Cremation Ceremonies

Personalization

We encourage you to plan a personalized and meaningful funeral that highlights the life of the person who has passed away.  Your options are almost limitless, and we do our best to accommodate every request.

Take some time to think about the qualities that reflect the life of the person who has passed, and how they might like to be remembered. What were their hobbies and passions—their favorite music? What honors and awards did they receive? Were they sports enthusiasts, game players, volunteers, gardeners? Reach out to family and friends for stories and meaningful moments to share.

Regardless of the size or type of service - whether it’s a traditional burial, cremation, church or chapel service - we will help you add these personal touches to create a truly meaningful experience.  Click Here for a few personalization ideas you may find helpful...

 

4 Simple Tips for Choosing the Right Funeral Music

https://www.loveliveson.com/top-ten-funeral-songs-of-all-time/

What to expect from the arrangement process

If you have never made funeral arrangements before, even thinking about the process can be emotional and intimidating. You may be worried about how much it is all going to cost, or not know how you are possibly going to get through it...

Our staff is here for you. They are experienced professionals; experts in helping grieving families navigate through this difficult time. We will handle all the details; allowing you to spend time with family and friends.

When you call us after your loved one has died, we will ask for some basic information and then come take your loved one into our care. Then, typically within a day or two, you and your family members will come to the funeral home to make arrangements. It will be helpful for you to bring several things with you to the conference. Here is a checklist of everything you may need for your first arrangement meeting with us:

• Full legal name & Social Security # of the decedent
• Copies of insurance policies (either funeral/burial/preneed or life insurance) 
• Cemetery paperwork, if applicable 
• If you are not the spouse or next of kin, any directives establishing your authority to make decisions  
• Any questions you may have 
• Military discharge papers (DD-214) if applicable

(If the deceased was a veteran, we will need a copy of the discharge papers, also known as a DD-214 form in order to schedule military honors, obtain a flag, and to acquire veterans benefits)

If there is to be a public viewing or dressing is desired, please bring the following: 

• Clothing
• Jewelry & other personal items (rosaries, medals, photos, etc.) to be placed with the decedent in the casket.  These items can either be brought to the arrangement meeting, or on the day of the viewing.
• Recent photograph (to assist the funeral home staff with preparations for the service)

The first step is to gather vital statistic information.  This information is needed in order to prepare the death certificate, to obtain burial/cremation permits, to notify Social Security of the death, and to file claim forms for veterans.  We will coordinate with the deceased's doctor for a signature, and inform you of when you can expect it to be completed and certified through the Maricopa Office of Vital Records.  Complete accuracy is very important.  Any changes or modifications to the death certificate, once filed, will require an affidavit and additional charges.  We will not be held responsible for errors on the death certificate if incorrect or inadequate information is given during the arrangement conference.

Please be prepared to provide the following vital statistic information about your loved one:

• Full legal name
• Birth date
• Birth place
• Father's name
• Mother's maiden name
• Social security number (bring card if available)
• Marital status (single, married, divorced, never married, separated)
• Name of spouse (including maiden name)
• Highest level of education completed
• Race
• Legal residence: city, county, state and zip code
• State of residence prior to moving to Arizona
• Length of time in Arizona
• Military Status
• Occupation (prior to retirement)
• Place of burial (if applicable)

If you're unable to provide us with certain items in this list, you can always call us later to share whatever is missing.  (We will have a few days from the date of death to have this completed and turned into vitals).  If an item is left blank, it will show as “UNKNOWN” on the final death certificate.

After we gather vital statistic information, we will discuss final disposition options.  We will discuss and have you choose the needed funeral merchandise like caskets, burial containers, cremation urns and other personalization options that fit your needs and your budget.   

The cost of services will be explained completely to you before you make your choices. There are burial packages and cremation packages available that will assist in saving money and adding a level of convenience to the decision making process.

After the arrangement meeting, we will coordinate with your church or other desired service venue, cemetery or crematory and the appropriate government agencies to make all of the arrangements. During this time, we will also care for your loved one and prepare them for the services you selected. Then, on the day of the visitation or service we will be there to support you and handle all the details.

Eulogies and Tributes

Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D.

Helping Create a Meaningful Eulogy

Planning a meaningful, personalized funeral is one of the most important tasks you will ever undertake. Think of the funeral as a gift to the person who died. It is your chance to think about and express the value of the life that was lived.

When personalized, the eulogy (pronounced EWE-luh-jee) is perhaps the most memorable and healing element of the funeral ceremony. This article will help you choose the right person to give the eulogy as well as offer tips for writing and presenting the eulogy.

What is the eulogy?

Also called the remembrance, the eulogy is the speech or presentation during the funeral ceremony that talks about the life and character of the person who died. The eulogy acknowledges the unique life of the person who died and affirms the significance of that life for all who shared in it. The eulogy typically lasts 15-20 minutes, although longer presentations may also be appropriate.

Who presents the eulogy?

The eulogy can be delivered by a clergyperson, a family member or a friend of the person who died. Instead of a traditional eulogy delivered by one person, you may choose to ask several people to speak and share their memories. There is also a growing trend toward having people attending the funeral stand up and share a memory of the person who died. This works well, especially at smaller or less formal gatherings.

What if the person presenting the eulogy didn't really know the person who died?

Keep in mind that the eulogy doesn't have to be delivered by the person leading the service. Only if your clergy person or another person facilitating the ceremony knows your family well and can speak personally about the person who died is this appropriate. If the clergyperson didn't know the person who died, it's much more meaningful to have a family member or friend give the eulogy. Or you might ask several people to speak.

If your family would feel comforted by a religious sermon during the ceremony, ask a clergyperson to give one. Just be sure to have someone else (or several people) deliver a personalized eulogy in addition to the sermon.

If you must choose someone who didn't know the person who died well, make an effort to share with him or her anecdotes and memories that are important to you. Ask yourself, "What stands out to me about this person's life?" "What are some special memories I'd like to share?" "What were sometimes I felt particularly close to this person?" "What were some admirable qualities about this person?"

What should be said during the eulogy?

We have already emphasized that the best eulogies are personalized. They include memories and anecdotes of the person's life. They also try to capture personality. If the person who died was kind, the eulogy would give examples of this kindness. If the person who died had a good sense of humor, the eulogy might relate funny stories or expressions.

The eulogy doesn't have to cover every aspect of the person's life, however. In fact, often the best eulogies are those that focus on the eulogy-giver's personal thoughts and memories. Do try to acknowledge those who were closest to the person who died as well as important achievements in the person's life, but don't feel obligated to create an exhaustive biography.

Also keep in mind that the word eulogy comes from the Greek eulogia, meaning praise or blessing. This is the time to give thanks for a person's life and to honor his or her memory. This is not the time to bring up painful or difficult memories but to emphasize the good we can find in all people.
Some tips for eulogy-givers Writing and delivering a eulogy is a loving, important gesture that merits your time and attention. Though the task may seem daunting right now, you'll find that once you start jotting down ideas, your eulogy will come together naturally. Afterwards, many who attend the funeral will thank you for your contribution, and your eulogy will be cherished always by the family and friends of the person who died.
Here are some ideas to get you started.

• Be brave. The thought of writing a speech and presenting it in public makes many people anxious. Set aside your fears for now. You can do this. Focus on the person who died and the gift you will be giving to all who knew and loved him or her.
• Think. Before you start writing, go for a long walk or drive and think about the life of the person who died. This will help you collect your thoughts and focus on writing the eulogy.
• Brainstorm. Spend half an hour (longer if you want) writing down all the thoughts, ideas and memories that come to you.
• Ask others to share memories. A good way to include others in the ceremony is to ask them to share thoughts and memories, which you can then incorporate into the eulogy.
• Look at photos. Flipping through photo albums may remind you of important qualities and memories of the person who died.
• Write a draft. Once you've brainstormed and collected memories, it's time to write the first draft. Go somewhere quiet and write it all in one sitting, start to finish. Don't worry about getting it perfect for now-just get it down on paper.
• Let it sit. If time allows, let your eulogy draft sit for a few hours or a day before revising.
• Get a second opinion. Have someone else-preferably someone who was close to the person who died-read over your draft at this point. This person can make revision suggestions and help you avoid inadvertently saying something that might offend others.
• Polish. Read over your first draft. Look for awkward phrases or stiff wording. Improve the transitions from paragraph to paragraph or thought to thought. Find adjectives and verbs that really capture the essence of the person who died.
• Present your eulogy with love. Now you need to present your eulogy. You may feel nervous, but if you can keep your focus on the person who died instead of your own fears, you'll loosen up. If you break down as you're talking, that's OK. Everyone will understand. Just stop for a few seconds, collect yourself and continue.
• Speak up. It's very important that you speak clearly and loudly so that everyone can hear you.

A Final Word

Again, the word eulogy means "praise or blessing." Your willingness to help create a personalized, meaningful eulogy is, in fact, a very real blessing.

Driving in Funeral Processions and What to Do When You Encounter One

Article: www.funeralwise.com

 

When you arrive at the funeral home or church for the funeral service, you will see funeral attendants (staff members of the funeral home) waiting to direct you to park your vehicle. The attendants will park those vehicles that will be driven in the funeral procession in rows, typically with cars being bumper to bumper. 

 

If you will not be driving in the procession, the funeral attendants will direct you to park in another area.

Top 5 Things to Know About Driving in a Funeral Procession

• You will be driving very slowly – usually 30-40 mph on roads, depending on the normal speed limit, and no more than 55 mph on the highway.
• You will need to stay close to the car in front of you in the procession – do not allow room for a vehicle not in the procession to cut in.
• Stay in line and with the procession at all times – even if means you are going through a red light at an intersection. Local traffic ordinances give a funeral procession the right-of-way, and other motorists must yield until the procession has passed. Do not leave your place in the procession line unless there is an emergency.
• The last car in the procession will have 2 funeral flags and will also have hazards lights flashing to signify to other motorists that the procession has ended and that traffic may resume.
• Once you arrive at the cemetery, a cemetery attendant will lead the procession to the gravesite or chapel, and the funeral attendant will collect the flags from your vehicle.

Immediate family members may be riding in a limousine. But if you are family or a close friend and will be driving your own vehicle in the procession, you should arrive at the funeral home or church about 45 minutes prior to the funeral to ensure that you are parked near the front of the procession. All others will be parked in the order in which they arrive.

The funeral attendant typically places a magnetic flag, usually bright orange in color, that reads “Funeral” on the car. The flag is placed on the hood of the vehicle in the front left corner, over the driver’s side. If there are many cars in the procession, the attendant may place the flag on every other vehicle or every 3rd vehicle. You will also be instructed to turn your headlights on for the drive to the cemetery. Both the funeral flags and the headlights signifies to other motorists that you are part of a funeral procession.

When the funeral service is over, the pallbearers will transport the casket outside and place it in the hearse. A funeral attendant should direct you to get in your vehicle and be ready to follow those ahead of you in the procession line.

The procession is typically led by a black sedan (known as the “lead car”) bearing white funeral flags with hazard lights flashing – this lets other motorists know that a funeral procession is moving through traffic. Following the sedan is the hearse, and then the family limousines, and then all the vehicles of those driving in the procession.

What To Do When You Encounter a Funeral Procession

Just remember that funeral processions have the right-of-way. Here are some additional Do’s and Don’ts on how to handle a funeral procession that passes through an area where you are driving:

• Do be respectful.
• Do yield – once the lead car has entered traffic, such as going through an intersection – the entire procession will follow without interruption. Even if their traffic light is red and yours is green, you must stop and allow the procession to continue through the intersection until all cars in the procession have passed.
• Do look for the last vehicle in the procession – it typically has 2 or more flags and a hazard lights flashing. Once it passes by, you may resume the normal flow of traffic.
• Don’t cut into or cut off a procession.
• Don’t honk at a car in a funeral procession.
• Don’t pass a funeral procession on the right side on a highway, unless the procession is in the far left lane.

Vehicle Choices for the Funeral Procession

Funeral homes and other service providers offer various types of vehicles to transport the deceased and the family during the course of a funeral. They are:

• Funeral Coach
Also known as a hearse, a funeral coach is the traditional choice for transporting the casket in processions between service locations and to the cemetery. Because of the room required for the casket, there is no additional seating in this vehicle for anyone other than the driver and the funeral director.

• Limousine
These are elegant vehicles that are typically used to transport family members in funeral processions.

• Funeral Service Vehicles
These may include sedans or vans that are generally less expensive options to using a funeral coach and limousine. Service vehicles are also used.


Article: www.funeralwise.com

What Does “It’s All Taken Care Of” Really Mean?

When adult children are told, "It's all taken care of," regarding their final arrangements, what do they really mean?  Is EVERYTHING really taken care of?  ... CLICK HERE to read an excellent article by Gail Rubin - a must read for everyone! 

 http://agoodgoodbye.com/end-of-life-issues/what-does-its-all-taken-care-of-really-mean/

 

Funeral Flowers and Their Meanings

Infographic: What Do You Do When Someone Dies?

A clear, step by step guide on what to do when a loved one passes away.

Floral Tributes

One popular way to express your sympathy when someone dies is to send flowers to the surviving family or to the deceased’s funeral.  Family and friends often choose flowers as a means to express sympathy and show respect for the deceased.  The beauty, color and fragrance of fresh flowers bring comfort to a funeral service.

Sympathy flowers can be comprised of beautiful daisies, lilies, orchids, roses, tulips and more.

 

During times of sorrow, sympathy flowers are messengers of hope and thoughtfulness when it’s needed most. Flowers are an important part of our funeral customs, and serve as a reminder to celebrate the spirit of life. 

Remember, funeral flowers honor the dead and console the living.

For more information on funeral flowers, what kind to send, what kind of arrangement to send, etc., please visit our website: Sonoran Skies Mortuary - Floral Tributes