Children’s Books About Death

 

Death is a complex topic for anyone to discuss, especially children. Most young ones have not experienced loss and do not understand the concept of death or grief. This doesn’t, however, mean that you shouldn’t talk about these topics with your children, particularly if they have recently lost a loved one. Children’s books are an excellent way to introduce these topics in an age-appropriate way that can communicate the overarching fears and themes of loss while still normalizing the feelings children may be feeling as they grieve.

Here are just a few of our recommendations for children’s books about death:

Rabbityness by Jo Empson
Centered around a rabbit who fills the woods around him with color, this book teaches children that even when our loved ones are gone, we can still do happy things to remember them. This short yet poignant book beautifully conveys the message, showing children that there are still ways to cope with death while making you and others happy. The artwork is also whimsical and colorful, complementing the story perfectly.

Mother’s Jumper by Jayde Perkin
We love this book because of the way it discusses grief. Using a little girl’s mother’s sweater to represent her grief, the book explains that “grief may stay the same size. But my world will grow bigger around it.” This quote recognizes the pain children may feel with loss and respect that they may always grieve but that life still has many beautiful things left to offer.

Where are You? A Child’s Book About Loss by Laura Olivieri
As we all should remember, memories of our loved ones are powerful and can keep even those we have lost alive in our hearts. This book reminds us of just that. Written by a parent helping her young son cope with the loss of his father, we appreciate that this book discusses some of the most complicated questions about death, such as where people go when they pass away. In the end, Olivieri gives some practical suggestions for continuing the discussion about death with your children.

I Miss You: A First Look At Death by Pat Thomas
This book is excellent for kids of all ages and encourages readers to pause and ask themselves about their feelings and experiences. For example, who can you talk to when you’re feeling sad, and what can you do to help you feel better? It thoughtfully discusses the feelings that come with grief and lets children know that it’s okay and normal to feel those things. It also discusses how different cultures view and deal with death. This book is both conversational and educational, making it a great way to start meaningful discussions with your young ones.

What Happens When A Loved One Dies? Our First Talk About Death by Dr. Jillian Roberts
We love that this book is a kid-friendly resource for all things death. With both text and illustrations, it discusses essential yet difficult questions about topics such as the afterlife, funerals, and memorials. It also discusses death in different cultures. While straightforward, this book is still gentle in nature and great for kids of all ages who may have questions about loss and grieving.


Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer service. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your funeral planning and burial needs during this sensitive time of grief and mourning. We will do whatever it takes to make our workplace environment positive and translate to your experience with us.

Adolf Funeral Home has served the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for many years. We pride ourselves on being large enough to provide professionalism and reliability yet small enough to provide personalized service. To discover more about how we can serve your needs, please visit our website or call one of our locations today.

Sources:

1.        https://www.forjudeforeveryone.com/childrens-books-about-loss-and-grief/

2.        https://www.portrayyourstory.co.uk/childrens-books-on-death-loss-and-grief/

3.        https://www.griefandsympathy.com/books-on-death-and-grief.html

Organ Donation and Donating Your Body to Science

 

When one door closes, another door opens. Though death is a sad and emotional experience, it also gives you a once-in-a-lifetime chance to save another life or make a gift to humanity. Organ and body donation is one of the most generous and selfless things you can do that still honors the life and memory of those you lost. While most people are for becoming an organ or body donor, there are still several questions that the population is still unsure of. We're here to answer those questions!

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about body and organ donation:

1. What is the difference between organ donation and body donation? Organ donations involve organ transplants to other living people that can potentially save their lives. Body donation is when you donate your entire body to a medical school or hospital for medical research and science. If you choose to donate your organs, you cannot donate your body to science—bodies from which organs have been removed will not be accepted for medical research. Organ donation also does not include brain donation—brains are only used for medical research.
2. How do you determine if my organs are eligible for donation? Your organs are accepted once you have passed specific medical and social requirements. For example, if you have a medical condition that could spread cancer, heart disease, or another infection to another, your organs may not be accepted. This is determined by Organ Procurement Organizations (OPO), which will recover the organs after death.
3. How do I become an organ or body donor? You can register to become an organ donor at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when you renew your license. You can also register online. Once you've decided to be an organ donor, make sure your family knows your wishes so they can honor your decision once you have passed. To donate a body, contact a local medical school to see if they need bodies—they will likely take care of any costs to get the body over to them.
4. Can family members choose to donate their loved one's organs/body? Yes, family members can choose to donate organs on a dying person's behalf. The OPO must get the family's consent before retrieving the organs. Family members cannot override a person's decision if they have already decided to be an organ donor. Once someone has registered, family members must respect the decision.
5. What kind of funeral/end-of-life plans can I make if I choose either of these options? It is still possible to have a service for your loved one and even retrieve the remains after organ or body donation. Hospital workers will embalm a body well enough for an open casket or viewing after an organ transplant. Remains, or cremated remains, of a donated body, can also be returned to families within a year or two, so you can still have a proper burial or scattering of ashes. However, because organ transplants and body donations must happen quickly, it is best to plan a memorial service rather than a funeral or burial soon after death so you can still commemorate a person's life.

Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer service. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your funeral planning and burial needs during this sensitive time of grief and mourning. We will do whatever it takes to make our workplace environment positive and translate to your experience with us.

Adolf Funeral Home has served the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for many years. We pride ourselves on being large enough to provide professionalism and reliability yet small enough to provide personalized service. To discover more about how we can serve your needs, please visit our website or call one of our locations today.

 

 

Sources:

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/frequently-asked-questions-about-organ-donation-older-adults

https://www.pcrm.org/ethical-science/animal-testing-and-alternatives/donate-your-body-to-science

https://memorialsocietyofgeorgia.org/resources/body-organ-donation/

What To Do with Funeral Flowers

 

Planning a funeral can be an overwhelming yet healing experience, though for many, the stress often comes just after the funeral service. From the planning and the burial to the gatherings after the service, one thing's for sure: you'll be left with a LOT of flowers.

While flowers are a beautiful token of love and support, they can also be an added stress point during your grief if you're unsure what to do with them when the funeral ends. Fortunately, with a bit of creativity, you can do plenty of things to put your flowers to use after the funeral.

Here are some of our favorite things that you can do with your funeral flowers: 

•  Dry the Petals. If you want to keep your flowers long-term, consider drying your petals. Hang your flowers upside down until all the water drains out, and voila! You have beautiful, dried petals that you can use as potpourri around your home, or even place them in a jar or vase and display it as a beautiful piece of home decor.
•  Create a Keepsake. Let your artist run wild and use your dried petals to create a keepsake. You can also lay out your flowers in the sun if you would like to keep whole flowers. Create wall art by placing your dried flowers in decorative frames or using the dried petals to make your own floral candles. You can also set the petals in a clear Christmas ornament for a keepsake you'll always have around the holidays. The possibilities are truly endless!
• Donate. Consider donating your flowers to other organizations in your community who could use them. Churches, other funeral homes, community centers, and even nursing homes are always looking for flowers for a variety of programs and services that they offer. Donating your flowers is a wonderful way to spread joy and beauty around your community without letting them go to waste.
• Pay Tribute to Others. Take the flowers and consider putting small bouquets on other gravestones in a cemetery. This is a lovely gesture to others experiencing loss while respecting the lives and the memory of those who have passed.
• Compost. If you'd rather not keep the flowers around or don't have the time to bring them to other places, then compost them! Use the compost to plant new life in your garden, letting "death" create new life. What a beautiful and symbolic cycle!

Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer service. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your funeral planning and burial needs during this sensitive time of grief and mourning. We will do whatever it takes to make our workplace environment positive and translate to your experience with us.

Adolf Funeral Home has served the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for many years. We pride ourselves on being large enough to provide professionalism and reliability yet small enough to provide personalized service. To discover more about how we can serve your needs, please visit our website or call one of our locations today.

Sources:

https://beyond.life/help-centre/arranging-a-funeral/funeral-flowers-funeral/

https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-should-i-do-with-funeral-flowers-1131948

https://www.schumacherandbenner.com/pottstown/funeral-home/blog.aspx?ID=1183&Title=What%20to%20Do%20With%20Funeral%20Flowers%20After%20the%20Service

How to Talk to Aging Parents

 

Talking about the future can be difficult for anyone, especially those with aging parents. While you, the child, and your parents, may both be avoiding the conversation, it’s vital that you discuss future plans so that your parents remain happy while getting the care they need. Initiating that conversation, and keeping it positive, is the hard part!

If you’re worried about speaking with your parents about their future, don’t fret. You can do plenty of things ahead of and during the conversation to keep things painless and thoughtful. Read these tips on how to talk to aging parents: 

• Have a Plan. Go into the conversation with a game plan. Know what you want to address and try to keep an agenda with the questions you need answering. For every problem you think of, try to have a few potential solutions to guide the conversation. And be prepared to have this conversation with them a few times– the future is complicated, and you want to be sensitive to your parents’ feelings and not pressure them.
  
• Include Them in Decisions. Speaking of your parents’ feelings, include them in the decision-making process. The last thing you want is to make them feel like you’re taking away all their independence. Empower them to take the lead in decision-making and make them more comfortable as things change.
  
• Be Conscious of Your Tone. Be careful of the tone you’re using while you’re talking with them. It’s good to have a plan and be honest with your concerns, but you don’t want to scare them by being too pushy or pressure them into doing something they’re uncomfortable with. Try to be as respectful as possible, using a collaborative approach.
  
• Watch Terminology. The words you use during these conversations have more of an effect than you may think. Since you may be speaking about end-of-life plans, many of our words have a negative or “morbid” connotation, and you want to avoid that if possible. Try to follow their lead with their terminology; for example, how do they refer to death? Give them the distance they need when talking about these topics.
  
•  Listen. More than anything else, listen to what your parents are thinking and feeling. Hear what they say and try your best to understand their wants and needs. Speaking over them or interrupting can create a communication barrier, so you want to do your best to have an open line. And don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions; it’s crucial to fully understand what they’re saying so you don’t make assumptions.

Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer service. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your funeral planning and burial needs during this sensitive time of grief and mourning. Our staff will do whatever it takes to make our workplace environment positive, which translates to your experience with us.

Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services has served the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for many years. We pride ourselves on being large enough to provide professionalism and reliability yet small enough to provide personalized service. To discover more about how we can serve your needs, please visit our website or call one of our locations today.

 

 

Sources:

https://www.mentalhelp.net/blogs/eight-tips-for-talking-to-your-aging-parents-about-important-issues/

https://www.agingcare.com/articles/talk-about-future-with-senior-174484.htm

https://www.joincake.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-aging-parents-about-their-future/

Therapy Pets for Grieving Families

 

Grief is complicated for anyone to process, and when you’re overwhelmed with emotions, it can be difficult to reach out for help. In these situations, many people turn to therapy pets for comfort and support. Therapy pets during grief are so popular that more funeral homes are beginning to have therapy dogs and cats on hand to help families through the funeral planning process! But therapy dogs aren’t just another furry friend to have around– there are several benefits to having a therapy pet while healing from a loss.

If you’re considering getting a therapy pet to help you cope with a loss, then read on for some of the best benefits of therapy pets for grieving families: 

• Mood Boost. Having a pet can boost your mood– studies show that even just petting a dog can boost serotonin and dopamine levels in your brain, improving your overall mood and making you feel happier. Stroking a pet can also lower your blood pressure and make you feel less lonely. Think of a pet as a natural painkiller that also happens to be an adorable and kind friend!
•  Speechless Therapy. After experiencing a loss, many people are at a loss for words or do not know how to express their feelings in words. Some people are uncomfortable speaking about their deep feelings to another person. It is especially true of children who may be experiencing loss for the first time and aren’t comfortable sharing feelings with adults. Therapy pets are a great way for people of all ages to communicate their feelings without worrying about getting a response. Speaking your thoughts can be helpful, and a therapy pet will listen without judgment.
• Movement. Therapy pets, particularly therapy dogs, require care, often including physical exercise or activity. Dogs must be walked multiple times daily, forcing you out of the house to exercise with them. Exercise and fresh air will improve your mood and decrease your stress levels while giving you a sense of control of your life again.
• Self-Care. People going through grief also neglect their own self-care. Having a pet you need to take care of will remind you of what you need to do for yourself— exercise is one of them. Grooming, feeding, and even showing your pet affection will remind you to do the same things for yourself, giving you the self-care you need to heal and recover.

Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer service. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your funeral planning and burial needs during this sensitive time of grief and mourning. Our staff will do whatever it takes to make our workplace environment positive, which translates to your experience with us.

Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services has served the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for many years. We pride ourselves on being large enough to provide professionalism and reliability yet small enough to provide personalized service. To discover more about how we can serve your needs, please visit our website or call one of our locations today.

Sources:

https://esacare.com/turn-grief-into-joy-with-emotional-support-animal/

https://www.obannonfuneralhome.com/animals-and-grief

https://www.frazerconsultants.com/2017/07/ruff-times-how-therapy-dogs-help-the-grieving/

What You Should (and Shouldn’t) Leave at a Grave

 

The loss of a loved one is a difficult thing for anyone to process. Though they may be gone, we continue wanting to honor their life and cherish the memories we shared with them. Many people find comfort in visiting the graves of those who passed, strengthening the feeling that they are still watching over us even if they are gone. In the United States, it is common for people to leave a small token or decoration at the grave to show love and respect.

While many different items are considered "acceptable" to be left at a grave, there are a few basic rules of cemetery etiquette that you should follow to show respect to the entire cemetery. Let's review some of the things that you should and shouldn't leave at a grave.

Things You Should Leave at a Grave

•  Flowers. Fresh flowers are one of the most universally accepted things to leave at a grave site to honor and respect the dead. It is a beautiful way to commemorate your loved one, while bringing natural beauty and color to their gravestone. Leave them in a bouquet, or some gravestones will have a built-in vase for the flowers. Just ensure you're following any rules the cemetery may have about what kinds of flowers you can leave—for example, anything that could be poisonous to wildlife that circles through the cemetery.
• Flags. Leaving a small flag by their grave on holidays, such as Memorial Day or Veteran's Day, is respectful if your loved one served in the military. When choosing a flag, make sure it isn't too large, as this can distract other mourners. Additionally, if it's raining, you may not want to leave an American flag out, as this can be viewed as disrespectful.
• Coins. Leaving coins at a grave is also universally acceptable, and many cultures worldwide leave coins to show respect for the dead. The military, in particular, has a tradition of leaving coins at graves, with different coins having different meanings. Pennies signify you didn't know the dead but want to show respect, nickels mean you went to the same boot camp, dimes mean you served together, and quarters mean you were present when the loved one died.
• Stones. Per Jewish tradition, leaving small stones or pebbles on graves is common. Historically, this was to protect the loved one's grave from evil spirits and protect it from any animals that might pass by. Most people prefer to leave stones as the elements will not damage them. You can choose various stones, including birthstones, crystals, or rocks with special memories attached to them (like a pebble from a beach you and your loved one visited). 
  

What You Shouldn't Leave at a Grave

Though this can vary, the generally accepted rule is that you should not leave things that break the cemetery's rules or anything that the elements can damage. This includes: 

•  Fencing around the gravestone
•  Vases
•  Stuffed animals
• Plants and flowers that may be poisonous to wildlife, including poinsettias or holly berries

Talk with the groundskeepers at the cemetery to confirm what is allowed so you can show your love and respect without breaking any rules.

Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer service. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your funeral planning and burial needs during this sensitive time of grief and mourning. In addition, our staff will do whatever it takes to make sure our positive workplace environment translates to your experience with us.

Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services has served the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for many years. We pride ourselves on being large enough to provide professionalism and reliability yet small enough to provide personalized service. To discover more about how we can serve your needs, please visit our website or call one of our locations today.

 

Sources:

https://dying.lovetoknow.com/about-obituaries-memorials/what-leave-at-grave-practical-meaningful-ideas

https://www.joincake.com/blog/what-to-leave-at-a-grave/

https://www.evrmemories.com/decorating-the-grave-of-a-loved-one

Ways to Accept Death

 

Death is, unfortunately, a natural and inevitable part of the life cycle. Though most of us may not actively think about our own death, accepting that death is a part of life can be a healthy way to help us live our lives to the fullest. This is especially true for older adults and senior citizens who may be closer to the end of their lives or making plans for after their death.

No matter where you are in life, it’s never too early or too late to start emotionally preparing yourself for this difficult subject. Here are a few different tips and ways to help you accept death:

·       Talk About It. Death is often considered a taboo subject in our society, but the truth is that talking about death and connecting with others can make us more comfortable with the idea and process of dying. Talking about death will help you understand your feelings about death while comparing others’ thoughts and opinions with your own. Finding a healthy way to communicate your fears or questions about death is an effective way to process your feelings.

·       Educate Yourself. Take some time to read and learn about death. Some find that learning about how death is discussed in other cultures, religions, and societies can positively affect how they think about life. You may learn of a ritual or philosophy that is comforting to you that you never knew about!

·       Review Your Own Life. Take stock of your own life and think about what you’ve done and accomplished. Once you’ve realized all the wonderful things you’ve done, you may recognize how well-lived a life you have had. Many people fear death less once they’ve realized they have accomplished many of the things they’ve wanted to and have no regrets.

·       Practice Mindfulness. Practicing mindfulness can help you live in the moment while removing any anxiety you may have about dying. Breathe deeply and let your thoughts float by, taking note of your thoughts without judgment. Sit comfortably and try to relax as you complete the exercise. Work with a mindfulness coach to help you—remember that mindfulness takes practice, but the more you do it, the more at ease you’ll feel, and the more you’ll be able to live in the moment!

·       Appreciate Life. On that note, appreciate life! Recognizing your mortality may give you a renewed appreciation for life, helping you live your life to the fullest. Take the time to do things on your “bucket list” and genuinely enjoy yourself. Look for the little things in life that you love and let them energize you. Living your life to the fullest is the best way to achieve peace and understanding. 

Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer service. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your funeral planning and burial needs during this sensitive time of grief and mourning. In addition, our staff will do whatever it takes to make our workplace environment positive, which translates to your experience with us.

Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services has served the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for many years. We pride ourselves on being large enough to provide professionalism and reliability yet small enough to provide personalized service. To discover more about how we can serve your needs, please visit our website, or call one of our locations today.

 

Sources:

https://www.artofdyingwell.org/talking-about-death/coming-terms-death/accepting-your-mortality/

https://www.joincake.com/blog/mortality/

https://dying.lovetoknow.com/coping-grief/learning-how-accept-death-your-own-mortality