What To Do With a Loved One's Ashes

Cremation has become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional burial for its affordable price tag. Cremation rates have almost doubled in the U.S. since 1999, and it’s only expected to keep rising in popularity.

Once you have the ashes, you may be asking yourself, “what should I do with my loved one’s ashes?” Believe it or not, there are lots of creative and meaningful things you can do that will still honor and respect the life of your loved one. 

Here are some of our favorite unique ideas of what to do with a loved one’s ashes: 

• Travel. If your loved one had a particular love of traveling, consider taking a trip with their ashes and scattering a bit of them in each country or state you travel to. Choose places your loved one felt connected to or visit places they’ve always wanted to travel to but never had the chance to go. 

• Sea Scatter. Scattering ashes at sea can be meaningful to many people, especially if your loved one loved sailing, swimming, or the beach. If meaningful to them, this can be a fantastic place to lay them to rest and a ceremonial sense of closure for you. Plus, scattering ashes at sea does not require a license; burial at sea will depend on where you live. 

• Garden Burial. Maybe you want to keep their ashes close to you, and that’s fine too! Consider burying them somewhere in your backyard, so you can feel their presence with you whenever you’re home. You can also “visit” with them easily and know precisely where they are buried, in case you ever need to move. 

• Tattoo. If you want to go a genuinely unique route, consider turning your loved one’s ashes into tattoo ink, and using it for a special tattoo anywhere on your body. This is an incredibly personal way to commemorate someone, and you’ll always know how close they are to you, no matter where you are. 

• Jewelry. If a tattoo is too much, turn the ashes into a piece of jewelry. You only need a little bit of the ashes to keep in a small necklace, ring, or bracelet. Like a tattoo, this is a beautiful way to memorialize a loved one and always keep them close to you. As your family expands, you can pass this on to younger generations to ensure your loved one’s legacy lives on. 

• Urn. Stay traditional and keep their ashes in an urn inside of your home. Consider making a display of mementos, pictures, and loved items of your loved one on a mantel or bookshelf and keeping the urn as part of the display. 

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. Our staff will do whatever it takes to make our positive workplace environment 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. 

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Sources: 

https://www.solacecares.com/blog/8-things-you-can-do-with-cremation-ashes/ 

https://perfectmemorials.com/guides/what-to-do-with-the-ashes-after-cremation/ 

https://www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/advice/what-to-do-with-cremation-ashes/ 

How to Talk to Kids About Memorial Day

 

Memorial Day Weekend marks the start of the summer for most families; however, it's important to remember the true meaning of the holiday. For many people, particularly military families, memorial day is the one day of the year dedicated to honoring those who sacrificed their lives to protect their country. 

Before you get too caught up in the barbecues and picnics, take some time to teach and talk with your kids about Memorial Day's purpose, history, and meaning. 

While Memorial Day may seem like a dark topic to discuss with kids, this is a perfect opportunity to help children understand that those in military service are heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we could live in freedom. Plus, you can keep it lighter, happier, and fun with all the festivities going on! 

Here are some simple and easy ways to celebrate and talk about Memorial Day with your kids: 

• Have a Moment of Silence. While you're celebrating with friends and families, ask your guests to pause for a moment of silence to remember those who lost their lives while protecting our country. Invite guests to call out names of loved ones they have personally lost while serving in the military and even say a prayer or sing a patriotic song. Children will pick up on the somber tone and remember the seriousness of the holiday.

• Create, Fly, and Honor the Flag. Raise an American flag at home with your kids, and talk about how the flag is used to honor veterans. What do the stars and stripes mean, and why red, white, and blue? This is the perfect time to answer these questions. You can even have an arts and crafts time and have your kids make their own American flags to decorate and hang around the house. 

• Visit a Cemetery of War Memorial. Take a moment to visit a veteran's cemetery or war memorial near you. War memorials will often have some essential educational information that you can discuss with your children. Bring flowers to lie on the graves of fallen veterans or memorials to honor and remember those who served. 

• Volunteer to Help Veterans. Many local churches or veterans groups in your area will often have service projects that need volunteers. If you can, take your family to help volunteer and meet veterans. Take time to speak with them, and even bring cards, treats, or drawings to show your appreciation. It is the ultimate gesture of respect and will impact both the veterans and your kids!

• Attend a Parade. Find a local parade in your area to celebrate with the kids. Wave your flags and teach your children to stand and clap when the veterans go by in the parade. If you can't find a parade, then watch one on TV!

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. We will do whatever it takes to make our positive workplace environment 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.

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Sources: 

https://www.military.com/memorial-day/celebrating-memorial-day-with-children.html#:~:text=The%20simplest%20thing%20you%20can,have%20paid%20the%20ultimate%20sacrifice. 

https://milspousefest.com/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-memorial-day/ 

https://themilitarywifeandmom.com/5-simple-ways-teach-your-kids-about-memorial-day/ 

How to Support a Friend with a Cancer Diagnosis

 

Finding out a loved one has cancer can be sad and overwhelming for anyone involved. Even more so, it can be highly confusing for friends and family to navigate supporting a cancer patient. Though it may be uncomfortable at first, it’s important to offer your support to your loved ones as they go through chemotherapy and recovery. 

Remember, there’s no “rule book” for supporting those with cancer, but cancer survivors with stronger emotional support tend to have a higher quality of life and a more positive outlook on life. And that’s certainly something you want to be a part of!

Everyone is different, so before you do anything, consider your loved one’s personality and your dynamic together so that you can offer the most appropriate support. Here are some of the best ways you can support a friend with a cancer diagnosis: 

• Notes and Calls. More than anything, make sure that your loved one knows they are still important to you. Even a simple text that you’re thinking of them will go a long way. Try to keep messages and calls brief but frequent, as they probably have a lot they need to do. Call at scheduled times that work for them, and make sure you always follow through on a callback. Return messages right away, and if you can, check-in with a caregiver to see if there’s anything you can do to support them. 

• Visits. Schedule some in-person visits, if you can. Cancer can be very isolating, and while patients may not want to talk, they rarely want to be alone. Be prepared to talk and listen, or sit quietly and keep them company. You may want to bring a book, some work, or even some needlework or a puzzle to do while they sleep or watch TV. Try to schedule your visits on less frequented days, like a morning during the week. More people are likely to visit on the weekend but remember that weekdays can be just as lonely. Just try to schedule your visits with your loved one’s caregiver, as they’ll know their care schedule and when the best times to visit are. 

• Listen. You may not know what to say to a friend or family with a cancer diagnosis, and that’s okay. The most important thing is that you showed up to support them, and you’re there to listen. Don’t feel like you need to respond if you’re unsure of what to say, and try not to relate to what they’re going through. Ask for their advice and opinions like you would have pre-diagnosis, and talk about things that make them happy like sports, friends, news, etc. As you speak to them, try to monitor their energy level and attention span – they may be tired, and the last thing you want to do is make them feel overwhelmed by having to keep up with a conversation. 

• Tasks. If you can, lend support to your loved one and their caregiver by running errands or completing tasks they need to do. This can be as simple as picking up groceries or medications, driving your loved one to an appointment, etc. You could also cook and drop off a homemade dinner for them and their caregiver or babysit children. Again, try to consult their caregiver to see what chores and projects they need to be completed. Taking care of a caregiver is just as important as taking care of a cancer patient! 

• Gifts. Small gifts are a perfect way to make your loved one smile. It could be as helpful as some special toiletry items, pajamas, fuzzy socks, or something they’d enjoy like a magazine, food and snacks, pictures of friends, or a journal. And if you can, try to give something to their caregiver as well. Insist that you do not need a thank you note in return, and keep thinking of small gifts you can give them throughout their recovery to brighten their day. It will go a long way! 

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. Our staff will do whatever it takes to make our positive workplace environment translate 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. 

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Sources:

https://www.cancer.net/coping-with-cancer/talking-with-family-and-friends/supporting-friend-who-has-cancer 

https://www.cancer.org/treatment/caregivers/how-to-be-a-friend-to-someone-with-cancer.html 

https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/the-best-and-worst-ways-to-support-a-friend-with-cancer 

Where to Look for Assistance with Funeral Expenses

Where to Look for Assistance with Funeral Expenses

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Even in the best of circumstances, spending a great deal of money can be stressful and distressing. But when it comes to spending money on planning a funeral service and the aspects of burial for a loved one, thinking about how you can afford such costs only makes a painful time more difficult. 

 

You may be asking yourself a multitude of questions to problem-solve: How am I going to cover all of this? What long-term sacrifice do I need to make to afford everything? Are there any ways I can save significant money?

 

Let's cover that last question. While aspects of a funeral service mean a substantial financial investment, plenty of resources exist that can significantly lessen the financial burden. After all, plenty of people, businesses, and organizations understand the grief and sorrow you are currently experiencing; questioning whether or not you can afford to properly say goodbye should not be an additional burden you have to carry throughout all of this.

 

If you need assistance with covering the costs of funeral expenses, here are a few helpful resources for you to explore and consider as you make your plans:

 

Illinois Department of Human Services

 The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) provides payment for funeral expenses of several groups of people, including those who received or qualified for assistance. Some of these programs include Parent/All Kid Assist, Family Assist, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Cash, AABD Medical, General Assistance Foster or Adoption Care, or Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled (AABD) Cash. The IDHS will pay a maximum of $1,370 for a funeral or $686.00 for burial or cremation.

 

Speak To Your Township

According to Illinois Legal Aid Online, your township's General Assistance program may help pay the burial costs. Read our Applying for General Assistance page for information on how to get General Assistance. The township will ask if the family wants to donate the body to science. If the family donates the body, they must ensure the institution follows the rules. The institution will move the body from the hospital or state facility.

 

If Your Loved One Passed from COVID

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), State of Illinois, and Cook County remind all  Illinois residents that financial assistance is available to individuals who have incurred COVID-19 related funeral expenses. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 21,000 families in Illinois are eligible for federal funeral reimbursement funding.

 

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. Our staff will do whatever it takes to make our positive workplace environment 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. 

 

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Sources

https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30367 

https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/what-happens-if-i-cant-afford-bury-my-loved-ones-remains 

https://www2.illinois.gov/ready/Press/Pages/061021.aspx 

https://www.funeralwise.com/funeral-arrangements/getting-state-assistance/ 

 

How to Write a Headstone Epitaph

There are many stressful and emotionally taxing aspects to planning the funeral of a loved one. But, perhaps surprisingly, one of the portions that cause an unusual amount of pressure and anxiety is what epitaph is most appropriate for the deceased’s headstone. After all, what information best captures a life well lived? How do you make sure family and friends understand just how special and beloved this person was?

 

An epitaph is a phrase or a description used to describe the life of someone who has recently departed. Many headstone epitaphs have three or four lines: the person’s name, birth and death dates, and the epitaph itself. The fourth line is usually placed at the top of these common three lines and says something along the lines of “In Loving Memory” or “In Memory of”

 

Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind to get your headstone epitaph just right:

 

Choose Someone to Oversee the Task

While several family members and friends can offer input on the headstone epitaph, someone should be in charge of the process. This person can do appropriate research, figure out the exact wording, find and negotiate the best price for the headstone itself, and promptly accomplish the tasks. 

 

Keep it Simple

Headstone choices can be overwhelming, especially for grieving families, because they can involve many personalized options. The best way to choose the best headstone and the accompanying epitaph is to keep it simple. Include names and dates and consider a brief inscription or quote. Keep the ornamentation simple, such as a flower or cross, which will often look more refined instead of engraving complicated images. 

 

Look to the Classics

If you find it difficult to create your own emotionally resonant inscription, get inspired by the best. Choose a line from a poem, hymn, song, bible passage, or famous author. 

 

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. Our staff will do whatever it takes to make our positive workplace environment translate 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://stoneletters.com/blog/memorial-quotes-headstone-epitaphs

https://www.usurnsonline.com/burial/12-tips-headstone-inscription/

 

How to Support American Heart Month

According to Everyday Health, heart disease is one of the most complicated and prevalent health challenges in the United States today. Disorders of the heart and blood vessels, otherwise known as cardiovascular disease, accounted for about 1 in 3 deaths (approximately 860,000 people) in the United States just five years ago. As if that statistic wasn’t frightening enough, the American Heart Association states that more than 126 million people had some form of cardiovascular disease between 2015 and 2018. 

 

Despite these humbling statistics and the continuous challenges facing those battling cardiovascular disease, there are some hopeful signs. One of these signs is that February is dedicated to heart health and awareness. Here’s how you can help spread the word to those in your community!

 

Follow the Daily Themes

During National Heart Health Month, each day of the week is given a special theme. Set yourself up for success with these hashtags:

• #SelfcareSunday means creating a self-care checklist for the week

• #MindfulMonday involves getting educated on your health stats and blood pressure numbers

• #TastyTuesday encourages you and your family to enjoy a delicious, heart-healthy recipe

• #WellnessWednesday means committing to getting your health into a wellness routine

• #TreatYourselfThursday means doing whatever you need to do to give yourself some fun and relaxation

• #FollowFriday allows you to share who inspires you to live a heart-healthy lifestyle

• #SelfieSaturday means posting a selfie with your favorite way to take care of your heart

 

Take Action:

Having a solid social media campaign to boost heart health awareness is crucial, but there are so many more creative ways to take action and actively fight heart disease. For example, consider one of these many possibilities:

• Teaching a lesson on heart health to your local community

• Hosting a month-long writing or art contest where students compose poems or short stories about healthy hearts

• Coordinating a day in the month where you and your co-workers wear red to promote a healthy heart

 

At Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services, we will do whatever possible this and every February to honor those suffering from (or who have passed away from) cardiovascular diseases by participating in initiatives to spread the word about Heart Health Awareness. 

 

Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer services. We ensure you are satisfied with all your funeral planning and burial needs during this sensitive time of grief and mourning. Adolf Funeral Home has served the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for many years and prides itself 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. 

 

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Sources

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/sites/default/files/media/docs/Fact_Sheet_25_Ways.pdf

https://www.actionforhealthykids.org/activity/celebrate-heart-health-month/

https://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-health/awareness-month/

 

Unique Ideas for Monuments and Headstones

 

Dealing with the grief that comes from losing someone you love doesn't end the day of your loved one's funeral and burial. It's a process that will, in all likelihood, take the rest of your lifetime to understand and heal from. 

 

As time passes, it's natural to think of ways to have physical reminders of the dearly departed one who has died. While writing them letters during the holiday season or making a scrapbook filled with photos, memories, and keepsakes are great ways to honor a loved one's memory; however, the most obvious way is to have a monument or headstone at their burial site. Sure, a monument or a headstone at their burial site provides details about who the person was and how long they lived, but it can also symbolize who they were in this life and comfort those closest to the deceased. Having a physical place to visit, and looking at something that tells the world who they were, is so helpful for families in this painful time of need.

 

So, where do you start? What should your memorial or headstone look like?

  

Unless your chosen cemetery requires it, memorials don't have to be a standard shape. One of the easiest ways to create a wholly personalized headstone is to design a uniquely shaped piece. In general, when it comes to what shapes are possible - if you can think it, it can be created! Think of what your loved one cherished in life and think of how a headstone or monument can reflect that. Was your loved one an avid football fan? Why not have a headstone shaped like a helmet? Was the deceased passionate about a career or hobby? A headstone can be shaped in a way that honors that beloved job or interest. Or, if you want something that's never been done before, get out a sketchbook to start bringing your unique idea to life. 

 

If a headstone doesn't quite suit you (or the tastes of your deceased loved one), consider ideas such as a memorial bench, planting a tree with a plaque, or engraving custom-designed carvings into the monument. If your grandma was an avid knitter or baker, perhaps incorporating a knitting needle or a picture of her specialty treat would be a great way to honor her. If your spouse was an avid reader, carve an image of their favorite book or perhaps a memorable quote from that book into the headstone. The possibilities are truly endless, and YOU are the one who knows best.

 

Selecting a grave marker is an important memento by which people will process their grief and remember their loved one as they visit in the years following a loved one's loss. For some, a monument or headstone acts as a simple gesture to the life the dearly departed lived, while others may want to think of more unique (and grand) ways to honor the deceased. 

 

 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 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. 

 

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Sources

https://gibsonmonuments.com/10-ideas-to-create-a-personalized-headstone/

https://everloved.com/articles/memorial-products/top-ideas-for-grave-markers/

https://stoneletters.com/blog/unusual-and-unique-headstones