Available 24/7  214-941-9592

How to Write a Memorial Biography

There are many ways to honor your loved one after they have passed away. From planting a tree in their name to starting a charity there are both big and small things you can do. One idea that we love is to write their biography. Not only does this act help you honor your loved one, but you will learn so much more about them as a person. Here is how to get started writing this special memoir after their cremation services in Irving, TX.

But What if You Are Not a Writer?

Now we understand that not everyone feels as if they are a writer. If this sounds like you, don’t worry, you can still create this tribute. First of all remember that this biography is not meant to be sold in stores and make it to the best seller list. This is for you and your family. Because of that, you can most likely write it with no issues.

However, if you simply want someone else to write it, that’s okay too! Maybe you have a friend or family member who loves to write. Reach out to them and see if they can help you. You can even reach out to third party sites and hire a freelance writer to create it for you.

What Information Should I include?

What information and how detailed you get for the biography is entirely up to you. If you would like to make this a very short project, then you could simply highlight all of your loved one’s major achievements and important dates.

If you would like to make this into a larger, more drawn out project you could go into great depth and detail about their life starting from their childhood all the way to the date of passing.

Get the Whole Family Involved

Getting the whole family involved in this project is great for a number of reasons. First, it can be a help them with their grief and healing as well. Also, they will have different knowledge of your loved one than you will. They may have stories or memories that you weren’t aware of. This can offer greater insight on your loved one, who they really were, and what their life was like.cremation services in Irving, TX (2)

The Biography is Complete, Now What?

What you do with the completed biography is entirely up to you and your family. Some people may choose to have it bound and printed for a nice keepsake for future generations. Others may decide to have it printed and make enough copies for family members so that they can each have their own copy. If you would like to have it published you could send the manuscript to editors of publishing companies. You can also self-publish it on sights like Amazon.

Whatever you choose to do, completing this project will help you feel closer to your loved one and learn more about them and their life. Completing projects like this after their cremation services in Irving, TX. can also help immensely with the grieving process and allow the healing to begin a little faster.

Ways to Cope With Losing a Parent

It goes without saying that there is a special bond between a parent and a child. Even when the child is a grown adult, their parents anchor and ground them to the world. When a parent passes away, it can be a devasting experience. As providers of cremation services in Dallas, TX. we know how difficult this time can be.

We also know that the time following the death and facing the new reality can be a tricky path to navigate. While never easy, there are things you can do to help with the grieving process. We are going to talk about just some of these things today.

Keep Their Passion Alive

If your parent had a cause or charity that they supported, keep their passion for this organization alive. You can do this by making a donation to this cause in your parent’s name. You could even offer to volunteer your time to help this cause.

Complete an Unfinished Project

If your parent had something that they left unfinished, a wonderful way to pay tribute to them and feel connected with them is to have it completed. This could be anything from a room they started painting, a garden they started, even a book they began to read. Completing these projects can bring a sense of closeness and comfort. If the project is too big for your handle, consider asking other family members to help or hiring professionals.

Create a New Tradition in Their Honor

What better way to feel close to and honor your parent that creating a new tradition in their honor? This is a really meaningful idea in that it will not only be something you do now, but will continue in your family for years to come.

The tradition can be anything and can be as big or small as you wish. If you can center it around something your parent loved, it can even be that much more special. For example, if you parent loved to hike, you could organize a family hiking trip once a year and visit all of their favorite trails. Maybe they loved to cook. You could create a Sunday morning tradition where you make their famous biscuits or have a night where you bake a batch of their favorite cookies.

Create a Memorial Scrapbook

We often have photos of our parent in various photo albums, but making a special scrapbook just for them can be very healing as well as create a wonderful keepsake. To do this you simply need a scrapbook and some glue or tape. If you choose, you can also add special embellishments such as stickers or stamps.cremation services in Dallas, TX

Then gather photos of your parent as well as any mementos you would like to add and arrange them all in the scrapbook. This could be a random order or start from their childhood and work up from there. This is also a wonderful activity to get the whole family involved with.

Final Thoughts

When a parent passes away, even as an adult it will be a devasting blow. You may feel lost and confused in this new reality that doesn’t have them in it anymore. While grieving is part of the process and needed to heal, it is a difficult thing to get through. While these things that we talked about today wont make the pain go away, it can help in the healing process.

If you need more help dealing with your grief, please reach out to a friend or family member. You can also reach out to us anytime. As providers of cremation services in Dallas, TX. We have several resources to help.

Best Practices When Attending a Virtual Memorial Service

While virtual memorial services were once a rare event, they are being held much more often over the past years. This started with the rise of Covid-19 and the restrictions to gather in large numbers but even though the pandemic has subsided, many people are still having virtual services for their loved one. As providers of cremation services in Farmers Branch, TX., we understand attending a virtual service is new to most people and can be confusing or even intimidating. Today we are going to share some best tips to make this process easier.

Logging On and Gaining Access

The first thing to know about attending a virtual service is how you will gain access. For example, if the service is going to be held over a Zoom video call, then you will need to access Zoom online and create an account. You will then be given the “meeting room” information and able to access the service.

If the service is going to be held over a social platform, such as Facebook live, you will need to make sure you have a Facebook account and connect with the host of the service. Since there are a myriad of ways to hold a virtual service check with the host of the service to ensure you are connecting with the right platform.

Allow Extra Time

Just as with an in-person service, you want to be respectful, and you want to be on time. In fact, you should aim to be ready to attend 5-10 minutes early. This will allow you time to connect to the service and have the host permit you access. It will also give you time to check your camera and microphone. This is especially important if you are set to speak during the service.

What Clothing is Appropriate

Some people may feel that since they are attending the service virtually, a more casual attire is appropriate. While it is true you may be in your home or another location, you should still wear an outfit that you would wear if you were attending the service in person. This shows respect for the deceased as well as the grieving family.

Get Rid of Distractions

Make sure that you can attend the virtual service in a space that will be free from distractions. If you have children or pets, make sure they are taken care of and will not be needing your attention at the time of the service. You might even consider getting a babysitter if you have young children.

You also want to remember that you might be on camera so don’t do things like fidget, eat, play on your phone, etc. You want to act as you would if you were attending the service in person.

Final Thoughts

Even though virtual services aren’t as commonplace as they were during the pandemic, they are still being held every day. Some families may choose to have one due to time, location, or budget. Whatever the reason, if you are invited to a virtual service, make sure to show up on time, dress appropriately and act as you would for an in person event.

If you have any further questions regarding virtual services or cremation services in Farmers Branch, TX., give us a call as we are always here to help.

The Different Urns and How to Best Maintain Them

Providers of cremation services in Irving, TX. understand that an urn is acts as a lasting tribute to your loved one. Making sure it is placed in an appropriate area and cleaning it properly will help it last and stay looking like new for generations. Here are some best tips for cleaning and maintain this special item.

Glass Urns

Glass urns are a very popular choice due to the fact they can be found in gorgeous designs and colors. These urns are also often times handmade by glass blowers and other skilled artisans. While they are beautiful, they are also very delicate.

This is why you need to make sure you keep this urn on a stable surface and that they are not placed in a high-traffic area in your home to best avoid the possibility of the urn getting knocked over and broken.

To clean these urns, simply wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth. If you wish to perform a deeper cleaning of the urn you can use all natural glass cleaning products as well as water. Just make sure to wipe dry after using water.

Wooden Urns

For those who wish to have a more durable urn, one that is made from wood is a great option. Wooden urns can be found made from a variety of hard and soft woods all having their own color and pattern to them.

While these urns are very durable against breaks, they do have some things that they can get damaged by. These are humidity and direct sunlight as both of these things can cause the urn to warp and crack over time.

To clean a wooden urn, simply use a furniture polish made specifically for wood and a soft cloth. Make sure you do not use water as this can also damage the urn over time.

Ceramic Urns

Ceramic urns are much like glass urns in that they are very delicate and can easily be broken, Therefore, just as with a glass urn, you want to make sure the space you keep this urn in is secure and out of the way of people or pets potentially knocking it over.

When cleaning a ceramic urn it is best to use a soft dry cloth and simply wipe the urn clean. Depending on the finish, some ceramic urns may be damaged by water. Check with the urn provider or try to avoid using water if you are not sure about your urn’s finish.

Metal Urns

If you are looking for a sleek design, metal urns are a great choice. These urns can be made from metals such as pewter, stainless steel and more. While they are durable, you will need to keep them out of direct sunlight as that can damage them over time.

The best way to care for a metal urn is to clean with a soft, dry cloth. Also, make sure the cloth is clean and free of any residue as metal can scratch very easily. If you have a metal such as stainless steel, these scratches are going to be very prominent. Additionally, to help avoid scratches, it is recommended to wipe along the polish lines and avoid cleaning in a circular motion.

After your loved one’s cremation services in Irving, TX., their urn will be an important piece in your home. Making sure you place it in a proper area and keep it clean will ensure it lasts for generations to come.