When the time comes to say goodbye to a beloved companion, it can be hard to find the right way to process your grief. Losing a pet is a tremendous loss, and memorializing that precious friendship is a wonderful way to honor the many years of unconditional love your pet offered you and your family. Here are a few ideas …
The Very Real, Very Raw Grief of Losing a Pet
When speaking of the loss of a beloved pet, it’s easy to try and minimize the grief. Sometimes, people feel that their sadness isn’t justified. It was “just a pet” after all. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. Pets are beloved members of our families, often spending a decade or more sharing their joy and unconditional love with …
Eco-Friendly Death: What You Need to Know About Green Burial
If you haven’t heard of green burial yet, it’s doubtless that you will soon. Green or eco-friendly burials are becoming a more and more popular option for perpetual care. Many people are rejecting the traditional notion that burial needs to cost tens of thousands of dollars and make a huge impact on the natural environment. Green burial is inexpensive, simple, …
Dying Overweight: Are My Options Still Dignified?
If you or a loved one are very overweight, you may have unspoken worries and concerns about what will happen to the body after you/they pass away. Some very common, but often unvoiced, questions include the following: Will my body still be treated with respect and dignity? Can I be cremated? Are my burial options the same as those of …
10 Things You’re Too Afraid to Ask about Cremation
1. How do I know if the cremains returned to me are actually those of my loved ones? Carefully maintaining the integrity of the remains entrusted to us is of the utmost importance. At Tharp, we have a unique process in place where two members of our expert staff verify the body and sign off on the cremains so that …
Surprising Benefits of Prepaid Funeral Expenses
Taking care of prepaid funeral expenses and funeral pre-planning can be a surprisingly empowering experience. It gives you a sense of control over your end-of-life experience, ensuring that things can go just the way you hope they ought to. Here are a few surprising benefits of prepaid funeral expenses. Prepaid funeral expenses are just another part of end-of-life planning Think …
Everything You Need to Know About Memorial Services
Memorial services, (another term for a funeral or a celebration of life), are services to honor the deceased any time after their passing. Here is what to expect from a memorial service, and some basic etiquette you might want to know before attending one. Locations for memorial services A memorial service can be held almost anywhere. Such as: A funeral …
Words of Condolences You Should Avoid
It’s never easy seeking the right words of condolence to share with someone you care for who has suffered a loss. Even with the very best of intentions, the wrong choice of words could inflict more harm than good. Here is a sensitive guide to words of condolence to avoid, and a few that might be just right. Words of …
Why Choose A Local Community Funeral Home?
Choosing a local community funeral home can put your mind at ease when planning a funeral for a loved one. When you choose a local provider for your services, you know that you are working with someone who is an everyday part of your community. Someone who cares about you and your neighbors. Someone you could run into at the …
5 Uncommon (But Fitting) Funeral Flowers
How do you choose the perfect funeral flowers? Flowers are how we mark so many important, emotional milestones: births, weddings, and the celebration of a life well lived. Traditionally, funeral flowers consist of roses, carnations, lilies, and gladiolus. These are classic choices, but they aren’t the only choice. Here are some creative, non-traditional ideas to celebrate and honor your loved …