4 Last Minute Halloween Costumes!

Hey everyone! So today we have 4 more last minute Halloween Costumes! We put together these costumes with only items we already had in our closets. We hope you draw some inspiration and have a FUN & SAFE Halloween!

Interactive Aftercare

These interactive videos explore the dimensions of grief, as well as the dynamic cycle of experience. There's never been anything like this online before. These videos teach with both style and substance.

Launch Interactive Aftercare

How To Get A Copy Of A Death Certificate

Whether you need a death certificate to trace your family history or to make a legal claim, follow these steps to get the record you need.


Step 1: Identify the state where the person died
Identify the state in which the person died, and contact the vital records or vital statistics department for that state.

Tip
Find contact information for the state's vital records department through an internet search or at your local library.

Step 2: Gather identifying information
Find out the person's full name, sex, and date and place of death.

Step 3: Determine whether you need a certified copy
Determine whether you need a certified copy of the certificate. Most states allow access to uncertified records, but restrict who can get certified copies.

Tip
Get a certified copy if you need the death certificate for legal purposes or insurance claims.

Step 4: Learn about fees and state requirements
Contact the state vital records department to learn about any fees or additional requirements for getting a copy of the death certificate.

Step 5: Send the necessary information
Send the necessary information along with any fees to the state vital records department. Include your full name, address, phone number, and any other information they require.

Step 6: Receive a copy of the death certificate by mail
Receive a copy of the death certificate by mail. Delivery time will vary by state.

Did You Know?
In 2007, a Chicago man created a fake death certificate and faxed it to his cell phone provider to try to avoid paying a fee for ending his contract.

Caskets and Remembrance- Ways Families Are Saying Goodbye

More info at http://www.remembranceprocess.com

Caskets and Remembrance- Ways Families Are Saying Goodbye

Let's Talk About Dying - Peter Saul

We can't control if we'll die, but we can "occupy death," in the words of Dr. Peter Saul. He calls on us to make clear our preferences for end of life care -- and suggests two questions for starting the conversation. (Filmed at TEDxNewy.)

Anger & Grief | Anger Management

Learn how anger and grief are linked from anger management expert Dr. J. Ryan Fuller in this Howcast video.


Usually if anger is being spoken about around the construct of grief, it likely has to do with Elisabeth Kubler-Ross' model of grief. In the model, she describes five stages. The first is denial, second is anger, third is bargaining, fourth depression, and then the fifth and final is acceptance. In her model, she proposes that if people are struggling with grief, they're going to move through these various stages. First, sort of, denying and not really believing or fully accepting that it's happening, then becoming incredibly angry, possibly at the world, God, themselves, if some of their behavior was part of the reason for the disease or something like that. Then some kind of bargaining, where there's almost a negotiation as if they change their lifestyle, if God will make it not be the case. And then some depression where they might, in fact be very down, until moving towards acceptance.

Now there have been a number of scientific studies that haven't necessarily supported this model fully, although there's been some recent research that might contradict that it's unclear. What I can say is that having worked with clients that are going through loss or coping after the death of a loved one, I still find paying attention to these five stages, not necessarily that everyone will move through all of them, and not necessarily that they'll move through in any particular order, but paying attention and helping clients being able to sort of accept and acknowledge where they are regardless. If they're struggling with anger or the depression or any of those things, it can be a helpful for clinicians guide clients through this difficult process of grief.

How To Prepare For Your Funeral

Being one step ahead can help you make the right decisions regarding your own funeral arrangements. You make a price comparison of the packages offered by different funeral providers, and decide on certain details you like them to follow. By making pre-arrangements with a funeral company, you can free your loved ones from the stress involved in making these tough decisions during a time of grief.

When it comes to planning a pre-need such as this, it is important to consider where your remains will be buried or scattered. The sudden death of a loved one leaves most of its family members in confusion. They often buy a cemetery plot without giving it much thought or visiting the site. So, it is important to purchase cemetery plots in advance before they are actually needed.

It is best to put everything you prefer in black and white, then give copies to your lawyer and family, while keeping your own copy in a convenient place. Don't include these preferences in your will, since these will only be read after the funeral. Also, do not keep your copy in a safety deposit box because it may take time to open, if it is needed on a holiday or weekend.

Prepayment

Millions of Americans have signed contracts with regards to their funeral arrangements, as well as partial or total prepayment of the expenses involved. The prepayment of funeral products and services are governed by the laws of the particular states. Several states have laws to guarantee that prepayments will be able to cover the expenses for funeral products and services whenever needed. However, protections can vary from one state to another, and the laws of some states provide little or no protection whatsoever. Other states require funeral homes or cemeteries to place part of the prepayment in a state-regulated trust, or to buy a life insurance policy where the death benefits are allotted to the funeral home/cemetery.

If you are considering the prepayment of funeral products and services, it is crucial to think about the following issues before releasing any money:

• What does your payment cover? Are you buying products, such as a casket and vault, or do they also include funeral services?
• Where does your prepaid money go? States have various requirements when it comes to handling the money paid for prearranged funeral services.
• What will happen to the incurred income coming from the prepayment placed in a trust account?
• Do you have any protection in case the firm you chose closes its business?
• If ever you change your mind, can the contract be cancelled? Will you receive a full refund?
• What happens when you die away from home or move to another location? There are prepaid funeral plans that can be transferred at an additional cost.

It is important for your family to know about your plans, especially where the legal documents have been filed. Otherwise, your preferences may not be followed. If your family does not know that you prepaid your own funeral costs, chances are they could pay again for similar arrangements. To make sure that your wishes are granted, it would be best to consult a lawyer who specializes in such arrangements.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9165994

Advice On Remembrance From A Minister

Advice on Remembrance from a Minister

Designing Your Funeral

There are two facets of the design process. First, we ask you to consider how you wish to honor and celebrate the life. When those important decisions are made, we’ll turn to the issue of how you wish to care for the physical remains.

How to Honor a Life

It’s about bringing those you love together, at a time of loss. It’s a natural thing to do, and over time, has become a socially-expected practice. More importantly, a funeral or memorial service, whether traditional, or contemporary, is the first step in healing.

You can have your service anywhere, and any way, you want. Your choices include the place of celebration, day of the week, and time of day; the musical selection, what prayers will be said or songs you’d like sung. We can arrange to have doves, butterflies, or balloons released at the close of the service. Keepsake gifts of wildflower seeds or a tree seedling can be given. We’re here to help you create the most memorable and meaningful service to honor your loved one.

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Burial or Cremation?

Your next consideration focuses on choosing between burial and cremation. Usually, people are clear on this point. In fact, your loved one may have told you, or someone else, exactly how they wish to be cared for. But it can be a hard decision for some families, especially when the wishes of the deceased were never clearly stated. If that's the case, please know we're able to help you come to the perfect decision for your loved one, and for you.

Once you decide, the finer details come into focus. If you've chosen burial, then selection of the casket, vault, and desired cemetery follows. Naturally, we’re here to help you.

If cremation is your choice, then you'll need to make the next decision: whether the cremated remains will be placed in a mausoleum niche, or buried on the cemetery grounds.

In some communities, there's the option for a 'green burial.' If that's what your loved one would prefer, we'll help you select an environmentally-friendly choice.

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What's Next?

Now that we've given you the basics, it's time to reflect more on exactly what is appropriate for you and your family. If possible, gather everyone together to speak of their feelings and desires.

Still looking for inspiration? Speaking with a professional funeral planner will help to clarify your thinking. Reach us at (707) 425-4697.