Honor Those Who Died While Fighting in the U.S. Armed Forces

Although Memorial Day is known as a fun holiday, filled with friends, family, picnics, and barbecues, that marks the beginning of the summer, it’s important to celebrate Memorial Day for its true purpose. Take a moment this Memorial Day to honor those who lost their lives while fighting in the U.S. Armed Forces, particularly those who died as a result of injuries or in battle. Remember, this holiday is different from Veteran’s Day as it specifically honors those who sacrificed their lives to protect you and their country. 

It doesn’t matter if you know someone who has lost their life while in the U.S. Armed Forces or not, you should still pay your respects. There are many small things you can do on Memorial Day to honor their lives, including: 

• Saying Thank You. Write a thank-you note to a veteran for all of their service! Go visit veterans in person and listen to their stories, or write a thank you letter to a veteran that an organization can deliver for you. It’s never a bad time to thank the living for the service, and it may make you appreciate those who lost their lives even more. 

• Parades. Attend a parade or event that celebrates Memorial Day. Many local governments and towns will organize events that provide great opportunities for you to honor those who served. These parades are usually appropriate for people of all ages too, so you can feel welcome to bring babies or young children to celebrate with you.

• Flags. Buy some flags and decorate fallen soldiers' graves with American flags, or even just red, white, and blue. You can also decorate your house or lawn with these colors and flags, the same way you might for the Fourth of July. If you have a flag pole, you may also consider flying it at half staff on Memorial Day from dawn until noon time. 

• Flowers. If you’re not into flags or American colors, then decorate graves or your home with flowers to pay respects. You may also consider buying poppies from Veterans of Foreign Wars, the proceeds of which serves as a donation for state and national rehabilitation and service programs for veterans. 

• National Moment of Remembrance. Take a one minute pause at 3PM wherever you are to reflect on your freedoms, as well as those who died to give you those freedoms, while living in the U.S. 

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. 

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Sources: 

https://www.usinspect.com/blog/5-ways-celebrate-memorial-day/

https://www.parents.com/holiday/memorial-day/traditions/patriotic-ways-to-celebrate-memorial-day-with-kids/

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/memorial-day-history#section_4

Journaling for Grief

Our minds are astounding, conceptual systems invisible to the naked eye. The physical organ at the helm is our brain, but the only tangible measure of human cognition is our behavior; a series of unique responses to stimuli that is in no way replicated between two individuals.

When you consider the everyday functionality of the brain, or even the speed at which said functionality occurs every second of our lives, it is no wonder that when the shock of loss takes place in our lives, it struggles with sorting through the emotions of tremendous grief and necessary coping that come in tow.

While individual behaviors and responses to trauma do differ from person to person, we all experience grief in loss. We cry, feel anger, struggle with fear, or bottle up those emotions to remain strong for our friends and loved ones. Yet in one way or another, we are grieving before we start to cope and heal.

It Is Not Simple For Everyone

Nevertheless, there are those who take much longer to heal or possibly cannot move past the loss of a loved one, especially one that is unexpected.

Our brains being in charge of every vital function of our physical being and the emotional epicenter does tend to reach capacity at one point or another. This can cause a glitch in our systems, which many may experience as anxiety or depression, or it becomes an itch we cannot scratch, prompting anger.

So how do we clear our mental browser history, so to speak? Many have their preferences, but a proven method for several different individuals is journaling through their grief.

Emptying What Is In Our Minds

Our feelings are intangible and as previously mentioned, invisible to the naked eye. This makes them feel insurmountable, as we are physical, visual creatures. How can we overcome a feeling that we cannot get our hands on or walk away from?

Journaling about our grief makes those feelings tangible and in doing so, allows them to physically occupy our space and become a visual item our brain better understands. Also, let’s not forget that journaling is writing, and writing is an art form. Many art educators attest to the reality that art is our way of understanding ourselves, our identity, and the world around us.

Therefore, when you journal, especially with a pen and paper as opposed to a computer, you are physically putting your thoughts and emotions somewhere, removing them from your mind and putting them in a medium you can better understand.

We Are Always Here

In your time of grief and loss, we at Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services want to be part of your healing. Our team prides itself on our customer service in funeral planning and burial needs, with personalized attention paid to the sensitivity and individuality of you and your family’s grieving process. To discover more about how we can serve your needs, please visit our website to call or email us today.

Ways to Save Money on Funeral Expenses

When someone you love dies, you naturally want to celebrate their life to the fullest extent but that can cost upwards of the thousands of dollars. In the United States, there is an average of 2.4 million funerals a year, usually costing loved ones between $8,000 to $10,000. Preplanning your funeral will not only give you peace of mind that all the details and expenses are taken care of, but it takes the burden of planning off your loved one’s plate so they can grieve. If this step hasn’t been taken care of, you may be wondering what ways you can cut down on the expense of a funeral. Here are some tips to consider according to Wiki. 

Consider cremation.

Cremation is an alternative to traditional burial and offers a number of benefits in terms of cost. As a result, any budget-minded person should consider cremation as an option. When thinking about cremation, remember:

• Prices are substantially less than those for a full burial. While traditional burials could cost $10,000 or more, the average cost of a cremation is between $2,000 and $4,000. The price disparity is because you are saving money on a casket, embalming, and a variety of other products and services.

• Normally the funeral home will make the necessary arrangements for you and will call you when the remains are ready to be picked up.

• One way to save even more money on cremation is to arrange it directly through a crematory, rather than through a funeral home.

• Several companies offer already made, or custom-made, urns. Do comparison shopping for the best price. Urns can cost from as little as $100 to several thousand.

• You may want to forgo the urn and, instead, scatter the ashes in a special location.

Think about donating the body to medical research. 

Donating your loved one’s body to medical research is an important option to consider. Donation to medical research will both benefit the larger society and help enable you avoid the cost of a cremation or burial.

• You should consider your loved one’s thoughts on donation to medical science. Many people who want to be donated to science put a stipulation in their will or will otherwise inform friends and family of their wishes.

• If you (or your deceased loved one) favor/favored this option, you can contact your local university or hospital to see if it is a realistic possibility.

• This is by far the least expensive option. Normally the only cost of the donation is transportation. After that, you just have to choose and plan a memorial service.[2]

Set a budget. 

Depending on your choice of a final resting place, your budget will vary widely. Ultimately, though, your budget will in effect act as a guideline for every other step you take after establishing it. As a result of this, figuring out a budget should be your first priority when you begin the process of planning a funeral.

• Take into account any life insurance, burial insurance, or other money the deceased has left behind or specifically earmarked for their final expenses.

• Figure out if other friends or family want to or are able to contribute to your loved one’s final expenses.

• A good funeral director will help you work within your budget to create a service that will feel meaningful and special.

 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.policygenius.com/life-insurance/how-much-does-a-funeral-cost/

https://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Funeral-Expenses

American Heart Month/ Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

Did you know your heart beats around 115,000 times per day and pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood every day? Even though the heart weighs only around 1 pound its essential role in the body is like no other, and that’s why keeping your emotional and physical health in check is critical. The good news is, an estimated 80% of cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, are preventable., however, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, cardiovascular disease remains the No. 1 killer. Here are eight steps to prevent heart disease and stroke, according to the American Heart Association. 

Stop smoking

If you smoke, quit. If someone in your household smokes, encourage them to quit. We know it's tough. But it's tougher to recover from a heart attack or stroke or to live with chronic heart disease. Commit to quit. We're here to help if you need it.

Aim for a healthy weight

Obesity is highly prevalent in America, not only for adults but also for children. Fad diets and supplements are not the answer. Good nutrition, controlling calorie intake and physical activity are the only way to maintain a healthy weight. Obesity places you at risk for high cholesterol, high blood pressure and insulin resistance, a precursor of type 2 diabetes — the very factors that heighten your risk of cardiovascular disease. Your Body Mass Index (BMI) can help tell you if your weight is healthy.

Manage diabetes

At least 68% of people >65 years of age with DM die of some form of HD; 16% die of stroke . Other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and lack of physical activity can greatly increase a person with diabetes’ chance of developing cardiovascular disease.

Reduce stress

A few studies have noted a relationship between coronary heart disease risk and stress in a person's life that may affect the risk factors for heart disease and stroke. For example, people under stress may overeat, start smoking or smoke more than they otherwise would. Research has even shown that stress reaction in young adults predicts middle-aged blood pressure risk.

The heart is part of your body’s circulatory system. It’s made up of the atria, ventricles, valves, and various arteries and veins so keeping your heart healthy is important as ever! These are some of the many tips that will help you lead a healthy lifestyle. 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.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/life-after-a-heart-attack/lifestyle-changes-for-heart-attack-prevention

7 Stages of Grief

Grief is often discussed after the loss or a loved one, but don’t be fooled, there are plenty of other circumstances where one may experience grief and all the stages that come with it. You may experience grief after experiences such as losing a job or ending a relationship. Whatever you are going through, recognizing the stages of grief will help you recover and heal so you can feel like your best self as soon as possible. 

Although many people are familiar with the Kubler-Ross Model of the 5 stages of grief, some believe in the more inclusive 7 stage model of grief, which combines 2 more stages of grief together. These stages, in order, include: 

1. Shock/Disbelief. When you experience a loss unexpectedly, it’s only natural for you to experience shock and some level of disbelief. This may be a coping mechanism to help you avoid the pain of losing someone or something, and you may feel some emotional numbness to protect yourself from an overwhelming sense of sadness. It’s also not uncommon to have physical symptoms of nausea and dizziness during this stage. 

2. Denial. While some may experience denial in the form of literally denying the death of a loved one or loss of a job or relationship happened, others may experience denial by denying they are going through a hard time, affected by the loss, or denying themselves the opportunity to express their feelings. Denial may come from a lack of understanding of what happened, and until you can fully come to terms with what has happened, you may not come out of the denial stage for a while. Remember that there is no standard timeline for grief, and you should take all the time you need to process your emotions. 

3. Guilt. After reviewing and reflecting upon what has happened, it’s natural to regret not saying or doing something at the moment, or even feeling like the loss is directly your fault. These feelings are not logical or rational, and given that you are going through an overwhelming and chaotic time, you may feel an enormous amount of pressure emotionally. This can be scary and confusing, so find healthy ways to work through it, possibly by journaling or working with a life coach. 

4. Anger/Bargaining. Feeling angry with yourself for not being able to change the situation is a very real part of the grieving process. You may also just have feelings of anger because of the enormous amount of emotions you are sorting through, and you may take those feelings of anger out on other people, even if they have nothing to do with what has happened. You may find yourself then bargaining and trying to turn the situation around, however, this may end up leaving you feeling more powerless than before. 

5. Depression, Loneliness, and Reflection. During this stage, you may have come to terms with the circumstances, and have accepted the situation, but are now feeling intense feelings of sadness and depression. Because of this, you may want to spend more time alone. Though this is a good time to reflect on your emotions, try not to get too trapped in your depression and loneliness. Try staying active, making time to visit your loved ones, or even planning some type of trip outside of the house to help you regain a more positive outlook on life.

6. Reconstruction. When you return to a clearer state of mind and more normalcy in your life, you will begin wanting to sort things out to begin life as it was before your grief began. This may be returning to pay more attention to your physical health, your financial problems, or other daily tasks that one may lose sight of during the stages of grief. It’s great that you are beginning to move on, just remember that it’s okay to still have feelings of sorrow and sadness during this time. No one expects you to move on quickly!

7. Acceptance. Acceptance comes with the ability to say, “I recognize this happened, I can cope with these feelings, and I will be okay.” You may think about your loss, but you won’t feel an immense sense of pain anymore, and you may have more feelings of hope and positivity. 

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. 

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Sources: 

https://www.thrivetalk.com/7-stages-of-grief/

https://www.medicinenet.com/loss_grief_and_bereavement/article.htm

Remembering Loved Ones During the Holidays

When most people think of the holiday season they often associate it with traditions, warm thoughts, baking, gift-giving, lights, and joy, but if you lost a loved one, chances are, your idea of the holidays might be different. The holidays can be very painful if you lost someone close to you, the music you once found comforting can evoke feelings of sadness, traditions you once cherished can become a source of pain if you once did them with the person you lost. So how do you remember and honor those who you’ve lost along the way? Here are some ideas from Love Lives On. 

1.  Purchase or make your own personalized ‘in memory’ at Christmas ornament with your loved one’s name or photo on it to commemorate your loved one.  Gather the family together and share memories of your loved one while you hang the ornament on the Christmas tree.

2.  Tie a beautiful ribbon around the trunk of your Christmas tree in your loved one’s favorite color.  This is an activity that the youngest members of the family can participate in.

3.  Remembering loved ones at Christmas is simple to do by hanging stockings with their names embroidered on them.  On Christmas Eve, have your family members fill the stockings with cards and letters to or about your loved ones.  You can all take turns reading the memories out loud on Christmas Day.  This is sure to become a beautiful and meaningful family tradition.

4.  Make an angel tree topper in memory of your loved one to top your Christmas tree.  You could make the angel’s clothes or wings out of your loved one’s clothing.

5.  Dedicate a small Christmas tree to your loved one and decorate it with photos, notes, and special ‘in memory’ at Christmas ornaments.

6.  Make a memory wreath dedicated to your loved one and hang it on your front door.  Decorate the memory wreath with ribbons in your loved one’s favorite colors, sentimental objects, and photographs.

7.  Buy a special candle and dedicate it to your loved one’s memory.  Keep it lit throughout the Christmas season (but do not leave it unattended).

8.  If you enjoy doing crafts, try making a memory candle with a treasured photograph of your loved one.  Again, keep it lit throughout the holiday season.

9.  At your place of worship, light candles in your loved one’s name or remember him or her in prayer.

10.  Set up a memorial table in your home for remembering loved ones.  When friends and family come over for Christmas dinner, ask them to bring a small memento to place on the memory table that reminds them of someone special that has passed away.

These are just a few of the many ways you can honor and create new traditions without your loved one during the holidays. 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.loveliveson.com/remembering-loved-ones-at-christmas/#:~:text=Remembering%20loved%20ones%20at%20Christmas%20is%20simple%20to%20do%20by,out%20loud%20on%20Christmas%20Day.https://whatsyourgrief.com/creating-new-tradition-after-a-death/

How to Know When to Move Seniors into Assisted Living

 

Few people like the idea of moving from their homes into senior living communities. However, in some cases, this move is the best option for keeping an aging loved one safe as well as mentally and physically healthy. How do you know when it’s time to move aging parents to assisted living or a nursing home? Here are five signs to watch out for:

Difficulty with basic tasks

We all do dozens of little tasks each day that we take for granted need to be done – making meals, tidying rooms, doing laundry, paying bills. No one likes having to do them, but the effects of aging can reach a point where they’re much harder to do. Carrying things or moving from room to room can get more painful, for example, and suddenly the simple chore of laundry becomes much more difficult. Does your loved one have a harder time accomplishing everyday tasks?

Chores being neglected

One way some seniors deal with it when things start to get more difficult is simply not to. If your loved one is letting the dishes pile up, has a home covered in dust, and an ever growing pile of dirty clothes, it’s a sign they need some help.

Frequent injuries (even if minor)

2.5 million seniors are treated every year for injuries related to falls and in many cases the damage is serious. Minor injuries become a much bigger deal the older you get and if your loved one is suffering from them, then they likely need more day-to-day help than they’re willing to admit.

Significant weight loss

Eating well is one of the most basic of human needs. If your loved one isn’t maintaining a healthy weight, it could be because they’re having a hard time cooking their meals or they have a loss of appetite symptomatic of some larger problem. Either way, if they need assistance with as basic a task as eating often enough, they should have regular care.

A tendency toward isolation

Loneliness can be as bad for a senior’s health as an illness. If they’re not getting out and remaining active, living somewhere where they can tap into a community without leaving could be the trick. An assisted living home does mean less independence, but the other side of that coin is access to a whole new social community.

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.