Monthly Archives: July 2019

cremation service in Walnut Creek, CA

5 Documents To Prepare Before Your Cremation Service

Rather than avoid the fact that you will die eventually, why not instead be as prepared for your eventual death and subsequent cremation service in Walnut Creek, CA? One way to prepare for your passing is by gathering these 5 important documents:

1. Healthcare Power of Attorney – A healthcare power of attorney (POA) document appoints someone to make your medical decisions for you if you ever become unable. This document is good to have in the event of any medical problems from terminal illnesses and loss of brain function to temporary unconsciousness. Choose someone you trust to be your healthcare POA. Some states require a POA to be notarized with additional witnesses, but all states require the document to be signed by all involved parties.

2. HIPAA Release – The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) stipulate that all medical records are confidential between the patient and the healthcare provider. If you want a family member to have access to your records in case you pass away or become incapacitated, you need to fill out and sign a HIPPAA Release form.

3. ICE Book of Important Documents – While an in case of emergency (ICE) book isn’t a formal document, it’s a major help for families to gain access to important documents when a loved one passes away or is incapacitated. Make one and keep it in a secure yet obvious place in the event of your death. Include documents in your ICE book like:

    • Tax returns going back 5 years
    • Bank accounts
    • Medical and dental records
    • Insurance information
    • Birth certificate
    • Social security card
    • Important passwords

4. Will – Your will is a document that states who will receive your assets and belongings after you pass. Wills must meet some important criteria to be valid, so it’s always a good idea to consult an attorney. Make sure your will:

  • Clearly identifies itself as your personal will and clearly lists your name, date of birth, and social security number.
  • Names an executor to make sure your exact wishes are carried out, from cremation to dividing the assets.
  • Clearly lists and identifies the heirs
  • Names all your assets, from bank accounts to estates and everything in between, and designates which heir will get what percentage of each asset.
  • Is signed by you and two or three witnesses

You can also draw up a living will in the event you become incapacitated in some way. Different than a POA or a will, a living will lets you lay out your end of life wishes in the event you become terminally ill.

If you want more information on these documents, or other ways you can prepare for a Walnut Creek, CA cremation service, you can contact Deer Creek Funeral Service. Please visit us at 20630 Redwood Rd Castro Valley, CA 94546, or give us a call at (510) 317-7890.

funeral home in Walnut Creek, CA

How To Help A Grieving Friend

Loss is never easy, whether you’re at a funeral home in Walnut Creek, CA, or long after the service is over. If you see a friend or loved one suffering through a loss, it can also be hard to know how to help. Get some inspiration with these 12 tips:

  1. Don’t Avoid Grief: It may feel easier to avoid a grieving friend, but it’s the worst thing you can do. A hug, kind word, or a supportive presence can go a long way. If you cant think of what to day, a simple “I’m sorry” is all you need
  2. Share Stories: It can be helpful to hear similar bereavement stories; so don’t be afraid to share. It makes people feel better to know that others have gotten through the grief.
  3. Don’t Talk About A Dead Pet: In that vein, never compare their loss to your loss of a pet. It’s not comparable, and can be very insulting.
  4. Let Them Cry: Crying is an important part of expressing grief, so never say “don’t cry.” Its ok to just be there when someone is crying, offering a hug or tissues, or even just a calming presence.
  5. Support Past the Funeral: Grief doesn’t stop after the bereaved leave the funeral home, so your support shouldn’t either. Keep checking in in the following weeks. A phone call or a text of support is great. Don’t be offended if they don’t want to talk, as grief can make concentrating or talking difficult.
  6. Help With Everyday Tasks: Grief is physically and mentally debilitating, so it can be hard to accomplish seemingly easy tasks like cooking or cleaning. Help out by offering to cross things off the to-do list like grocery shopping, cooking a meal, or mowing the lawn.
  7. Provide Funeral Help: It can be hard to plan and host a funeral, and help is always welcome. Even a small thing like bringing flowers or offering to go with them to sign the death certificate is meaningful.
  8. Let Them Bring Up Religion First: Don’t make it about religion until the bereaved do. Everyone has different beliefs, and you don’t want to accidentally offend.
  9. Laughing is Good: Don’t be afraid of making them laugh. Offer up silly stories of your day, or even happy memories of the deceased.
  10. Mention the Deceased: Don’t be afraid to talk about the deceased. You might make them cry, but that’s ok! It feels good to know that the deceased isn’t gone from everyone’s thoughts and memories.
  11. Note Big Dates: Note important dates like birthdays or anniversaries and be sure to reach out around those times for extra support down the line.
  12. Remind Them Grief Isn’t Short: Be sure to express that you understand the grieving process is lengthy, and that you will be there throughout. Bereaved can feel lonely or even abandoned after leaving the funeral home, so make sure they know you’re still there.

You can contact Deer Creek Funeral Service by visiting 20630 Redwood Rd Castro Valley, CA 94546, or calling (510) 317-7890 to learn more tips, or get more information on Walnut Creek, CA funeral homes.

cremation services in Dublin, CA

Memorial Jewelry For After Cremation Services

You cared deeply for your lost loved one, and obviously want to memorialize him or her in a respectful but special way that is just as unique as he or she was. If you choose cremation services in Dublin, CA for the deceased, then memorial jewelry might be what you’ve been looking for.

What is memorial jewelry? Memorial jewelry can come in many forms, from necklaces and rings to lockets, pendants and bracelets, but every form is a special reminder of the deceased.

Most memorial jewelry is made through a similar process. Once a body is cremated, the family sends the remains to a jeweler. The remains, consisting of minerals like calcium phosphates, are combined with molten glass gold, silver, platinum or other materials using special encasement methods to mold the remains and the metals together. The goal is this molding is to display and protect the cremated remains.

Since every person’s chemical makeup is slightly different, every piece of memorial jewelry will have a slightly different chemical reaction, resulting in different colors, shapes, and patterns. In other words, every piece of memorial jewelry will be just as unique as the person it’s made from. Families can also choose to include items like hair or dried flowers in the jewelry piece for even more uniqueness.

If you’re considering memorial jewelry for your lost loved one, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

  • Material – Though you can have memorial jewelry in almost any material, you should think about how and how often you’re going to wear it, as some materials are more durable than others. For example, if you’re making a ring that you’re only going to wear on special occasions, resin is fine. However, if you want to wear the ring on a daily basis, you need a stronger material like silver.
  • The Deceased – Also keep in mind how the deceased would want to be memorialized. Think about his or her styles, preferences, and even interests for inspiration. How do you think you could best memorialize your lost loved one?
  • Style – You should choose memorial jewelry in a style that you will actually wear. If you don’t like big pendants, maybe choose a small bracelet or locket. Be sure that you choose a style that fits your comfort level, or consider a piece that is simple and timeless for the coming generations.
  • Size – Another practical consideration is the size of the memorial jewelry. Choose a piece that you will actually be comfortable wearing on a daily basis. If you are spreading ashes, you may want to choose a larger piece so that you can keep a larger portion of the ashes with you at all times.

Memorial jewelry is just one of the many options you have to memorialize a lost loved one after a cremation. If memorial jewelry isn’t for you, you can always choose a more traditional method like a displaying the remains in a cremation urn, scattering them, burying them, or putting up a headstone.

Do you have more questions about memorial jewelry, or customized cremation service in general? Deer Creek Funeral Service can help. Located at 20630 Redwood Rd Castro Valley, CA 94546, we have years of industry experience to put at your disposal. Please give us a call at (510) 317-7890 for more information.

funeral homes in Dublin, CA

Funeral Homes For Pets

Losing a pet is never easy. However, just like how funerals can make the loss of a loved one a bit easier, funeral and cremation services for pets can help ease the pain. Luckily, there are many funeral homes in Dublin, CA that offer various types of funeral and cremation services for pets.

Read also: Getting Through Planning a Child’s Cremation Service

Planning pet funerals and cremations starts with deciding how you want to send your friend to his final resting place. Pet cremation is one great way to memorialize your pet. You can scatter the ashes somewhere special after the cremation, or keep them in a pet cremation urn. Pet burials are another common and more traditional option. You can bury your pet in the comfort of your own yard, or in a special cemetery dedicated to pet burial.

You can also plan a pet funeral or memorial service to go along with the body disposition. You can hold the service at your home, where you plan to scatter the ashes, in a funeral home, or in the pet cemetery. Be sure to choose a location that allows you to express your grief in a healthy way, and sets you up to properly begin the healing process. Also, be sure to get any necessary permissions or permits before you host a ceremony in a public space, especially if you plan to bury the pet or scatter the ashes.

Just like a traditional service for a deceased person, a pet funeral or memorial is an honorable way to memorialize your pet’s life and say goodbye in a constructive way. There are many different ways you can celebrate your pet in a memorial. For example, you can invite friends and family members who were a part of your pet’s life, or understand how important he was to you. Gather around the grave or ashes and share pet memories or stories. You may also choose to play music, read poems or share feelings.

You can ask attendants to help eulogize, say prayers, or just talk about how your lost pet made them feel. Bring along special stationary, cards or paper on which people can write down their feelings or thoughts. This way you can hold onto these ideas and memories to go through later on when you miss your pet.

Also just like traditional funeral services, most pet funeral and memorial services can benefit from some sort of visual representation of the deceased. You can craft a small tribute or viewing in the memory of your pet by decorating a table with memories of your lost pet like tags, collars, favorite toys or photos. If you chose to cremate the body, you may also choose to display the urn for the viewing.

Losing a pet is painful, but a funeral or memorial service and help ease the pain. If you want to learn more about pet funeral or cremation services, or have questions about Dublin, CA funeral homes in general, Deer Creek Funeral Service can help. You can visit us at 20630 Redwood Rd Castro Valley, CA 94546, or give us a call at (510) 317-7890 for more information.