Calling Hours and etiquette

Hello all - please know that I try to be tactful when writing and it is not my intention to offend anyone. With that being said I would like to take a moment to discuss calling hours.

The tradition of two or three days of calling hours from 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm are for the most part, gone.  The new trend is either one set of calling hours from 2 to 4 hours in duration in one sitting the night before OR all one day service with a calling hour or two at the funeral home before a funeral service at the funeral home or place of worship, possibly with burial immediately following or not at all.

I am in the habit of having the family come in 1/2 to 3/4 of an hour prior to the actual start of calling hours.  This is to allow the immediate family to make certain everything is set up in a fashion that is acceptable to them and to allow them private time with their loved one in this setting before having to greet visitors.  This is why it is important that those wishing to attend calling hours adhere to the times posted in the obituary.  Many I have seen want to "speed visit" and think they will be in and out faster to pay their respects if they just get there a little early as there will be less of a crowd at that point.  I don't allow these people in until the posted time in the obituary because the service is for the family and not the visitor's  schedule.  The family I serve comes first.  Some visitors have gotten upset with me or support staff but they lost the focus as to why we even have calling hours.

Then there is the other end of the calling hours.  They are always posted to end at a particular time, please respect that.  This time is both physically and emotionally draining on families.  Just because you can't make it until 5 minutes before calling hours are to come to an end doesn't mean the family wants to visit for an additional 20 minutes beyond what they expected and they've already been there visiting with others for possibly hours.  It may be better to send flowers, make a memorial donation in lieu of flowers if that is what the family requested in the obituary, send a card or letter or leave an online condolence rather than make them stay longer just to not make you feel bad about getting their late.

The funeral homes I work at don't charge additional if calling hours run late however I am aware of some that do.  That additional cost associated may also be passed on to the family.

Families set the time span they want to have calling hours.  Please respect that if you are attending to "show your respect" to the family.

Holiday grief

Hello my friends.
The process of grieving and bereavement is different for everyone.  As much as the published psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and self-help writers "mainstream" that process for ease of understanding in their myriad of books, their diagnosis' are impersonal.  While I don't know you, the reader, any more than those authors, I have a few personal opinions and observations I would like to share.
Everyone goes through this process differently.  The 5-stages of grieving and bereavement don't always go in order, don't always last for the same duration in each stage, and isn't miraculously "done" on the one year anniversary after a loved one's death.  Some process things faster and some slower.  I guess what I'm saying it not to let people paint you into a corner telling you when you should move from stage to stage on a timeline or which stage you should be in at any specific time.  That being said, I have one general offering I make to all the families I serve.  If you find yourself "stuck" in any phase (no matter what order they come in) and it effects your physical health, relationship with others, or work, seek professional counselling.  If none of those are going on and someone offers you their off the cuff remarks of "get over it" or "you should be passed that by now", tell them where they can put their diagnosis.

"Holiday grief" can be Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Thanksgiving, the deceased's birthday, an anniversary or any other calendar event that held a special meaning between the deceased and the person feeling the grief.  You are NOT limited to only have ill feelings on the first of all those holidays again being painted into a corner where society says you must be "over it" after the firsts of each anniversary.  Ridiculous!  Again I say, melancholy is ok during these times specifically and if anyone doesn't like that, too bad.  I must add however, if the effects are such that you can't perform your day to day routines or have feelings of suicide, harming others, or great dispair, seek professional help immediately.

Grieving and bereavement is a journey, much like life, and not a destination.  Private counseling can be costly but there's still hope.  There's always hope!  Hospices have great services.  Many families I've served have used the services of Hospice of South East Connecticut, Southeast Mental Health Authority, Reliance House, church clergy, Backus Hospital Mental Health Clinic etc. with success.

Don't go it alone but don't think one size fits all with your emotions.

May you be able to enjoy your holiday, whatever you celebrate, knowing this journey through that dark place does in fact get better....to everyone at their own time.  I wish you well.

Funeral Service Celebrant

In many cases in speaking with families I hear the same response to some of my suggestions.  That is, "I didn't know I could do that."  It is for those families and for all the families I haven't served yet that I created this blog.  When people are informed going into a situation, the outcome is most often better than if they had gone in "blind" so to speak.  This particular post is just another of those circumstances.

I met with a family not too long ago who came in to the funeral home where I work and immediately said their loved one "wasn't big into church" and because of that, they were just going to have their loved one cremated and then they'd figure out what to do with them afterward.  Their thought?  Funerals they've been to throughout their lives had a priest, minister or rabbi officiate and because they didn't have one of those, they were just going to forego any service whatsoever.

That made my heart sad.  Someone had died who lived a long, productive life.  That person touched the lives of so many and because the family I was serving thought it would be awkward to have a religious person officiate if that didn't fully represent their loved one, they were going to let that story of the person's life go uncommemorated or otherwise, uncelebrated.

I introduced the family to Funeral Service Celebrant services.  Here's what that is.

Celebrants are creators of personal ceremonies and experts in composing and performing funeral services.  They are professional communicators who reflect the wishes and values of the loved one and the loved one's family.  They serve as hosts or officiants at the funeral and excel as contemporaries of families that are not particularly "religious".  They blend religious and non-religious themes and help families who would normally not have services.  The psychological effects of funeral services are therapeutic in nature and help people on the path of grieving and bereavement.  Celebrants are perfect for families seeking a more unique service as well as those who do not have a relationship with local clergy. 

A celebrant will meet with the family and learn more about their loved one and his or her hobbies.  The celebrant will research poems, songs and incorporate personal stories from family and friends to honor the life lived.  Services don't need to be a spectator event either.  Many services I perform incorporate family participation if they want (any many do).  Show the roots of the deceased and how they evolved over time during the course of the ceremony.  Death is certain for all of us.  It is a reality that we all must face from time to time.  How we navigate that time can effect us for the rest of our lives.  No life is insignificant and celebrants help bring that to light.  Lastly, the presence of community, family and friends around you at this time lets you know you are not alone.

These services then, as you can see, are truly one of a kind.  While the casket or urn selection, flowers, etc. are all "customization", relating a life-story and reliving high points of that life is "personalization".  Many people may select a particular casket, vault, urn, flower etc., but NONE will have the same story.  

Don't get me wrong, ritual is good.  Many celebrants work in conjunction with clergy to get the best of both worlds however, I personally feel I have not served a family to the best of my own ability if their loved one died and their story is left otherwise untold.  So many don't mention the name of the deceased after they die for fear it may evoke emotional responses.  That's the point however.  Tell the stories.  Some may cry, some may laugh, some may be a new story they didn't know about already and they may get to learn more about that person from the story.  But...if the story goes untold, none of that can happen.

Now I'm not saying we must get elaborate and it needn't be costly.  Celebrants can officiate in a back yard, field, on a boat etc.  The deceased's remains can either be present or not depending on many things.

So let's create the event of a lifetime.  Tell the story.  Every part of the funeral can be unique.

Ask your funeral service professional about these services if they don't bring it up.  For a list of Certified Funeral Service Celebrants near you go to http://www.insightbooks.com/ and click on "Find a Celebrant" in the lower right blue portion of the home page.

Let the story be told.  "We live on in the lives of those we touch."

Cremation Options

What is this you might ask?  It is an "Urn Arc".  That is, a way in which to present and otherwise display an urn containing cremated remains of a deceased person.  It also provides bars which are used for pall bearers to carry the deceased's remains from place to place.  This can be used at the funeral home, church or graveside.

So many of my families are now turning to cremation for final disposition but they are challenged with still trying to keep some portion or portions "traditional".  Here's one of the best ways to combine tradition with contemporary choices.  Many of my families have their loved ones cremated and then want services.  They know there are people who would want the distinguished honor of being a pall bearer but if there is merely an urn, only one person is needed to carry it and face it, it looks awkward.  With an urn arc, you can have from two to six pall bearers.  Additionally, the funeral home may use a hearse to transport the deceased in the urn arc from place to place giving another symbol of excellence and respect in transporting the remains to its place of final rest.

This is but one way to add a "traditional" sense of the service to an ever increasingly popular choice of cremation.

Ask your funeral director about availability as many funeral homes do not have an Urn Arc.  Our funeral homes do.

 

Casket - defined

Now there is a word that can evoke many thoughts and feelings.  In my business I prefer to look back into the history of the word and its evolution to today’s meaning.  The word “casket” may actually have its roots from the French word “casse” or “cassee” referencing a jewel case.  A place where one would store valuables.

Now that’s the way I use the word.  When I as a funeral director, take someone more precious than any gem, and place them in a suitable place after they die….that is a casket.  Then a fitting tribute to celebrate the life lived may commence.

Hope you all have a great week!

Why Have A Funeral?

• Personal Significance
First, we must establish the personal significance of the person who died.  We need to discover how important this person was to us.  It is almost as if we must inventory our loss before we can grieve it.  This is necessary because we really do not know the value of a person until they are gone.  Just have a loved one have to endure a risky surgical procedure and have to face the fact that you might lose that person.  You will have found value to that person far beyond how valuable you may have even thought they were in your life prior to that.  We don’t know what we have until we have lost it.  That is why we must establish the significance this person had in our lives before we can move on toward our recovery.
Planning is an act of love.  Some folks have tried to paint the funeral as plastic, costly, meaningless and even pagan.  They seem to think the sophisticated thing to do is deny death and ignore the inner need to express love toward a loved one who has died.
Our efforts to avoid viewing often leave far too much to the imagination.  Imagination will almost always make it worse than it was in reality.
Gatherings provide a chance to talk.  Visitation time(s) at the funeral home or friends dropping by the home give us the chance to begin telling the stories about our loved one.  We establish significance as we talk about the person.  The stories we tell will one day become the great memories that stay in our house forever.
The funeral gives us permission to grieve.  Our society seems to see grief as an enemy to be avoided.  Some think cultured people do not show grief in public.  They are to carry their heads high and never show any sign of cracking.  My friends, grief is not an enemy.  It is nature’s way of healing a broken heart.  We are actually doing the best job of handling grief when we are grieving.  The more we express our grief the sooner we work through this process that leads to health.  Nothing I know of gives us a better chance and more freedom of expression than the funeral experience.
• Unique and Personal
Families now feel free to eulogize their lived one or they may ask a close friend to do so.  Many families bring personal items and pictures to the service to further personalize the event.  Music is now more likely to be some favorite song the person loved or a song that meant a great deal to them.
The funeral is not about caskets and rituals.  The funeral is about mental health and healing.  When we have inventoried our loss and began the healing process of grief, then – and only then – has the funeral hone its vital work in our lives.
Of course I always respect the opinion, values and feelings of the family first and foremost.  My reason for writing this piece is not to minimalize anyone’s choices but to provide food for thought.  A consideration to make ahead of time.  The one who dies is where they feel they are after death.  Those left behind on this planet are the ones that then need to heal and go on.  While we memorialize the uniqueness of the life lived, I feel funerals are services for the living.
As always, if you have any questions concerning this or have personal questions you don’t want to post online, feel free to contact me by email.  Mark.Kalinowski@Dignitymemorial.com

- The information provided above is a culmination of text from our brochure “Why Have A Funeral?” written by a team of people with advanced degrees in grieving and bereavement along with this author’s input and personal and professional opinion.

The History of Taps

Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than Taps. Up to the Civil War, the traditional call at day's end was a tune, borrowed from the French, called Lights Out. In July of 1862, in the aftermath of the bloody Seven Days battles, hard on the loss of 600 men and wounded himself, Union General Daniel Adams Butterfield called the brigade bugler to his tent. He thought "Lights Out" was too formal and he wished to honor his men. Oliver Wilcox Norton, the bugler, tells the story, "...showing me some notes on a staff written in pencil on the back of an envelope, (he) asked me to sound them on my bugle. I did this several times, playing the music as written. He changed it somewhat, lengthening some notes and shortening others, but retaining the melody as he first gave it to me. After getting it to his satisfaction, he directed me to sound that call for Taps thereafter in place of the regulation call. The music was beautiful on that still summer night and was heard far beyond the limits of our Brigade. The next day I was visited by several buglers from neighboring Brigades, asking for copies of the music which I gladly furnished. The call was gradually taken up through the Army of the Potomac."
          This more emotive and powerful Taps was soon adopted throughout the military. In 1874 It was officially recognized by the U.S. Army. It became standard at military funeral ceremonies in 1891. There is something singularly beautiful and appropriate in the music of this wonderful call. Its strains are melancholy, yet full of rest and peace. Its echoes linger in the heart long after its tones have ceased to vibrate in the air.        
                      - from an article by Master Sergeant Jari A Villanueva, USAF.
Lights Out on the bugle:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTXo6uplYQE
Taps on the bugle:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-Xrlf3taEo
Personal note:
Additionally, I have a friend who was a Marine.  He’d cringe hearing me say that because after all we know, ‘once a Marine, always a Marine!’  He wrote the following poem and although it’s intended for a Marine, any branch could respectfully be inserted at the end.  He was kind enough to give me permission to read it at graveside services which I have done, and to publish it (which I would never do without giving him the credit at the end).  I am thankful that my friend is still alive and well, and never want to hear this recited in his honor.  Here is his poem:
BUGLER
Bugler please don’t sound the charge,
our ranks are getting thin.
Our arms are oh so weary,
and our eyes are growing dim.
There was a time so long ago
we answered every call,
Through shot and shell
and fire and hell,
we watched our comrades fall.
Now, I’ve got one more call to answer,
so one favor I ask perhaps.
As they lay this old Marine to rest,
will you honor me with taps?
Written by: Bill Robinson – 2008
Thank you for sharing these blogs.  Let us NEVER FORGET…..all gave some, some gave all.
To see a demonstration of FULL MILITARY HONORS cut and paste the link to follow into your browser  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhXkP2emFII&feature=related

Veterans - Part 3 of 3

Many civilians ask me, “What do we do as a civilian while the military do their thing at a military funeral?”  Here are simple, easy to follow steps to help honor those who served.
Expected Military Funeral Etiquette
While any funeral is a reverent affair, military funerals seem a bit more formal. Therefore, the family in mourning, and other family members and friends in attendance expect certain etiquette.
Military Personnel
If you are a member of the Armed Forces, you will be expected to behave in a manner becoming a soldier or sailor. Besides wearing your dress uniform, you should salute when it is appropriate (except if you are a pallbearer):
- When the hearse passes in front of you
- At any time while the casket is being moved
- During the gun salute
- While Taps is being played
- If present when the casket is being lowered into the ground
If you are in civilian dress, you should remove your hat and place it over your heart in lieu of saluting. Use your right hand if you aren't wearing a hat. Remain standing for the entire service except when the chaplain or other religious figure is reading the committal service if seating is available.
Family Members and Friends
Everyone in attendance at a military funeral should be dressed respectfully. Everyone should be comfortable but should also be dressed appropriately.
Allow immediate family members to sit in the chairs available at the cemetery. The next of kin should be in front, as he or she will be the recipient of the folded American flag given as part of the service. Family members and friends who are seated at the gravesite should remain seated throughout the ceremony.
Those attending the service should follow the lead of the chaplain or Honor Guard Detail. Cell phones should be turned off or at least silenced.
WHEN IN DOUBT
When in doubt, identify who the funeral director is before the services begin.  He or she has studied this topic as part of our training and your cues can be taken from his or her actions.
SOURCE: http://www.funeralresources.com/resources/military-funeral-etiquette/

Veteran's Benefits part 2 of 3

Taking care of our servicemen and women is an honor for me.  I get to give something back to the heroes who have given me so much in the way of freedom that mostly goes unnoticed behind the scenes but happens 24/7.

Veterans are taken away from their families for protracted periods of time, away on holidays, for their own child's birth, and many important dates. Families are never sure if when they say goodbye for a deployment if they'll ever get to hold their loved one again.  I am proud to serve those families as a way of saying thanks for putting up with so much in their own lives.  And, should the supreme sacrifice be made for us, I am all the more honored to give as much as I can back to the veteran and his/her family.

In Part 1 of this series, I provided a general summary of what the government might contribute if a myriad of conditions are met.  This second part is a little more cut and dried.

If you served in the military and received anything other than a dishonorable discharge, chances are very high you are entitled to the following by submitting the Veteran's DD-FORM-214 or similar proof of service to the funeral home:

An American flag, Military honors rendered at the graveside, funeral home or place of worship which includes a rifle salute (if available), taps, flag folding and presentation to the next-of-kin.
A veteran's flat marker in either bronze or granite, in a cemetery other than Veteran National Cemetery.  Some of the information to be put on that marker is mandated, however, some is voluntary and you will work on that with your funeral director. *Note: Even though the veteran is entitled to this, some cemeteries restrict the placement of these markers in various places within their cemetery. Check with your cemetery when purchasing property there ahead of time to make certain a veteran's marker will be permitted on that specific location within that cemetery.  In a Veteran's National Cemetery, other options are available including an upright white marble monument.

There is a veteran cemetery on Bow Lane in Middletown, and some cemeteries have a "Veteran's Section." Check with your local funeral home for these.  See link: http://www.ct.gov/ctva/lib/ctva/Cemetery_Brochure_rev_4.pdf

Some burial benefits are granted to the veteran's spouse in a veteran's cemetery.

It is always good to check ahead of time as to what you do or do not qualify for. That is why I will always advocate for making pre-arranged funeral plans.  I will be addressing this topic in greater detail in a future blog.

DD-FORM-214's or other official discharge papers should be preserved and stored in a safe place where family members know where to immediately access it.  Veterans might be entitled to other tax benefits as well so check with your local town/city.  You might be required to file a copy of your discharge papers with them which is another resource for us to attempt to locate it at the time of death for funeral/burial benefits.

I hope this is interesting and helpful to the readers. Some blogs are a bit longer than others but I want you, the reader, to obtain the most information possible under that specific heading of which I'm writing.

Stay tuned for Part 3 of this series which will discuss how civilians should act/re-act at a veteran's funeral/burial service.

Veteran funeral benefits part 1 of 3

Every day I thank God for our veterans.  Because of them I have the freedom to write these blogs without censorship.  Because of them I can worship freely on Sundays.  Because of them I can say what I say, do what I do and enjoy my life more fully and I thank not only the veterans but their families who understand the Veteran's call to duty.
Many times I have had a veteran's family come in to make funeral arrangements. Often times they say something like, "Dad was a veteran so his funeral should be taken care of by the government, right?"
While I would like give them a favorable response I have to give them the facts which I will list for you here.
* What are VA Burial Allowances? - They are partial reimbursements of an eligible Veteran's burial and funeral costs.  When the cause of death is not service-related, the reimbursements are generally described as two payments:  1) a burial and funeral expense allowance, and 2) a plot or interment allowance.
* Who is eligible? - You might be eligible for a VA burial allowance if:
You paid for a veteran's burial or funeral, AND you have not been reimbursed by another government agency or some other source, such as the deceased veteran's employer, AND the veteran was discharged under conditions other that dishonorable.
In addition, at least ONE of the following conditions must be met:
• The veteran died because of a service-related disability - OR
• The veteran was receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of death, - OR
• The veteran was entitled to receive VA pension or compensation, but decided not to reduce his/her military retirement or disability pay, - OR
• The veteran died while hospitalized by VA, or while receiving care under VA contract at a non-VA facility, - OR
• the veteran died while traveling under proper authorization and at VA expense to or from a specified place for the purpose of examination, treatment or care, - OR
• The veteran had an original or reopened claim pending at the time of death and has been found entitled to compensation or pension from a date prior to the date of death, - OR
• The veteran died on or after Oct. 9, 1996, while a patient at a VA-approved state nursing home.
So, how much does VA pay?  Service related death:  VA will pay up to $2,000 toward burial expenses for deaths on or after Sept. 11, 2001.  VA will pay up to $1,500 for deaths prior to Dept 10, 2001.  If the veteran is buried in a Veterans' Administration national cemetery, some or all of the cost of transporting the deceased might be reimbursed.
Non-service related death:  For deaths on or after Oct. 1, 2011, VA will pay up to $700 toward burial and funeral expenses (if hospitalized by VA at time of death), or $300 toward burial and funeral expenses (if not hospitalized by VA at time of death, and a $700 plot-interment allowance (if not buried in a national cemetery).
For deaths on or after Dec 1, 2001, but before Oct 1, 2011, VA will pay up to $300 toward burial and funeral expenses and a $300 plot-initerment allowance.
The plot-interment allowance is $150 for deaths prior to Dec 1, 2001.  If the death happened while the veteran was in a VA hospital or under VA contracted nursing home care, some or all of the costs for transporting the veteran's remains may be reimbursed.  An annual increase in burial and plot allowances, for deaths occurring after Oct 1, 2011, begins in fiscal year 2013 based on the Consumer Price Index for the preceding 12-month period.
How can I apply?  You can fill out VA Form 21-530, Application for Burial benefits.  you should attach a copy of the veteran's military discharge document (DD 214 or equivalend), death certificate, funeral and burial bills.  They should show that you have paid them in full.  You may download the form at  http://www.va.gov/vaforms/
For more information by phone you may call             1-800-827-1000       or visit the web site at http://www.va.gov (which is the source for this information)
IMPORTANT NOTE:  Please take note that most of the terminology says "might" or "if" and there are many stipulations of eligibility.  Also, it stipulates that if qualified, reimbursement will be made to you, the family who makes the arrangements.  This means you still have to pay the bill to the funeral home FIRST.  The funeral home won't bill the government and wait for approvals, processing etc.  I can say however, that our funeral home will assist your family with any paperwork or processes to help you receive the maximum reimbursement you are entitled to.
Veterans Part 2 of 3 will discuss what Veterans are entitled to at no cost.

Funerals 101

Funerals-101 (“I didn’t know I could do that!”)
The first consideration consumers should consider is if they want a “traditional burial” service, cremation with a service, or a hybrid between the two.  Of course there are what we in the business refer to as “immediate burial” and “direct cremation” options as well which I’ll also explain.
Traditional burial was formerly the standard by which all other service types were compared.  The deceased person would be taken to the funeral home where they would be embalmed (replacing the blood with chemicals to render the body sanitary for public viewing and to create a pleasant viewing experience), dressed and casketed.  There would be calling hours – sometimes called a “viewing” or “visitation”, which would occur the night before and may even take place over the course of two days.  The next day people would reassemble at the funeral home for a short period; a procession would leave the funeral home and go to a church where a service would be held, then a procession to a cemetery for burial.
Cremation – There are virtually unlimited options here which I’ll try to keep in synopsis form
a) Embalming, dressing, casketing and viewing/calling hours either all in the same day or the evening before with services the following day at the funeral home or church.  After the services, the deceased would be taken to the crematory thereafter.  The cremated remains may be retained by family or buried at a later date with or without ceremony.
b) Visitation/calling hours may be held with or without cremated remains present.  Funeral services can be held at the funeral home the same day or evening of the visitation/calling hours and burial may or may not take place thereafter based on preference.  Cremated remains may be retained by family or buried after the services with or without ceremony.
So many options!  Time is usually not a factor here.  While Connecticut law prohibits anyone from being cremated until 48hours after death, the services can be delayed to suit multiple preferences.  With such a mobile society today, family and friends are spread more widely throughout the state, country or even across the globe.  Services can be timed to coincide with other events that would bring people together.
Immediate burial is a relatively inexpensive option to those who for religious reasons or just personal preference do not want cremation.  There is typically no embalming, calling hours/visitation, funeral services etc.  A burial then takes place with or without ceremony.
Direct cremation is the least expensive option of all.  There are no services of any type, no burial etc.  Formal documents are signed to allow the cremation to take place and once the cremation is complete, the cremated remains are returned to the responsible party to take custody of them.
Options are many.  Remember my motto?  “If it’s not illegal, immoral or unethical, I’m on board!”  If you have questions about a service type you would like considered, please call or email me.
Mark Kalinowski at Church & Allen Funeral Home 860-889-2374 or Mark.Kalinowski@Dignitymemorial.com

I will next be posting a 3-part series for Veterans.  Come back and visit.

Funeral Q & A

I'm a licensed funeral director/embalmer in the state of Connecticut. It always seems like there's a list of questions people have for me once they find out what I do. Many ask me the same question time and time again so I figure I'd like to answer those questions publicly so more people can get answers to their questions and benefit from this knowledge.
Additionally, I will occasionally post tips, little known facts on some of the following topics:

• Burial versus Cremation: Cost difference, religious implication, common misperceptions
• Veteran Benefits: What our veterans are entitled to and where to get more info.
• Pre-arranging and the benefits of doing so: How it protects you and helps make your wishes known to your family.

And of course, I will try to tactfully answer your questions.  If they are of a personal nature, please contact me directly for assistance.
I hope you enjoy this opportunity.

NOTE: While I may mention the funeral service I work for in future posts, this is a blog and intended as such to voice personal opinions, experience and/or product knowledge.  My writings are just that, mine, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, practices or procedures of the company I work for.