How to Word a Request for Funeral Donations

When dealing with the loss of a loved one, the last thing you want to be thinking about is how you will afford the funeral. The cost of a funeral can be expensive, and for some families, hard to afford. Finding assistance that helps cover the cost of a funeral can be challenging. At Adolf Funeral Home & Cremation Services, we are here to help you. 

As long as you phrase your request for donations in the right way, it’s not impolite to ask. Take a look at different ways you can ask for donations for funeral expenses. 

A great place where you can ask for donations is in the obituary. The obituary serves as the notice of death and can be found online or in the paper. In the obituary, you will detail the biographical information of the deceased as well as funeral information. At the end of the obituary, add a line about where people can send donations if they choose to. 

You could also request donations in an email or letter. You could send the email or letter to your immediate and extended family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. You could also send it to the people in your loved one’s address book. 

The first sentence of your email or letter should announce the death of your loved one. Then provide details of the funeral, such as day, time, and address. After that, state that you need help raising funds for the funeral. You do not need to go into detail about why you need help, or even let them know how much you need because it is none of their business. Finally, consider using a crowdfunding website to collect donations, or ask that the donations be dropped off at the funeral home. Some times a lot of people are hesitant to be handing you donations the day of the funeral. Another great place to ask for donations is on social media. Social media has the ability to reach a lot of people very quickly, and when you tag your loved one, your post reaches more people than just your friends. 

Here are a few examples of how you could ask for donations in the obituary, an email or letter, or on social media. 

Obituary: 

“A funeral service will be held at 10 am on Friday, September 10 at Adolf Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to help cover medical bills and living expenses.” 

“Jim was an alumnus of Northwestern University. He personally contributed to the Wildcat Student Memorial Scholarship Fund each year. His family asks that all donations are made to this fund in his memory.”

Email: 

“It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Jim William Smith. He passed away Thursday, September 7. The services will be on Thursday, September 14 at 10 am at Adolf Funeral Home. Many of you have reached out asking how you can help my family during this time. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers and would also appreciate monetary donations to help pay for funeral expenses. Feel free to drop off donations at the funeral home or visit our GoFundMe page.”

Social Media:

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers over the last several days. I appreciate all your kind words about my mother, and I love hearing your memories of her. Many of you have asked how you can help our family during this difficult time. Instead of sending flowers, we ask that you donate to Susy’s funeral fund. We appreciate your love and support. Thank you. 

Adolf Funeral Home & Cremation Services is here to help you during some of the most challenging times in life. If you need help asking for donations, please feel free to contact us, and we will help you write a request. 

For more information regarding our traditional and memorial services, cremation services, or our pre-planning services please call (708) 484-4111 or visit our website. 

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Sources

https://www.joincake.com/blog/how-to-ask-for-donations-for-funeral-expenses/

https://www.joincake.com/blog/wording-for-memorial-donation/

Should I Donate My Body To Science

It’s a very personal decision when someone chooses what they want to happen to their bodies once they die. The good news is that there are no wrong answers; Some might feel very strongly about being buried in the ground next to a loved one in a chosen plot, and others find the thought of cremation more comforting. But one option that isn’t often discussed is donating your body to science. 

While a common initial reaction is to think that this is an extreme and intimidating course of action, donating your body to science is not only more common than you might assume, but it also is a noble and beneficial decision. Science Care eloquently explains that donating your body to science means you, the donor, are allowing medical researchers and educators to improve the quality of life for all of us, allowing countless generations to live longer and healthier lives.

If this sounds like an intriguing idea, here are a few things to understand about what happens when you choose to donate your body to science:

It Could Save You Money
While benefiting the medical community at large is the most obvious benefit to donating your body to science, this option also generally means significant cost savings for your loved ones once you pass. According to Considerable.com, on average, families can expect to spend over $7,000 with traditional burial, and a little over $6,000 with cremation. Donating a body to science not only is a beautiful course of action, but it could also decrease the possibility of financial hardship for your nearest and dearest. 

You Have to Qualify
Healthline explains that a donation through an accredited organization or nonprofit, such as a university donation program or local hospital, screens potential donors while they are still alive. You’ll be asked extensive medical questions regarding past illnesses and surgeries, possible drug use, and if you’ve ever been diagnosed with a communicable disease. While HIV, hepatitis, severe trauma and obesity may rule out donations to certain institutions, take comfort in the fact that more than 90% of donors who wish to donate their body to science are accepted; Considerable.com explains that being burdened in life with cancer, heart disease, or diabetes does not disqualify you from donation. 

You’ll Be Examined Again After Death
If you are approved for donation after your initial exam, your information will be kept on file until you pass away. Once that happens, another medical assessment would be done on your body to ensure that your condition at the time of death meets the chosen program’s requirements. If all goes well, your body would be discreetly transported to the appropriate facility and then immediately embalmed, just as it would at a traditional funeral home. 


If the thought of donating your body to science is appealing, then trust your friends at Adolf Funeral Home to guide you through the process with expertise and sensitivity. Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer services. 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 and will do whatever it takes to make our positive workplace environment translate to your experience with us. Adolf Funeral Home has been serving the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for a number of 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.healthline.com/health-news/what-happens-to-your-body-when-its-donated-to-science
https://www.considerable.com/life/death/what-exactly-happens-when-you-donate-your-body-to-science/
https://www.sciencecare.com/how-does-the-body-donation-process-work
https://www.parting.com/blog/body-donation-the-advantages-and-disadvantages/

5 Tips for Funeral Etiquette

When it comes to mourning someone you love there are no rules, likewise, everybody handles grief differently but there are still dos and don’ts when it comes to funeral etiquette. There are many factors to consider when it comes to attending a funeral, everything from what to wear and what to say, to if you should send flowers and more. Here are some tips when it comes to funeral etiquette to follow.

What to wear 

Gone are the days when everyone wore black from head to toe to funerals, but that doesn’t mean it’s appropriate to wear bright colors either. When it comes to dressing for a funeral take the less is more approach and dress conservatively in darker colors if possible such as gray, navy blue, and black. Pantsuits, dresses, a nice blouse, and pants or simple understated pants and shirts for men are all appropriate choices. Try to steer clear of busy patterns and bright colors if possible. 

What to say

The less is more theory stands true for words to say to grieving loved ones. A simple “I am so sorry for your loss” or “This must be a very difficult time for you, can I do anything to help?” Is enough to express your condolences and support. 

When to arrive

This is one occasion you don’t want to be late for. If you are prone to being late, try to get ready and leave earlier to avoid any pitfalls such as heavy traffic that might set you back. In general, you should plan to arrive approximately 10-20 early before the service. If you are late try not to become a distraction and sit near the back to avoid unnecessary noise. 

What to give

This is a personal choice. Oftentimes families of the loved one who has passed will request funds to be allocated to a cause they supported or were passionate about in lieu of flowers. If not, flowers or a plant that will last beyond the service is usually always appreciated by the family. Other ideas are a simple sympathy card, restaurant gift cards, a prepared meal, an offer to walk their dog, gift baskets, etc. 

Is it ok to bring children?

If the child had a close personal relationship with the person who died it is acceptable and even usually encouraged to bring them to the funeral. IT is a good idea to discuss expectations with the child and what they can expect throughout the day. You can ask the child to contribute by making a card or a special token for the grieving family. However, babies and toddlers who do not understand how to sit still and be quiet should stay at home or with a sitter during the funeral. 

Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer services. 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 and will do whatever it takes to make our positive workplace environment translate to your experience with us. Adolf Funeral Home has been serving the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for a number of 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.ftd.com/blog/celebrate/funeral-etiquette

Things you Need to Know When Planning your Own End of Life Care

Thinking about the end of your life can be an uncomfortable thought that you quickly push away to the back of your mind but planning for your end-of-life-care can actually give you peace of mind. At some point, everyone has thought about death and most people envision a peaceful and “good death” but how do you ensure your wishes will be met? Here are some common things to consider when comes to planning your own end-of-life care. 

Legal and financial matters
If you know your illness is terminal you should consider your financial health, including outstanding bills, funeral arrangements, loans, stocks, bonds, etc. so your family and friends are not left with questions or burdens. Consider seeking legal advice regarding your finances and Wills.

Create a plan
Do you want your favorite music to be played when you are dying? Do you want certain people in the room? Do you want medication to be administered? Do you wish to be buried or cremated? All these questions should be addressed when it comes to discussing your death. Creating an Advance Decision and making your closest friends and family aware of your wishes is important. 

Organ donation
If possible or medically advisable you can donate any organ or tissue you choose, including your brain to medical science. If this is the route you wish to take, ensure you write it down (Advance Decision), tell your family, as well as your physician. 

How would you like to be remembered
Everyone has an idea of how they would like to be remembered, whether you chose to have a more formal and classic funeral or find celebrations of life more your style, you can pre-plan your funeral. This is also a good time to either tell those closest to you something or leave messages after you’ve died. Some people might even choose to leave a memory box or video message for loved ones.

Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer services. 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 and will do whatever it takes to make our positive workplace environment translate to your experience with us. Adolf Funeral Home has been serving the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for a number of 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. 

Source:
https://www.dyingmatters.org/page/planning-ahead

Celebration of Life: What is it?

“One lives in the hope of becoming a memory.” ~ Antonio Porchia

When you think about your life would you want people to remember the happy times and celebrate or would you want a more traditional subdued affair such as a funeral? Many people are opting to choose a celebration of life to respect those who have died and for good reason. Subdued funerals or memorial services can oftentimes leave friends, family, and loved ones sad and overwhelmed due to the traditional practice.

While it’s always sad to lose a loved one, a celebration of life focuses more on the joyful aspects of the deceased's life rather than mourning. Here are a couple of things you can expect:

It’s ok to smile

A celebration of life might feel more like a party than a funeral. The location may have been chosen by the deceased before they died or in someone’s home, a park, or even a restaurant or banquet facility. Stories about the deceased are encouraged to share among attendees, along with music, favorite photos, and other personal touches. It’s more or less an upbeat memorial service. It’s ok to encourage humorous stories or memories as well as memorable situations as they pertain to the deceased individual.

Timeframe

Unlike traditional memorial services, a celebration of life does not have to take place right after the individual has died. A celebration of life can take place several weeks, months, or even a year after the individual has died. Some people choose the anniversary of the actual death for the celebration date.

What to wear 

A celebration of life is less formal but you should pay attention to cues when it comes to the location or venue and if attire is a question, always ask the planner what is appropriate.

Arrangements 

You may still send floral arrangements depending on the venue, but many people opt to choose arrangements that are less formal and more personalized to the individual such as an arrangement of their favorite color, sports team, or alma mater. Instead of floral arrangements, you may be asked to make a donation to a worthy cause the deceased individual was passionate about. Setting up a scholarship in their name is also common.

No matter what kind of ceremony you choose, always think of the deceased and if this is a way that represents their life. Cremation services allow family members to choose from burial to scattering remains to wherever they please. A memorial service or a traditional service is a beautiful way to say goodbye with all of their loved ones present. Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer services. 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 and will do whatever it takes to make our positive workplace environment translate to your experience with us. Adolf Funeral Home has been serving the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for a number of 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.thespruce.com/what-is-a-celebration-of-life-4583830

Signs Your Aging Parent Needs Hospice Care

“A parent’s love is whole no matter how many times divided.” ~ Robert Brault 

If you think back to your childhood you can probably remember countless times when your parents took care of you, wiping your tears after a fall, nurturing you when you were sick, driving you back and forth for sports, back to school shopping, the list is endless. As you become an adult yourself you might find yourself in the caregiver role as your parent’s age. From health and wellness concerns to financial considerations, some conversations might be difficult but are important to address, hospice care is just one of those discussions you might find yourself having so it’s important to know what to expect. Aging can be difficult and watching your parents become frail can be hard to accept. 

When it comes to hospice care, understanding signs that your parents might be ready can help reduce anxiety and stress and can also help honor your parent’s wishes. Here are some common signs your aging parent might need hospice care. 

Treatment is no longer working

Depending on your parent’s illness, they might have reached a point when treatment is no longer advisable or working. On the other hand, your parents may no longer desire aggressive intervention and may seek a better quality of life for their remaining life. Hospice care can begin when a doctor decides the patient’s life expectancy is six months or less if the illness follows its usual path. The doctor can recertify the patient for longer periods if your loved one lives beyond six months. Hospice care is 100% covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance providers for eligible patients. 

Hospital or doctor visits are becoming frequent 

Urgent care, emergency rooms, doctor’s office, specialty physicians, if the list and frequency of visits are becoming a common reoccurrence, it is a sign of declining health and might be time to consider hospice care

Confusion and restlessness 

Older adults near the end of life may experience restlessness, confusion, hallucinations, and even times of combativeness. If you notice any of these symptoms it is worth addressing with the primary physician.  

Changes in appetite

Unexplained weight loss, a change in eating habits and a reduced desire for food could be a sign that the body is slowing down or not digesting properly. 

Feeling overwhelmed as a caregiver 

Did you know there are 40.4 million unpaid caregivers of adults ages 65 and older in the United States? Most of these caregivers are adult children and are struggling to keep their heads above the water when caring for aging parents. If you are a caregiver and are feeling overwhelmed, hospice care can provide much-needed respite for everyone involved. 

Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer services. 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 and will do whatever it takes to make our positive workplace environment translate to your experience with us. Adolf Funeral Home has been serving the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for a number of 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.amedisys.com/resources/signs-aging-parents-need-hospice-care/

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/11/18/5-facts-about-family-caregivers/

Helping a Child Cope with Death

“Children will listen to you after they feel listened to.” ~ Jane Nelsen 

Most people believe that grief is more or less the same for everyone but that could not be farther from the truth, in fact, everyone handles grief in their own way. Each individual and relationship is as unique as their fingerprint so it comes as no surprise that how we cope with loss is also different. Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths surrounding how people grieve and cope with death, but this is especially true when it comes to children. Some believe that children are too young to actually go through the motions of grief but experts are finding this is not the case. In fact, research shows that not only do children grieve, but they grieve much differently and express themselves differently than adults. Here are just some of the many ways you can help a child cope with grief.  

Put emotions into words

Grief does not have a timeline so in the days, weeks, months, and even years that follow a death, it’s important to encourage kids to say what they are thinking and feeling and offer comfort, support, words of encouragement, and affection. 

Set expectations 

Nobody likes to be blind sighted and children are no exception. Try to be upfront with kids about what they can expect when it comes to memorial services, viewings, a celebration of life, cremation scatterings or any type of changes they may experience when it comes to a disruption in their schedule. If you need to be a part of the planning process for a service or need to spend time alone, let your child know who they will be staying with and how long you expect to be away so there are no surprises. 

Allow your child to have a role in the process

Giving your child a special role, even if it’s small such as a reading during the service or gathering their favorite photo of the person who died will make your child feel like they are a part of the experience and not left out. 

Help them remember 

Encourage your child to talk about the person and share their favorite memories of them with you. They had a different experience and relationship with that person and talking about them can not only help combat sad feelings but it could prove to be healing for you both. 

Allow them time

The process of grief does not have a timeline so it’s important to continue the conversations long after the loved one has died. Sharing memories and remembering the person stir good feelings and encourages discussions. 

Seek further support

If you notice your child coping with constant worry, sadness, or they are having trouble focusing and sleeping, they could benefit from counseling and grief support groups. Seek groups that specifically specializes in helping children cope with death. 

 Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer services. 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 and will do whatever it takes to make our positive workplace environment translate to your experience with us. Adolf Funeral Home has been serving the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for a number of 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.socialworktoday.com/archive/030415p20.shtm

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/death.htmll