by the same person who performs the embalming procedure, frequently the mortician or Funeral Director.

That is not to say that these men and women have not been extensively trained. On the contrary, funeral cosmetology is a skill that is often required as part of a mortuary science degree. However, recapturing the spark of life is more akin to art than science.

The Heart of a Poet

Heart of a PoetIt takes a special kind of person to be a mortician. I once asked a friend of mine if it was difficult for him to prepare the bodies of those he knew well or was close to in life. He told me that the opposite was true. He viewed it as an opportunity to honor the memory of the person he once knew. Yes, he would feel grief at their passing, but it afforded him a private moment to say goodbye, a chance to ensure that they received the best care possible and it allowed him one more opportunity to show them the love and respect they so richly deserved.

His response always seemed poetic to me, rife with meaning and beauty. And yet I knew that I would struggle to successfully view the situation in that same light. He does a job I could not do, and does it with an outlook I could not maintain.

So next time you are impressed with the way a loved one is presented, make sure to let the Funeral Director know how much you appreciate his work. They perform their duties with honor and respect, and they deserve no less from us.

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Grief Therapy Dog: A New Kind of Funeral Home Employee

July 9th, 2013

Grief is a constant client for the proprietors of a funeral home. As such, each and every staff member is thoroughly trained and kept as prepared as possible to deal with it in all its many forms. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise to learn that many funeral homes employ a grief counselor or have one on retainer, but what you may not know is that more and more funeral directors have seen fit to hire some additional help in the grief counseling arena. For a growing number of funeral homes, grief therapy just isn’t complete without a grief therapy dog!

Grief Therapy Dog?Hug

That’s right, a grief therapy dog. This is a dog that acts as another employee, greeting and comforting clients in their time of need. Some have said that once it’s been on the job a few months, a grief therapy dog becomes intuitive about who wants the attention and who does not. Even going so far as to seek out someone that is most in need of its services!

So why is this effective? Scientists have proven that petting animals will reduce stress, lower blood pressure and a University of Missouri-Columbia researcher concluded in 2004 that it will even create a hormonal response that raises serotonin levels which help fight depression!

Because basic interactions with a dog have such profound benefits, dogs come naturally to the role of grief therapist. Some of these dogs are true professionals and have undergone extensive training while others simply fall into the role. Either way, the benefit to the humans they comfort are the same.

Training

Playtime

The problem, of course, lies in the fact that some people don’t like dogs and therefore aren’t interested in any amount of attention from one. This is where training becomes a factor. Grief therapy dogs are respectful of client’s wishes and are trained only to approach if they are solicited. They do not jump up, get rambunctious or get overly excited. A good grief therapy dog is very reserved, accepting of attention but not demanding it and not only willing but happy about going to work.

And it does know it’s going to work. Most grief therapy dogs double as a house pet to one of the funeral home employees, and they invariably say that when the therapy vest comes out, the dog understands what is expected of it and acts accordingly. As much as any other employee in the office, these dogs are professionals.

Grief therapy dogs are a proven benefit and offer love, attention and care to those clients most in need of comfort. They are not only valued employees, but beloved pets. If you are interested in acquiring a grief therapy dog, you should contact your local AKC certified trainers and see if they would be able to help you. Any trainer should be able to help once they understand the behaviors you are looking for.

Not every dog is cut out to be a grief therapy dog. Just as you’d hire any other position in your office, you look for the right attitude and the right fit. However, once you find the right dog, you’ll never understand how you got along without it.

 

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Going “Green” at the End

July 5th, 2013

In today’s world, we are always looking for the “green” alternative. Our lives are spent impacting the world and the environment through the choices we make and the actions we take each and every day. It’s no surprise that, with all that potential for causing damage, many of us try to give back in any way that we can.

Recycling? Yes, please. Hybrid car? Sign me up! If living green is what you want, there are numerous ways, and varying degrees, to which you can make that happen. But what about dying green? What are our options if we want to make less of a lasting impact on the earth?

There was a time, not so long ago, that there were none. However, the world is changing. With new technology comes new innovations, and with new attitudes come some old, recycled ideas. If you are looking for more green options for your remains, here are three things you might consider.

Green BurialsForest Sunrise

The greenest option available at this time is the green burial. This option returns your body to the earth as naturally as possible without any added chemicals. Basically, A green burial is a burial where the deceased is placed, without embalming, in a biodegradable shroud, biodegradable casket or favorite blanket and then set in the earth.

Many green cemeteries encourage family and friends to plant trees and plants on the spot their loved one was buried so that the remains can contribute to new life. Most of them don’t allow headstones or grave markers other than what has been planted, and though it is technically a cemetery, wildlife is encouraged to grow and inhabit the area.

The idea of the green burial is not new, though the motivations behind it are. Certain cultures have buried their dead without ornamentation since the beginning of time. However, none of these cultures were performing these actions because they were specifically concerned about any lasting effects on the earth but rather chose to bury their dead this way for religious reasons or out of necessity. It is only recently that people have viewed this ancient tradition as a green and natural alternative to traditional burial.

Alkaline Hydrolysiswater

Alka-what? Hydro-who? Basically, this is an alternative method of cremation wherein the body is placed in a tube with a 95% water and 5% lye solution. This is then heated under pressure to prevent boiling to approximately 160 degrees Celsius or 320 degrees Fahrenheit. The body is then able to break down into its chemical components.

Essentially, this chamber effects the same decomposition process the body undergoes naturally, but it takes three hours instead of twenty-five years. The resulting biological waste is washed down the drain, and the bones as well as any metals from teeth fillings, hip replacements, or pace-makers remain. The bones are crushed into powder and given back to the family as ash, similar to cremains, while the metals are collected and disposed of as the family sees fit. Recycling is an option.

The creators of this method claim that traditional cremation emits twenty times more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere per body than alkaline hydrolysis, and that their chamber is 75% more energy efficient than the standard cremation chamber. All of that sounds good, but this is still a new process and the validity of these claims is still being tested, as well as the low impact environmental claims for the resulting waste.

However, there are already seven states that have legalized this process for commercial purposes and more are considering it every day. If you want an alternative to cremation, this is definitely one to keep an eye on.

Frozen Forest looking upPromession

Founded by Swedish biologist Susanne Wiigh-Mäsak, promession is yet another alternative to cremation. In promession, the body is immersed in liquid nitrogen and completely frozen. Then the remains are vibrated until they shatter into pieces. The remains are then subjected to a vacuum so that they become a dry powder weighing 50%-70% less than the original body. Any metals can be removed by a magnetic process or by passing the powder through a sieve. Finally, the remains are placed in a biodegradable casket and interred in a shallow grave. Aerobic bacteria, bacteria that require oxygen to live, will decompose the remains into humus or compost in as few as twelve months.

Like alkaline hydrolysis, this method does not emit any direct carbon dioxide into the air, and the aerobic bacteria, present because of the shallow burial, ensure that no CH4 is released as would happen with a deep burial. In this way, the body is naturally recycled into the soil.

If this sounds like something you’d like to know more about, there are plenty of sites online to give you more information, but this method is still being licensed and is not yet available for commercial use. It will be a few years yet before promession is ready for the public, if at all.

As you can see, traditional burial options are not the only options available. Time will tell if these alternative methods will catch on or ever be in a position to replace the big two, but it is a comfort to know that such alternatives are being explored. It’s important for funeral homes and clients alike to keep abreast of new developments as it’s impossible for clients to ask for a change in the traditional methods if they don’t know what their options are. Likewise, funeral homes need to be aware of the changing demands of their clientele.

Changes in the industry can be beneficial for everyone, not to mention the environment, and ignoring them just isn’t an option. Like with anything else in today’s world, if you’re standing still you’re losing ground.

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Sympathy Gifts: Another Way to Offer Condolences

July 3rd, 2013

One of the hardest things to do in life is console a friend or loved one who has lost someone important to them. It’s hard to know what to say, how to say it or even if you should say anything at all. In a time of intense grief, heartfelt words can fall on deaf ears or be misconstrued. And sometimes words just aren’t enough to convey your genuine love and support.

God's Hand AngelSympathy Gifts

When a quick hug and a softly whispered, “I’m sorry,” feel too small, you might consider a sympathy gift to accompany them. The giving of gifts in a time of grief is a long-held tradition that spans all cultures and creeds. Always appropriate, the sympathy gift provides your loved one with a carefully selected item that will last beyond the neighborly bucket of fried chicken or tuna casserole. It is a keepsake that the bereaved can cherish for the rest of their lives.

Where Can I Find a Sympathy Gift?

The elegant grace of a sympathy gift can be just the salve your loved one needs to help get them through an especially tough day. If you are in need of a sympathy gift and are unsure of where to find one, you should visit Celebrating Home, an online store that offers a wide variety of inspirational and sympathy items to help your loved one through a difficult time.

The men and women at Celebrating Home have worked hard to provide a large selection of home decor items. They have high quality products and a user-friendly website, as well as a delightful and friendly staff if you need to speak to someone about your purchase. And they don’t just offer sympathy items. Celebrating Home has many home decor options that could be used in your own home or as gifts for any occasion!

What Kind of Sympathy Gift Should I Give?

The key is to be thoughtful when choosing what you will proffer. You know your loved one well, try and think of something that has given them comfort in the past. The gift can be religious in nature, such as an angel figurine or a plaque containing scripture, or it can be something to commemorate the one they lost, a picture frame displaying a portrait of the deceased or perhaps depicting a scene or place to remind them of good times with the one who has passed. You can even give some item of decoration that will remind them of the love and joy of the one they lost. There are no right or wrong answers, as with any gift it is the thought behind it that gives it meaning.

When is it Appropriate?

The Lord is My Shepherd

Sympathy gifts can be given before, during or after the funeral, and they can even be given on the anniversary of the death or any time your friend is in need of comfort. The specific “when” is not as important as the “how.” If at all possible, a sympathy gift should be given in person and accompanied by a card, preferably including a hand-written note. The purpose of the gift is not to replace your personal offers of support but to enhance them. If hand delivery is not possible, a phone call after the gift has been received would be ideal.

The purchasing of a sympathy gift does not have to be difficult. Visit Celebrating Home and find the perfect item for your loved one in their time of need. When you are not sure what else to say, a sympathy gift always has the right words.

 

 

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Funerals & Thieves: Awareness and Prevention

June 19th, 2013

Death is often a rallying cry for families and communities. People you’ve only ever spoken to in passing may present themselves at your door with food and offers of support in your time of need. Often, it is these moments that bring people closer together. Why? Because Death and Love are both universal. When a death occurs, the love others feel for you or the one that has passed is made manifest in their actions, words, and hearts.

The Darker Side of Death

The flip side of that card reveals those who would try to profit from grief. Greed is a powerful force and can lead people to do terrible things. Recently, there have been an increasing number of cases wherein a family leaves their home to attend the funeral of a loved one, only to discover when they arrive back home that their house has been robbed.

Thieves will read the paper, search for obituaries and then plan a robbery when they know the family will be away. Often they will target the elderly in hopes of finding unused medications. Many funeral homes have become aware of this trend and elect not to include addresses in Obituaries anymore. This is helpful, but in the internet age, information can still be found.

What You Can Do

You are not helpless. There are different steps you can take to combat this activity:

  1. Ask for House-Sitters – The best way to prevent this predatory behavior is to ensure that there will be someone at home. Find a neighbor or a friend that did not know the deceased who can stay at your home while you are away. 
  2. Remove Medications – Take away their reason for breaking in. You might even place a hand-written sign on all doors leading into the home stating that there are no medications there.
  3. Lock Up – As simple as this sounds, grief can make us forget even the most ingrained things. In several of the cases mentioned above, the owners never locked their front doors. Locking up as you leave is the easiest way to make it difficult for a thief to break in.

Here is a news report from WICU12 in Erie, PA that shows an example of this occurring and discusses the steps outlined above.

WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

Awareness is the first step in keeping your home secure. Knowing the problem exists allows you to plan ahead. Each of us should have a plan for when we die; it’s why funeral homes offer pre-planning services. Take advantage of this information and discuss the necessary steps to keep your family safe.

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Life Planning: Making a Great Ending

June 14th, 2013

Planning for the end is such a curious concept. So many of us worry about the life we are living and yet neglect to plan for that time when it will become more and more difficult to suck the marrow from our existence. They say it’s not the pace of life that gets you, it’s the sudden stop at the end. That line may be good for a chuckle, but for the majority of us, it’s just not true.

The End of Life

Life does not naturally careen forward only to stop abruptly. The reality is more akin to a car running out of gas. It’s running along just fine, engine purring, and then you begin to notice a few hiccups. The engine is still running, but it’s not doing everything it normally does. Something is missing, the engine struggles, causing the entire frame to jerk violently as it pulls and stops, pulls and stops. Eventually it quits, but even though the driving force propelling the car forward has stopped its thrust, the car hasn’t stopped forward momentum. It’s still moving. Steadily decelerating, yes, but moving until, finally, it coasts to a slow and laborious stop.

For most of us, on the day we die, our bodies will not be functioning as they did in our twenties. They will have broken down, ceased to function properly and yet still be pushing us forward. But that doesn’t mean we are destined to merely endure the end. It is possible to have happy and fulfilling final years; it just takes a little work.

Making a Good End

Judy MacDonald Johnston recently gave a brief talk outlining the basic steps required for ensuring a good end of life. The video is available for you to view below, and I’ve attached a short outline beneath it:


Judy MacDonald Johnston Prepare for a Good End of Life

Summary

  •  Make a Plan – You need to realize that your body is going to break down, possibly your mind as well. It is important that you plan for those events to take place so that when they happen your wishes are not only known but possible.
  • Advocates – These are people who will ensure your plan happens and be with you every step of the way. These need to be people that have the time to devote to seeing this through. Relying on your children may not work, so don’t just hold onto an expectation without discussing it thoroughly with them.
  •  Hospital Readiness – You need a brightly colored envelope which holds: a one page summary of your medical history, what meds you are currently on, and your physician’s information. It should contain a copy of your insurance card, power of attorney and do not resuscitate as well as any other pertinent legal documentation. This will expedite your admittance.
  • Choose Caregivers – Whether a senior care facility or at-home care, you need to make this decision ahead of time. Do not settle. These are the people that will be caring for you in your final days; make sure they are the right people.
  • Last Words – Not what you want to say, but what you want to hear. What reassurances do you need about the people or things you’re leaving behind? If you’ve made a plan, all of those important things should be handled, but you may need or want reassurance when your time nears.

If you are looking for more information on this topic, you can visit Judy MacDonald Johnston’s website Good End Of Life here.

Approaching the end of your life can be a beautiful time. It should provide an opportunity to find even more love and happiness, not be a trial you have to struggle through alone. With a little forethought, at the end of your life you can still have a fulfilling life.

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How Can I Pay Tribute?

June 14th, 2013

Each year hundreds of men and women who serve and protect our communities are lost in the line of duty. Police officers and firefighters put the safety and well-being of their neighborhoods first when they go to work everyday and some pay the ultimate price. Tragedy strikes the entire community when public servants fall. Families and friends must come to terms with the difficult meaning behind a loved one’s service to the world. And a good community has a debt to pay to these everyday heroes.

It is in these situations that you ask “How Can I Pay Tribute?” There are many different ways to show sympathy and respect to fallen service members.

Remembering FirefightersSending Flowers

At the time of the funeral, sending flowers is a wonderful expression of heartfelt respect. They provide a focal point and natural beauty in a trying circumstance. Flowers are an easy way to reach out and are viewed in many different customs and cultures as a sign of sympathy.

Moment of Silence

After a community has experienced loss, normal activities often have to resume quickly. If you are in a leadership position in an organization, big or small, it can be timely and comforting to suggest a moment of silence to remember the fallen. At the next ball game, church service, or even at your book club, publicly acknowledging these events and offering a moment of collective reverence can mean a great deal to everyone.

Candlelight VigilCandlelight Vigil

Organizing a simple meeting in a public space where people light a candle as a symbol of hope can bring peace and solidarity in an uncertain time. This is not the time for involved conversations or providing elaborate refreshments. Maintain an air of decorum and select a place that was meaningful to the lost or holds significance to mourners.

Donations

Offering support to families is a way to honor the deceased in a very real and tangible way. A collection for funeral costs or, on a larger scale, for a public memorial can be a way for an entire community to help pay tribute. Often involving a local bank to accept the donations in the name of the lost can simplify the process for the donors and the recipients.

Bring About Awareness

You may not be able to change a bad situation but you can encourage others with a positive awareness of good deeds. Whether it is wearing an awareness ribbon dedicated to the cause or  creating an opportunity for others to acknowledge lost members of the community, small deeds can be appreciated by those suffering.

An uplifting example includes two young girls in Houston, Texas, who gave the profits of their lemonade stand to benefit local firefighters who perished in a 5-alarm fire. This collection may have been financially small but was huge in bringing about community awareness.

When tragedy reaches into our lives, often it is helpful to the grieving process to reach out to those around you.

There is great strength in numbers and
it is always an appropriate gesture for a community to honor those that serve it.

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