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Unspoken Funeral Etiquette for Guests and Visitors

When it comes to conversations of life, the last taboo is considered death. People wouldn’t want to entertain the thought of death as it is associated with negative emotions such as grief, loss, and the untimely acceptance of people never coming back in life.

However, if there’s one thing in life that is certain as taxes, it’s death. Because death is a certain aspect of life, it’s only a matter of time until a funeral happens. When this happens, what do people do to ease the pain of suffering of the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased?

Here are common etiquettes funeral experts have compiled that people should follow:

Share a Fond Memory Instead of Focusing on the Lonely

People coming into the deceased’s house usually offer condolences in the form of saying, “my condolences to you and the entire family,” or “my thoughts/prayer with you.” However, if the conversation pushes through, it is best to reminisce the great memories shared with the departed to his family. In this manner, you leave them a piece of something they can be happy with instead of emphasizing the less.

A Comforting Gesture Goes a Long Way

It’s insensitive to say, “The pain will go away in no time,” or “he’s in a better place.” The golden rule to bear in mind is, what you don’t want to hear on your loved one’s funeral, you don’t say. Instead of saying these insensitive phrases, you can give them a hug, a comforting smile or a pause.

Don’t Question Medical Causes

It’s insensitive to question medical causes for the death of a person. In the first place, you visit a funeral to give your condolences and not to ask questions. At the same time, there’s no use mentioning or suggesting what could have been done to change the situation.

Be Subtle and Simple

A funeral is never a time for making fashion statements. The more traditional colors for mourning is grey, black, blue and dark violet. For some traditions, white is a considerable color. You can also opt for more outdoor-friendly ensembles as more funerals and more funerals are less conservative.

Offer Tangible Help to the Bereaved Family

If you are concerned with the overall wellness of the family, you can offer help to them as a means of comforting them. But, instead of saying empty promises just to please them, you can say, “I made everyone a meal,” or “I can fetch family members from the airport.”

These are just some of the most common funeral etiquette people forget to do. By following our compilations above, you can send your sincerest condolences to the bereaved family.

Photos: Pexels.com

March 21, 2021
How to Make a Memorial Video for Your Loved One
One way of immortalizing a loved one’s memories and life is through a sweet and well-crafted video tribute. After all, if the presentation is a means of saying goodbye, why not make the best of what’s left?

Most people would agree that seeing the deceased person’s life in a flash of compiled videos and photos become an integral part of the healing process. At the same time, people gets to understand who the deceased is on everyone’s lives.

Despite the difference on the role the departed plays, a memorial video only solidifies everyone’s love that is bound to last a lifetime. If you are tasked of making a memorial video, here’s our tips to make the best one you can provide.

Understand the Use of the Video

Before drafting and squeezing your creative juices, it is best to know how your tribute video is going to be used. There are three uses for a tribute video. Here are the three classifications and what to remember before making one.
1. Tribute During Memorial Service
If the tribute video is going to be shared as part of the memorial service, it is best to include photos, songs and videos. You can use around 80 to 100 photos highlighting the best pictures of the departed. Lastly, limit the final video to around six to eight minutes only.
1. Tribute During Reception
After the memorial service, family and friends will gather to comfort each other before parting ways. For this one, it’s best to present only photos in a slideshow mode and played in a loop. You can use 100 to 150 photos and make it last up to 10 to 15 minutes.
1. Tribute for Private Family Viewing
For this one, it is best to compile every photo (if not, a specific number of photos shared by each family) and videos while playing a mellow music in the background. This video can last up to 15 to 20 minutes.

Choosing Photos and Videos

Because it can be tough to narrow down choices which photos commemorate the life of the departed, these are the following guidelines you can refer for selection.
- Photos that show interests, hobbies, passions, and personality
- Relationships with each family
- Fun times and vacations
Selecting a Tool for Video Creation

There are a lot of tools you can utilize for video creation nowadays. The best thing you can do for this daunting task is to try out the most recommended ones and see which one suits your creativity and technical prowess.

Now that you’ve understood the basics, the next step to take is to create the video and let your emotions guide you.

Photos: Pexels.com
January 11, 2021
Establishing Your Funeral Homes in Social Media

Businesses that need a boost for their marketing scheme rely on social media to do the trick. However, for funeral homes, this may feel like walking on a pile of eggshells. As a funeral home, you provide unconventional services to your clientele. This is one of the reasons why you’ll find social media a platform that is hard to navigate.

In this article, we’ll be discussing how you can use social media platforms to market your services and building a brand that will last.

Smash Stereotypes

When people think about funeral homes, they associate it with the dead, the gloomy and the dark side of life. However, you can turn this stereotype around and conquer it with posts that focus on the context.

Instead of focusing on obituaries, how about you remind audience that there is more to life through real-time updates such as involvement in the community, contests, and even a weekly video series.

You can even share some funny quotes for a different feel. The trick here lies in making your feed as lively as it could be.

Display Authenticity

There is no doubt that people only walk on funeral homes when they experience a loss. Because of this experience, people have a not-so-great impression of funeral homes. However, you can turn this around by showing the humane aspect of the organization.

You can do this by sharing pictures of your facility, tidbits of the past, new projects or services that you offer, even fascinating trivia of your establishment. Aside from these social media ideas, you can even introduce employees and feature them as people who help individuals weather the storm.

Last but not least, you can display efforts or participation from your organization in causes like homelessness, hunger, natural disasters and even community activities. A display of recognitions and awards can also go a long way for building social media presence.

Branding for People’s Connection

Funeral homes take care of people’s needs. Simply put, the community needs a funeral home during a dark moment in their lives. However, such feeling is undesired and unwanted. To eradicate such negative connotations, use your social media platform to build your relationship with you.

Your brand should display transparency from your services to your commitment of care. Next, your social media platforms should be a space for listening and engagement. Be aware of feedbacks and display concrete solutions to answer the problem.

Whenever you can, don’t forget to promote your services to the audience. However, be careful with this one. Posts should never air a voice of demand but a voice of confidence. When you build yourself up to the local community, they’ll recognize your expertise on the field.

Although the world of social media is a place of chaotic proportions, when used properly, you can benefit from its features. Just remember all of the tips indicated here and you’ll build a social media presence that is remarkable in no time.

Photos: Pexels.com

December 14, 2020
Commemorating a Life: Elements of a Funeral

When it comes to celebrations of life, a funeral is something that people don’t wish for. Of course, this is because of a devastating loss and a funeral has become a tradition of goodbyes and remembrance. However, death is inevitable. It can be sudden or expected, but it is always tragic.

Since death is inevitable, one can only hope to be prepared for when that faithful moment comes. As such, planning a funeral needs careful consideration for a thoughtful commemoration of life. When it comes to funeral planning, a family can keep all the elements of a funeral intact or add more.

But, if you’re having a hard time deciding which to include, this article will help you identify elements for a funeral for a commemoration of life.

Music and Sounds

Throughout time, music has played a significant part in the release and expression of emotions. If you want to conduct your funeral or memorial service, music can play a part for everyone’s expression of loss, grief and sadness. For your selection of music and sounds, you can stick to religious songs, traditional hymns, instrumentals or spiritual sounds. Moreover, identifying the tone of the service can also help narrow down your song selections. If it’s a happy commemoration of the deceased’s life, upbeat songs can uplift everyone’s mood.

Visitation and Wakes

As part of the Filipino traditions, visitations and wakes are done as an opportunity for family members, friends and loved ones to gather and say goodbyes to the deceased. Most of the time, visitations or wakes are done in a funeral chapel, home or other appropriate places. If you have a funeral package, the funeral parlor can accommodate visitation venues for a more convenient set-up.

Prayers and Readings

In addition to the mentioned elements, it has been a proud Filipino tradition to offer prayers and bible readings to the deceased. Moreover, a rosary is being sung at around 6 PM as a way of commemorating or wishing the deceased family’s life of guidance and spiritual wellness despite the loss.

Eulogies and Memories

A speech from a friend, family member or a loved one in honor of the deceased’s life is a common element for funerals. Most of the time, eulogies remind the living of how the deceased lived life and how it was celebrated through his existence.

Memories, on the other hand, is usually a photo viewing or a slideshow reminding people how the deceased used to live life and how he will be remembered. Memories can be shared to other people to reinforce their moments when the person is still living.

Funeral planning and funerals take time, effort and money to have. Having a funeral plan saves the family from the unnecessary hassles such as preparations while commemorating a person’s life.

Photos: Pexels.com

October 26, 2020
Getting Eight Hours of Solid and Uninterrupted Sleep: Challenges Brought During Quarantine

The coronavirus pandemic has shaken the world by changing the social construct of our work, school and lifestyle. For quite some time, we’ve been forced inside the four walls of the house for safety measures, and this has taken a toll on one’s mental and physical health. Some of us are guilty of binge-eating while watching twelve hours of TV re-runs. Others turn into social media for some form of entertainment and anxiety-riddled scenarios.

Whatever the situations may be, the quarantine period brought these changes to our lives. Increased screen time, inactivity, frequent alcohol drinking, and abnormal meal time severely disrupted one’s sleep schedule. If you’re struggling to get some quality snooze, here’s what you can do.

Exercise and Move Your Body

The more you exercise, the more you’re body asks for sleep. Although gyms are closed, you can take advantage of the exercise resources posted on the internet to guide your movements. In fact, you can start dancing, yoga, in-house boxing, and more. One should know that the more sedentary a person gets, the more fragmented your sleep quality is. So, moving your body till you break a sweat is an excellent strategy to sleep well.

Minimize Alcohol Intake

We know how this quarantine period can urge somebody to binge-drink while watching the TV and other nonsensical activities. However, as cliché as this may seem, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Alcohol intake disrupts circadian rhythm. How does it affect your sleep? Alcohol makes you feel asleep rapidly, yet it wakes your body up instantly without getting enough sleep.

Regulate Meal Times

It can be quite tempting to order a full meal when you’re indulging yourself to a full-season of your favorite show. However, if you still call on a large pizza in the middle of the night, you’re risking your sleep quality and schedule. During those times that you’ve established a sleeping time, your body is accustomed to release melatonin two hours before you lay down. But, if you eat way too late, this throws you off your sleep routine.

Get Some Vitamin D

When it comes to establishing a healthy circadian rhythm, light is an essential matter. To cue your circadian rhythm, it needs the sunlight to trigger the cycle. When you’re someone who doesn’t greet the sun regularly, you’ll disrupt your circadian rhythm. If you want to get a good quality of sleep, envelop yourself to the warmth of the sun for a good 15-30 minutes and increase the amount of sunlight entering your home. You can do this by opening up the blinds, curtains and windows.

This quarantine period, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Manage your stress levels by exercising, eating nutritious foods and getting enough sleep. Although it is easier to fall into the trap of letting go and being glued to the sedentary life, breakaway and think of the long-term consequences. Don’t forget to keep in touch with family and friends as they can be your partners in health.

Photos: Pexels.com

August 24, 2020
Social Distancing: Why It Matters Now
As part of the mitigation measures against the spread of Covid-19, the six-feet rule or social distancing is strictly implemented. Science explains how mucus, saliva, and sneeze can travel up to six feet and possibly transmit the virus. Because of this fact, mass gatherings, events, and activities are either postponed or altogether canceled.

Although not being able to keep in touch with friends, family members and beloved ones is a bummer, being infected with a virus with no vaccine yet is a significant risk to take. If you’re wondering why social distancing plays a critical role in flattening the curve of Covid-19 transmissions, read more below.

What is Social Distancing?

Social distancing is the act of limiting physical interactions by isolating yourself at home, avoiding crowds and public places, and keeping at least 6-feet distance away from another person.

Why is Social Distancing Important Now?

Covid-19 is a highly-contagious disease. Transmission can happen because viral particles can stay on a surface for a minimum of three days. Imagine what will happen when an asymptomatic carrier shakes your hands, and you wiped your face with an infected hand?

Through the practice of social distancing, you minimize close physical interactions. Therefore, reducing the risks of contracting the disease. Social distancing is also crucial for the safety of every member of your household.

High-risk members are the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions like cardiovascular or lung disease. By wholeheartedly obeying in the social distancing measures, you keep your family safe and do your part in flattening the curve.

How Can I Practice Social Distancing?

Since the government has issued several regulations that limit people’s movement outside of their homes, it is safe to say that you’re practicing social distancing whenever you stay at home.

Self-isolating is an excellent way of practicing social distancing. For the time being, you must do something productive like learning a new interest, reading an old book, or continuing online classes or work.

If needs arise like going on a supply run, medical emergencies or urgent tasks arises that require you to step out of your home, here are things you need to remember.
- Always wear your face mask/face shield, gloves, or protective clothing if you have one.
- When going out, avoid touching or physically greeting people, you know. Give them a slight nod or a wave but never engage with them. Keep in mind that the longer you are outside, the higher the risk of viral transmission.
- Walking or driving to your destination is much preferred than taking public transportation. This measure minimizes physical interaction with people around you.
As the world continues to battle an invisible foe, discipline and initiative are crucial for flattening the curve. Cooperate with the authorities for everyone’s welfare and health. Also, don’t forget to boost your immune system, do frequent handwashing, and treat others with empathy.

Photos: Pexels.com
May 25, 2020