Monthly Archives: September 2021

Ways to Let People Know a Loved one Has Passed Away

Having a loved one pass away can be overwhelming if you are the only one available for planning. From setting up the cremation service in Silver Spring, MD., to making the announcements, it might be confusing on what to do. You may be feeling obligated to announce to others and feel overwhelmed because you do not know how people will react. Some key factors can help the process.

It is best to have a plan before approaching people with news of a loss. One starting place is to ask them to sit down before informing them. The information may be overwhelming, and for those you have to make a phone call to, like far away family or friends, having them sit will lessen the impact if they are taken off guard by the loss and react strongly. Calling is highly recommended over texting due to the individual’s vulnerability. It keeps an open line of communication if they have questions and establishes a connection between you for future conversation.

Another option is to send an email online, but some may find that to be an insensitive method depending on the person. If there are many people to inform, you want to have a plan to know that everyone has been reached. Ensuring you are fully present with the individual is the priority, so shutting off your phone and avoiding any outside distractions will avert interruptions. Also, having a private space to let them know is appropriate if they are embarrassed by their reaction.

What is Appropriate to Say to the Individuals?

No one is ever really ready to lose someone they love, so making sure you have enough time with them while letting them know is essential. Leaving the conversation uncomplicated and straightforward can be helpful and using specific terms will allow them to process the information more accessible. Resist saying things like, “they are in a better place now,” because it can feel demeaning of their emotions and sound confusing, mainly speaking to children.

Avoiding making promises in the moment that you might think is helping them can lead to them losing trust in your words. Being open and honest about what has happened may not feel easy, but it is necessary not to hide anything to prevent things that may come up later on.

Getting the Support you Need

One of the biggest things you can do is offer enough time to be fully present as they take in the information and process feelings. They may need to be alone, kind words, or physical touch to help them as you inform them. And being mindful that you also might need support to process feelings after letting them know is imperative.

Arranging the appropriate cremation services or funeral home services in Silver Spring, MD., is complicated just by itself, but our compassionate staff is here to support you. We always recommend that being mindful of your feelings through the process to heal is a priority.

How do you Announce Someone’s Passing Away in Writing?

Planning a cremation services or funeral homes in Columbia, MD, can be a daunting task. Writing the death announcement can seem like a massive challenge if you have no experience navigating this traditional communication method. If you follow the appropriate guidelines, they will help you produce a triumphant announcement that expresses care and informs others of the loved ones passing away.

Death announcements have been a resource for letting others know someone has passed for generations. They are placed in a local or national newspaper depending on the individual and should contain the name, date of birth, and date of the loss. It should include information about the service and memorial unless otherwise specified, along with the viewing times and dates scheduled. You can also add information about the individual’s life, like a quote or reflection of the person. The communication should be between 2-5 sentences and should reflect specific details.

The name, where they passed away, and the date of passing.
Birthplace is optional.
Funeral service information.
Donation information.

In some cases, describing how the person passed away can be a challenging task, so using text like died, was taken, or departed this life are suitable. The format looks like:

individuals name
statement of the passing
date of passing
place of birth
funeral information

How do You Write a Public Announcement?

If your service is a local option, the funeral director can assist you with placement in a newspaper. If the service is not being held in a facility, you can contact the newspaper yourself and follow it up on the home’s local website.

In addition, having a photo is a viable choice because it allows individuals to recognize the person easier, so let the director know if you wish to include this. Double-check your work before submitting it because some media outlets will charge money to publish the announcement.

Another option is announcing social media as long as it causes no harm to different individuals. With our technological advances, social media goes much further than a newspaper, and you can easily link all the information to the platform’s page.

Cards are also a traditional source of information and are great for distant relatives, clients, or work cohorts that have had experiences or worked with the deceased. The basis for the traditional death announcement cards is for individuals who are not close-nit to the dead, so we do not recommend using them for close friends or family. The death of a loved one is always hard, but it’s even more difficult when you don’t know what happens next. Funeral visitation allows family and friends to pay their respects in person at the hospital or mortuary where they will take time off from work so that everyone can grieve together without worrying about how others feel around them while also giving support during this period which may be long lasting depending on circumstances.

Making the Process Easier

Snowden Funeral Home wants you to remember that the announcement can be uncomplicated and straightforward to let others know someone has passed. And in some cases, you may not be able to include all you need to say, but keeping in mind, this is just a simple communication will help. Planning the cremation services or funeral services in Columbia, MD., can be complicated, so we want you to know our caring team is here to support you with all your funeral needs.

What Does Holding Space for a Loved One Mean?

When the time has come, and a loved one has passed, part of the process is scheduling a cremation services in Columbia, MD., and learning how to be present with an individual’s experience as they go through the healing process. The phrase of holding space relates directly to being present with an individual who is suffering, but what does this mean, and what does it look like in the moment?

The process requires that you be present with their experience while allowing the situation to be without judgment or expectation from them. It requires that you are present wholeheartedly to them and that you set your grievances aside while they mourn. It is about allowing the person to be exactly as they are in the moment and not trying to alter it, even if it is uncomfortable to witness, part of allowing is letting them express themselves.

A few factors can help you get through the process and learn to help ease their emotional burdens. Because loss can be very uncomfortable for some, understanding that the process has no time limit for individuals. This means that the individual could be in this state of pain for years or even just days, but the most crucial part is to allow them to be there.

They need to feel their feelings precisely as they are, and you can provide them with that space to let them process whatever is arising and then give them room to let them go. In time as they heal, the feelings will begin to lessen and become more manageable as they are healing. And it is normal to want to fix the person or bring them back to where they were before the loss, but the key is not to change their experience or who they are. They need to go through this process to let the feelings go, so listening and holding compassion for their situation is all you need to do.

Additionally, asking what they need is a way to hold space. They may want someone to sit with them in silence or need help around their home with odd jobs to ease their burden. Talking about memories and the loved one can also help alleviate some of the pain of the loss.

Finding Resolution in the Uncertain

There is no easy process for loss, and it looks different for everyone. So, the best choice is to be available when they are ready to express themselves, which promotes healing. Their emotions can fluctuate as they grieve, so being prepared for this is helpful. They may also experience loneliness, so checking in on them is significant.

The compassionate team at Snowden Funeral home has over 100 years of experience supporting an individual planning a cremations services or funeral service in Columbia, MD., and wants you to know you are not alone. Let our caring team help you through the process of your loss and give you the time you need to support your loved ones.

Choosing the Right Funeral Home for Your Loved One

The process of losing a loved one is painful, even if you have experience or expecting the loss. So, if you are planning a cremation services or funeral home service in Colombia, MD, you want your choice to be one that fits your needs and budget. With chapels and homes having more options than they used to, this allows for more accommodation to meet your needs. The choices also offer more decisions, so you want a company to help you meet your questions with care and compassion that you can trust.

One question is, are you having a life celebration or is this a more formal event? In either case it consist of a reception and honoring of the loved one, so ensuring you pick a local home and easy to access for others attending is a priority. Hiring a company that is experienced in consoling others during a loss and works to help you with arrangements will allow you the time you need to work on the details of your ceremony.

Another consideration is how many people will be attending? This is an essential factor to consider because this will help decide the size of the facility you will need. Do you want a more casual option, or are you looking for a traditional and formal ceremony? It is recommended to go to the home you have chosen and see what the property offers to ensure it will meet your needs. Finding a facility that has a compassionate and caring staff will also help ease your burdens on the day of the event.

The last question is to take into consideration what kind of a service you want to have. There are multiple kinds, including cremations, funerals, and graveside services, offering different experiences. Do you need something more budget-friendly and fast that promotes creativity? Or do you want someone else to plan the event alongside you that is more traditional? Using personal items in the service is a great way to remember the loved one, so choose a company that supports your wishes.

Making Your Service a Memorable One

Considering two types of funeral homes are available, it will come down to choosing a more significant business or a smaller independent one. They both offer various options, with the smaller generally presenting a more personal touch with better prices. A larger company might have more choices and provide the service you are seeking. Whichever you choose, knowing these details will help make the process easier and allow you to create a celebration that outlines and honors your loved one’s life.

Snowden Funeral Home knows the difficulties with planning a cremation services or funeral home service in Columbia, MD. The loss is enough to put extra stress on an individual, not to mention the planning portion of the funeral. So having compassionate support that ensures your event is a memorable one is a priority. Let our caring team help you through this difficult time to plan an event that celebrates your loved ones’ lives.

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