Notes

Jack Layton: Reactions To His Death
funeral programs

funeral programs
funeral programs

Humans share two realities with each other and all other living things--birth and death. I know it's been the church's traditional teaching for eons that both dying and death are the consequences of the first couple's rebellion in the Garden of Eden. But there's an alternative perspective I've written about in one of my books. It is a perspective far more consistent with Judeo-Christian teachings and certainly more consistent with nature and biology.

I know things will never be the same, yet I have to live my life. The question is, how do I go about it? Pesach Krauss and Morrie Goldfisher write about getting on with life in their book, "Why Me? Coping With Grief, Loss and change." After the death of a loved one Krauss and Goldfisher think we need to shift our focus from a direct relationship with the deceased to identifying with his or her values.

But how to find out if someone died if you have nothing more than a name to go on? You might not even be sure that you've got the name right. You may have to painstakingly search through obituaries, cemetery records, funeral home records, genealogy databases, social security information and lots more. You might have to do this for many states if you don't know where they lived. You might even have to look for leads in many countries.

While there are general guidelines regarding funeral behavior, as a rule they are specific to the event itself, taking religious, ethnic and personal considerations into account. While almost all funerals require that guests are polite, discreet and respectful, there is often more you can do - both to help the families of the deceased feel better, and leave them with additional happy memories of their loved ones.

Consider only what you need. These would be where you want your funeral to be held, your home or a funeral parlor, the casket or coffin and your burial place. There are several funeral plans are offered that will cover the casket and funeral service like the venue and the funeral car. For burial sites you can contact the cemetery of your choice to inquire on the price of their available lots. There are several cemeteries that also offer larger lots and mausoleums for a family burial site. But consider your budget. Large mausoleums are expensive so consider them carefully.



Every industry has their leaders. In the funeral home market there are a handful of very successful private firms that serve 1,500 to 2,000 or more families every year and operate a highly respected and profitable business.

The Eulogy. A remembrance and acknowledgment of Mom and the significance of her life to all who shared it. The eulogy can be delivered by one or several family members and friends, or by a member of the clergy. We chose a local minister who shared some of our fondest memories of Mom. A close friend also sang one of Mom's favorite hymns, The Old Rugged Cross. The funeral home arranged for a closed circuit broadcast of the eulogy service, accessible on the internet, for relatives who could not attend the funeral.

The beauty of death is that it takes us to the next step. Death is a revival of the faulty put to rest. And death only marks the beginning of our next journey. To this, I say the end is near and death marks the end, for change.

Here's my website: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1W0ggy6pX4Hg1zcrLSu5pqdwLMCoZ_Ulp?usp=sharing