Here are two more reasons to celebrate our furry, feathered, scaled, or slithery family members. May 1 through 7 is Be Kind to Animals Week, while the entire month of May is National Pet Month. Whether you have a pet (or a half-dozen) or just admire them, caring for animals benefits everyone. Americans Love Their…
When the doctors gathered by my father’s bedside in August of 2007 to tell him that their week-long efforts to stop his internal bleeding had been unsuccessful, it was the hospital social worker who stepped in and made a difficult conversation about end-of-life care understandable in words that were simple, compassionate, and empowering. The doctors…
Stress-reducing suggestions when it’s time to select a final resting place and create a thoughtful farewell. Interment gives your loved one a final resting place. Interring your loved one’s ashes in a permanent memorial is a comfort to family members and friends as it provides a place to gather, honor, and remember for generations to…
Even though he never considered joining his family’s funeral home business as a career, Eric Kersey acknowledges that — in his own estimation — he has “embraced it.” His evolution from traditional funeral director to a family care specialist for Tulip Cremation, a five-year-old service specializing in online cremation planning, also exemplifies key shifts in…
Whether they are loving family members or paid healthcare and social services professionals, the dedicated individuals who identify as U.S. “caregivers” represent profoundly significant sources of support to anyone who is sick or nearing the end of life. According to recent data, the number of paid and unpaid caregivers continues to grow, the stresses and…
Valentine’s Day kicks off National Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Education Week February 14-21. This Valentine’s Day, take a moment to send warm thoughts to Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, practitioners, caregivers, and family members. The National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP) promotes a week-long education and awareness campaign each year. It can be challenging…
It’s a difficult conversation, but sharing your end-of-life wishes is a valuable gift to loved ones. If you have not talked to your loved ones about your end-of-life wishes, you’re not alone. According to AARP, only 27 percent of respondents shared their end-of-life choices. Meanwhile, 90 percent of people believe it’s a critical conversation with…
All Veterans deserve to receive benefits that they have earned by faithfully serving our country. Below, you will find a variety of resources to help you find the information you need. Applications Application for Burial Benefits Application for Headstone or Marker Application for American Flag Application for Presidential Memorial Certificate Request for Military Record Application…
When we lose someone we love, the religious and cultural traditions we practice can bring us comfort and healing during a difficult time. While many of us are familiar with our own religious traditions surrounding death, we may not know how different faith traditions mark the passing of their community members. Below we have summarized…