It’s important to honor your loved one in whatever way feels best to you after a service at a cemetery in Charlotte, NC. Here are some tips for creating a lovely and respectful memorial space in your home to honor your lost loved one.

To begin, choose a space. The number of keepsakes and decorations you want to use in your memorial should help determine what kind of space you need to use. If you want to use a lot of special items and decorations, consider using an entire room or some kind of walk-in closet at the memorial space, such as an unused room, a grown child’s room, an old office area, or an empty pantry. You can also choose a smaller area like a shelf, bookshelf, fireplace mantle, or other unobtrusive yet visible location in your home like an end table or coffee table, corner shelf, wall in a bedroom, or entire bookshelf.

What about cremation urns? If your lost loved one was cremated and you want to keep their remains in your home, you have a unique opportunity to display and honor the cremation urn. Create a special memorial space for your loved one centered around the urn containing the cremated remains. You can accomplish this by simply decorating the urn in some way, such as an engraved photo, inscription, or an urn with a photo frame. You can also use the urn as the centerpiece for the memorial and fill the space around the urn with photos, keepsakes, candles, and other items.

Don’t forget that your memorial space should be beautiful. Decorate it with lovely items like candles, pictures, artwork, flowers, greenery, or other items that both add ambiance to the space and reflect your lost loved one’s personality and style. Pictures are some of the best ways to honor and remember your lost loved one. And photos are a great place to start when creating your memorial area as a good picture can serve as the space’s central focus. Try restoring an old photograph, getting a new frame for an old picture, or using an antique frame for a new picture. You can also make a collage or use a double frame to display lots of different photos.

Your lost loved one accomplished a lot in their life, so honor those accomplishments by displaying memorabilia or awards in the memorial space. Include items from military service, university degrees or doctoral certificates, awards such as plaques and trophies, and more. You can also add items that represent religious beliefs, church activity, volunteer service, club memberships, their favorite books, or other hobbies.

Losing a loved one leaves behind more than just memories. You’re also left with photos, clothing, trinkets, letters and more – so use these items to create a memorial space in your home! Do you want more tips on creating a memorial space or more information on Charlotte, NA cemeteries? Call or visit us today for more information on our services.

While grief after a service at a cemetery in Charlotte, NC looks different for everyone, there are helpful tips that can help you cope with your loss. You’ll still always miss your loved one, you can look forward to a healthy, productive, and meaningful life if you allow yourself to grieve fully and openly.

To begin, take care of yourself. Put yourself and self-care first and you grieve. Don’t be afraid to turn off your phone and have quiet time or reach out to loved ones or friends for support when needed, binge-watch that TV show, or do whatever else you can do to help yourself feel better. Memorials like headstones are wonderful for grief as they provide a concrete place where you can go to remember and honor your lost loved one. You can set up a traditional memorial like a headstone, or you can create something more unique like a bird feeder, memory jar, painting, engraved heirloom, or even just a scrapbook filled with photos and memories. It can also be very helpful to write down the thoughts and feelings you have as you grieve. A journal is a space, a private space in which you can freely express yourself.

You also should exercise! Physical activity is wonderful for reducing the symptoms of grief. Take time to move your body in whatever way feels good, whether that means going for a walk, taking an exercise class, or even just dancing around your living room to your favorite music. Try honoring old traditions. While trying new things is great for grief, so is honoring and remembering the old traditions you had with your lost loved one. Considering doing some of the things you used to do together, whether alone or with another loved one or a friend. Facing the loss and your grief is incredibly difficult, but it must be done. Ignoring your grief and its associated feelings will not make them go away but will instead make them harder to deal with down the road.

Don’t be afraid to accept the changes in your life and try something new. Your life will change because of your loss, and resisting these changes will only make them harder. Take steps to make sure these adjustments are positive and healthy, like taking time for yourself and moving slowly. Consider trying a new hobby or pastime to remind yourself there is always the possibility for happiness and fulfillment even after a loss. You can try traveling, taking a class in a new skill, or even getting a new pet. You also need to prepare for and accept the symptoms of grief. When we grieve, our brains release hormones and chemicals that cause physical, mental, and emotional symptoms throughout the body. Be prepared for symptoms like brain fog, pain, or anxiety, and accept them as they come so they will leave when they’re ready.

If you process your grief, you can look forward to healing in your own time. We are here to help if you want more information on grief or Charlotte, NC cemeteries. Call or visit today to learn more.

Whether you’re having a cremation or a service at a cemetery in Charlotte, NC, it’s helpful to be aware of the basics of embalming.

Embalming is the preservation of human remains to slow decomposition and disinfect the body. The process is thought of as both an art and a science as it requires great skill and experience. Bodies are usually embalmed so they’re suitable for a viewing before a cremation or funeral service. They are also used to preserve bodies for medical purposes, whether for a laboratory or a medical school. Embalming is frequently required by state law or funeral home regulations. Some states legally require refrigeration or embalming if a body is not cremated or buried within a certain period of time after a death, while other states leave the requirements up to the funeral homes. While the exact laws and regulations vary, best practices are to bury or cremate a body within a few days of death or embalm it.

There are two main kinds of embalming, arterial and cavity, but both are usually used in the standard embalming process. Arterial embalming involves removing the blood from the veins and replacing it with the embalming solution. In other words, the blood is flushed out of the veins and arteries by the fluid. Cavity embalming is when the internal fluids are removed with tools called trocars and aspirators.

While each embalming expert might have his or her own preferred technique, here are the general steps of the embalming process. The first step is to wash and disinfect the body. The embalmer will also massage the arms and legs to ease rigor mortis and perform any necessary shaving. Next, it’s time to set the features. The embalmer sets the body’s features by closing the eyes and positioning the mouth. The eyes are often held shut by plastic caps and the mouth is usually wired or sewn shut. The next step is to inject the embalming fluids and cavity embalming. An incision is made in the right common carotid artery and the right jugular vein in order to pump about two gallons of a formaldehyde solution through the body. As the solution is injected, it pushes the blood out of the veins and into a drain attached to the jugular. Bodily fluids and remaining gas are removed from the internal organs, like the bladder, intestines, and stomach, by a suction hose and a trocar. A trocar is an instrument with a three-sided point attached to a tube for removing fluids. After the fluids are removed, the embalmer injects embalming fluid to preserve the body and help it hold its shape.

Finally, the embalmer then closes up any incisions made in the embalming process, gives the body a bath, and then dresses it. After about 24 hours, he will return to seal the incisions with a bonding adhesive to prevent leaks, apply makeup, and fix the hair.

We are here to help if you have more questions on embalming or Charlotte, NC cemeteries. We’re happy to offer our expertise and compassionate services in your time of loss or preplanning.

If you were asked to be a pallbearer for someone’s funeral or service before a cremation service, you need these tips for serving as a pallbearer for guidance and inspiration. A pallbearer is someone that helps carry or officially escorts a casket during a funeral at a cemetery in Charlotte, NC. Their duties traditionally consist exclusively of carrying the remains from the hearse to the church or funeral home before the service, and then back into the hearse after the service. If the remains are to be buried or inurned, the pallbearers also carry them from the hearse to the final resting place.

Hopefully these tips will help you calm your nerves and make sure you are ready to take on this honor. To begin, follow all instructions. Always follow the instructions of the family, bereaved, and the funeral direction. This is true even if you’ve been a pallbearer before or have different ideas of how things should go. It’s not your time to shine, it’s your chance to be respectful and honor the deceased. Also, turn off your phone. It would be horrifying to have your phone ring during the service or, even worse, when you’re carrying the casket.

Unless the bereaved specify otherwise, men should wear dark, solid suits with white shirts and conservative ties, and women should wear dark pantsuits or dresses. You really don’t want to trip when carrying the casket. Be sure to wear sensible shoes that will help keep your feet firmly planted on the ground and will be supportive when you lift the casket. Remember, being nervous is normal. It’s true that all eyes will be on you when you carry the casket, so it’s OK to be nervous. Just follow the instructions, breathe deeply, and you’ll be alright.

Turn off your phone completely or leave it in your car or at home. Being chosen as a pallbearer means that the bereaved trust you and care about you. It’s a privilege, so do your best to treat the honor with dignity and respect. This includes considering your attire. Pallbearers need to dress appropriately. Also, be prepared to lift. The main job of a pallbearer is to lift and carry the casket, so prepare yourself. Remember, it’s OK to turn it down if you’re asked to be a pallbearer by can’t physically do the job. Don’t forget to stay back and support the family. Don’t rush out as soon as the service is over. Hang around for a bit to offer support, comfort, and assistance to the family. Lastly, be on time. You need to arrive at the funeral home or service location at or even before the time specified. This way you can be as prepared as possible and not rushing or worried after a late arrival.

Do you need more guidance or assistance if when it comes to pallbearers or Charlotte, NC cemeteries? We are here to help. Call or visit us today to learn more about what we can do for you in your time of loss or of preplanning.

Death is something we will all face eventually. But what should you do if you have a friend or close relative who’s dying? While it’s hard, it’s incredibly important to visit them so you can show your love and support before your friend’s passing and service at a cemetery in Charlotte, NC.

But what should you say? How can you get through the tangle of emotions that comes with such a visit? There is a lot of awkwardness that comes from talking about death, but it may be helpful to remember that your friend or loved one might feel just as awkward about the subject. Here are some tips for what to say. To begin, just listen. Sometimes it’s more about what you don’t say than what you do say. They might just need someone to listen to them, hold their hand, and be their shoulder to cry on. After all, what they are going through is scary and overwhelming. Just being there to sit with them and let them express how they are feeling can be more than enough comfort. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Face the elephant in the room head on and ask questions about how they’re doing. They may not want to answer them, and that OK, but just having you be there to ask the questions is often comfort enough. Always let them decide how much they feel like sharing. Finally, be honest. Always be honest about your own feelings and experience. Feeling nervous, sad, or scared? Say so. Human connection is so important, and the best way to connect is through honesty. Also, don’t wait. You never know which conversation or visit might be your last, so don’t wait too long to make your visit and be sure you remain as heartfelt and loving as you can.

Don’t you want your friends and loved ones by your side when your time comes? The answer is probably yes, so you need to extend that same grace to your friends and loved ones as they pass. Also, friendship and family means being there to support a person through the good times and the bad. Yes, you may feel uncomfortable, but image how scared or uncertain they are.

Remember, this is the moment they need you the most. It’s understandable and even normal to feel uneasy or anxious about visiting with someone who’s dying. Most people have never been in that kind of situation before and therefore lack the experience and knowledge to know what to say or do. People also don’t know what to say or do because death and terminal illnesses are somewhat taboo subjects in our society and are therefore often not really talked about or dealt with.

Do you want more information on death or Charlotte, NC cemeteries? We are here to help. Stop by and visit us or give us a call today to learn more about what we can do for you.

It can be awful to see loved ones grieving when you’re far away from them, either in a different town or even in a different country, even though no one likes to see their friends, loved ones, or family in pain after a loss and service at a cemetery in Charlotte, NC. If you’re looking for ways to be there for someone in grief even from halfway around the world, these tips are here to help inspire you.

To begin, plan a visit. You might not be able to see and help them in person right now, but you can certainly plan a visit. This is especially helpful since the grieving process doesn’t end once the service is over, so the bereaved might need extra love and support a few months down the line after other people have moved on. You can also use technology. We are so lucky to live in a modern world with almost endless ways of staying in touch with people despite physical distance.

You can donate in the deceased’s memory. Choose a cause that was important to the deceased and let the bereaved know about your donation so they can feel something good has come from their loss. Even a small gesture can mean a world of difference to someone in grief. And, thanks to modern delivery services, it’s never been easier to send those small gestures even from across an ocean. Place an order for grocery delivery so they don’t have to worry about shopping or order them some food from their favorite take out place. You can also send flowers, candy, gift baskets, thoughtful gifts like books, gift cards, and a whole host of other delivery items to show you care and are thinking about them in their time of loss.

From Facebook and Instagram to video chatting, and even the classic telephone, use technology to reach out to the bereaved. Reach out when you can so they know you’re available, but don’t be pushy. Also, don’t feel like you have to talk or have meaningful words of encouragement. The best thing you can do for your friend is just to listen. What about donating or ordering deliveries? Cremations and funerals do cost money, and it might be very helpful for you to donate money to help the bereaved with some of the costs.

Finally, don’t ask what you can do. The last thing someone in grief wants to do is field a bunch of questions. So, instead of asking what you can do to help, just do it. Be proactive, whether that means sending over a cleaning service, flowers or food or paying for a grocery delivery. And remember, while it’s never preferable to be far away from someone when they’re grieving, it is possible to provide some comfort even though you’re apart.

Do you want to learn more tips or information about Charlotte, NC cemeteries? We are here to help. We can offer you more information beyond these tips for how to help your family member or friend when they’ve lost someone. Call or visit us today to learn more about what we can do for you in your time of loss.

If you don’t choose an event center with catering for a memorial with food after your loved one’s service at a cemetery in Charlotte, NC, you will have to choose an outside caterer. This might be overwhelming, but these tips are here to help.

The first step in choosing a caterer is deciding what kind of catering you want. There are three main categories: full service, drop and go, and drop off with service. Full-service catering is the highest tier of catering options as the caterer will take care of every step of the food service, leaving you free to simply remember your lost loved one in the company of your guests. Full-service catering takes care of everything including dinnerware rentals, staffing, setting the tables, serving, bussing the tables, and organizing the food. Full-service catering can be plated or buffet service, but no matter which kind the caterer will take care of the food whether that means staging the plates for plated or keeping the buffet trays stocked during service. Some buffet full-service caterers will also staff the buffet line to keep people moving, help with serving, and control portions.

Drop-and-go catering is the exact opposite of full-service. Much more affordable, this kind of catering is perfect for those looking to save some money on their lost loved one’s service. Restaurants and caterers will do drop-and-go service as all it requires on their part is to make the food and then drop it off at the venue. That means that everything else, from set up and tear down to utensils, service, and stocking is up to you. While you will save money on this type of catering, there are some issues to be on the lookout for. For example, it’s important to make sure that the food is delivered early enough for you to have time to set it out before service. Many people also forget how much stuff it takes to serve food: serving platters, trays, serving forks, serving spoons, hot boxes, refrigeration, and more. If you choose to go with drop-and-go catering, just be prepared. Give yourself enough time to set up, make a list of everything you will need, and maybe nominate a friend or two to help you keep the buffet stocked and clean up.

The final option is a drop-off with service. Most catering companies and restaurants that offer drop-off catering will also have service additions you can add to their basic plans. These additions could include things you will need for serving like trays and utensils, or it could even be staffers to help set up, serve, and tear down. Think about what kind of help you want from your caterer and ask them to give you a quote with those specific tasks added on.

There is a lot to think about, decide, and plan when you lose a loved one. Want to learn more? We are here to offer whatever assistance we can. Use these tips and our Charlotte, NC cemetery services to help make your time of loss and grief a little easier.

Memorial and funeral services are intended to preserve the memory, celebrate, and share the life of the deceased in a healing, healthy way. Planning a memorial after a service at a cemetery in Charlotte, NC, or at some other location, is one of the best ways that the bereaved can not only say goodbye to their lost loved one but also so they can begin the healing process.

How can planning a service help? One of the best things about our modern world is that traditions aren’t as rigid as they once were. This means that you can make a service for your lost loved one whatever you want it to be. You have the flexibility and freedom of choice necessary to honor your lost loved one in a way that’s just as unique as they were.

The following are just some suggestions for planning service, so feel free to go in a different direction if it’s what you feel is best. The first step in planning a service is choosing a location. This can be a funeral home, cemetery, church, or any other location that has meaning to you and your family. Some popular service locations include funeral homes, beaches, lakes, backyards, churches, golf courses, restaurants, and even local parks. Whatever location you choose, just be sure that it can fit the desired number of attendees and that is has the necessary amenities to meet your needs, from electricity and microphones to bathrooms and chairs.

You also need to consider music. Music is very important when it comes to services. Take some time to think about what kind of music will be best for your service and what kind of music will best reflect the deceased. Don’t forget about the guest list. You can host a service of any size, from an intimate moment with close family to a large event with the entire community in attendance. Just be sure you take some time to consider the space you choose and how many people will fit.

What about multimedia presentations? Our modern world has afforded us the benefits of technology, including multimedia presentations that can share memories of your lost loved one. Plus, these presentations are wonderful ways to preserve all your favorite memories in one simple place. Put together a presentation with photos, video clips, and music. And finally, think about guest participation. Guests don’t have to be simply attendees – they can also participate in the service by doing things like telling stories about the deceased, lighting candles, scattering ashes, or helping to release doves or butterflies.

These are just a few tips to get you started on planning a healing service. Remember, every person is different and therefore every service can be different, too. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box to honor your lost loved one.

Do you want more tips or information on Charlotte, NC cemeteries? We are here for you. Stop by and visit us or give us a call today to learn more about what we can do for you in your time of loss.