Why

I think everyone has an idea of what we do but many don’t realize why we do what we do.

Why do we have gatherings at the time of a death?

For thousands of years humans have marked the passing of the death of a loved one with ceremonies.  The ceremonies have changed a lot over the years, from building pyramids to today’s celebrations of life.  No matter the type of gathering and ultimate disposition of the body we as humans have the basic instinctual need to gather with each other to acknowledge our collective pain and grief.  We help each other as a group to move on.

That is why we do what we do.

Why do we view the body?

Viewing of the physical remains allows us to affirm the death in our minds.  Many try to bypass this step to spare their family from grief.  Loved ones are going to grieve no matter what, viewing the remains can be therapeutic; in seeing the loved one at peace, sometimes due to the circumstances of the death people would not like to have a memory picture in their minds of their loved one looking in the condition they were in.  No matter what the final disposition ultimately is, burial or cremation, this step can still carried out and is more often than not.

That is why we do what we do.

Why embalming?

Modern day embalming allows for the necessary time needed for families to gather.  Many families are spread out all over the globe and need some days to get home.  Embalming is the beginning step to viewing of the remains.  Dressing, hair, and cosmetics follow to present the remains for viewing and final good byes.  Many hours are spent behind the scenes by our skilled embalmers to make everything just right.  Embalming is used for burials as well as cremations with viewing.

That is why we do what we do.

Why Burial?

A burial spot not only acknowledges that we were here in this world, it serves as a focal point for the grieving family.  It is also a place for future generations to visit as they research your life’s story.  Burial can be a full casketed body or cremains.  Many families who choose cremation bury the cremains on a relative’s grave and some families will bury a potion at the cemetery and place a small monument on the grave to mark the location, and then spread some at a favorite location.

That is why we do what we do.

Why do a remembrance video?

We feel strongly that a video is a very import modern tool in resolving grief.  It is therapeutic for the family to gather and select the photos.  Many great stories are told as pictures are looked at to put in the video, the stories and pictures are always of the good times.  Many times the stories haven’t been heard before by some family members.  After our digital artist presents the pictures in a video format for the family it becomes a treasure.  Viewing the video over the years is a great reminder of the lost loved one.  It is also a great way to share family photos with the entire family.  This service is free of charge to every family we serve due to our belief in its importance.

That is why we do what we do.

Why do we customize so many things?

At first it seems that personalization of memorial folders and many other items is all about the deceased, but in reality it’s all about the survivors.  They are tangible items to save and treasure, something to hold and help remember your loved one and remember all the good times shared.  They speak volumes to their unique personality, a life well lived and their story.

That is why we do what we do.