Monthly Archives: March 2023

What About Natural Burials?

Natural burials after funeral home services in Oakland, CA are becoming common as people want to do their part for the planet. But what is a natural burial? What do they have to do with funeral homes?

Natural burials are burials that do not use chemicals to preserve the body, reduce the use of unnecessary products, and lay the body to rest in a way that does not damage or negatively impact the environment. The term “natural burial” also refers to the actual process of burying a body, including opening and closing the plot and how the plot is memorialized. Generally speaking, a natural burial means the body is not embalmed and is buried in a simple, biodegradable casket or shroud in a hold dug by hand and finished with a natural marker or no marker at all.

Can you choose a natural burial after cremation services? The point of natural burial is to avoid putting unnatural materials or substances into the earth. In that context, scattering or trenching cremated remains can be considered a natural burial.

What about costs and laws? Since natural burials do not include accessories like embalming, heavy caskets, and headstones, they tend to be more affordable than traditional burial. The natural burial feel generally includes the burial plot, interment fees, and a shroud or environmentally safe casket. Natural burials are legal in all 50 states. Some states, however, have restrictions. For example, in Indiana, you must perform a natural burial in an established ceremony or apply for a home burial permit. Contact your local burial providers to learn more about options in your area. If you’re considering a natural burial at home, be sure to check that local zoning laws allow for home burials.

Natural burials have a few key differences from traditional burials. Unlike natural burial, traditional burial allows for embalming, caskets made from metal or wood, headstones, burial vaults, and grave liners. They also have differences from green burials. Though natural burial and green burial are similar, they are not the same thing. A green burial refers to both the burial process and where the body is laid to rest, meaning it must take place at a green cemetery that does not use pesticides or bury embalmed bodies. A natural burial, on the other hand, can happen at a traditional cemetery. People can choose a natural burial for themselves or their loved ones because its environmentally friendly, often less expensive than traditional internment, and they find comfort in returning the body to nature.

Its also important to note that stone is not used in natural burials. Though stone is a natural material, the processes used to mine, create, and transport vaults, liners, headstones, and other stone burial accessories are not natural. Therefore, stone, marble, concrete, and other similar materials are not used in natural burials.

We are here to help if you have more questions about natural burials or Oakland, CA funeral homes. We are happy to do whatever we can during your time of loss or preplanning. Call or visit us today to learn more.

How Does Grief Progress Over Time?

How long will you be grieving after a cremation service in Oakland, CA? Unfortunately, there is no set time frame for when you will feel better, move through a stage, or come to accept the loss of your loved one as each person, each relationship, and even each death is different. However, knowing what others have gone through and understanding that their experiences are similar to your own can help you feel normal, which is soothing.

Being aware of grief models can help you understand the emotions you may be feeling. To provide comfort, here is a general grief timeline. For some, grief begins before the death. Anticipatory grief is a feeling of loss you may experience before your loved one dies. For example, you might begin to think about their loss and feel the pain of that loss when you find out a loved one has a terminal illness. After the death, many people experience shock immediately that lasts for hours or even days.

Everyone experiences shock differently. Some people may cry or laugh while others might feel completely numb. Every reaction is normal. A funeral or memorial service is often when you say goodbye in a formal, final manner. This can be a very important part of the healing process, and reactions can vary from one extreme to the other. You might cry throughout the service or sit stoically.

Some people say that grief is often harder after the service. This makes sense. Once the service is over, friends go home and return to their lives, leaving you alone with your feelings and your new reality. This is the time to self-reflect and allow yourself to feel your emotions. You can work on your to-do list, but be gentle with yourself. What about months or years down the line? Your grief will lessen over time. The exact amount of time depends on the person, as no two people will grieve the same. But you will start to feel better. Months after the loss, many people begin to question the death as they’ve processed it more. This is common. You will never be “finished” grieving the loss of a loved one. Even years down the line, there will still be moments when the pang of loss hits you like it did in the early days. However, these moments will become few and far between as the years pass.

Your grief might be like a shadow, always there but not fully visible or tangible. Despite the popular saying, time doesn’t “heal” the wound. But it does soften the blow. As the years go by, the sharpness of your grief will ease, and you’ll be able to think back to happy memories with a bittersweet smile.

Being familiar with a common grief timeline can help comfort you in your time of loss. We are happy to do whatever we can for you in your time of loss if you want to learn more about grief after Oakland, CA cremation services. Call or visit us today.

The Physical Manifestation of Grief

Grief is to be expected, but oftentimes people do not expect the physical effects of grief after the death of a loved one and their service at a funeral home in Oakland, CA. What happens in your body when you’re grieving? How does grief manifest physically? Here is information about the most common physical manifestations of grief.

Healing after your loss might happen in its own time, but it will happen. You will get through the grief no matter how it manifests in your body and mind.

Grief can lead to a wide range of physical health problems, such as indigestion and gastrointestinal issues, cardiovascular problems and chest pain, sleeplessness, headaches, inflammation and joint pain, and more. Your body is under a lot of stress when you’re grieving, which is why people often suffer from these symptoms.

For example, grief can be held in the body, or impact the brain. Some people believe grief is held in certain places in the body, such as the lungs and large intestines. Others feel grief is held in the heart, hence the phrase “heartache.” Grief can affect the brain, often causing a condition colloquially referred to as “grief brain.” This condition impacts memory, comprehension, and concentration. Grief has such a big impact on the brain because your brain becomes overloaded with stress and sadness after a loss, which then triggers stress responses that manifest as mental symptoms after a prolonged period of time. “Grief brain” will affect you physically, emotionally, and mentally. It may last a few days, weeks, or even months. But eventually, it will fade.

Grief can impact decision making. Because of the extended stress your body is exposed to after a loss, grief can impact your decision-making skills, making you less efficient or even more likely to make choices you wouldn’t otherwise. That is why experts advise the bereaved avoid big choices or life-altering decisions during grief, like changing jobs, moving far away, or something similar. Wait at least six months after a loss to make big decisions. Grief can also make you tired. From sleepless nights, nightmares, and fatigue to a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep, grief has a big impact on sleep. To curb some of these symptoms, avoid napping during the day, limit your screen time before bed, cut back on caffeine, and create a bedtime ritual to help your body wind down. You can also talk to your doctor about sleep aids. Grief-stricken people are exhausted people. You may have never felt this tired before and might even consider that you are coming down with the flu. This is normal. Be sure to take care of yourself and put your needs first. You can’t recover without self-care.

Do you want more information about getting through grief and an Oakland, CA funeral home service? We are honored to help you however we can in your time of loss or preplanning. Give us a call or pay us a visit today.

The Different Timelines of Different Losses

How long does grief last after the loss of specific relationships, such as the death of a spouse, child, or parent and their cremation service in Oakland, CA?

Grief varies greatly depending on the type of loss you suffer. Think about it, the grief you may feel after losing a spouse can be very different from the grief you feel after losing a coworker. Or, for example, grief after a miscarriage is different than grief after the loss of a parent.

Everyone’s grief timeline is different, but hopefully this information can help you feel normal and accepted as you process your loss. Many people suffer from feelings of grief after a miscarriage, even though many people don’t talk about it. If you’ve suffered a miscarriage, you’re not alone. Your body and heart will heal over time, so be patient with yourself and don’t be ashamed of your feelings of loss.

What about the loss of a spouse? While grief varies from person to person, some experts say that mourning the loss of a spouse can last three years or longer. No matter where in you are in your grief journey after losing your spouse, be compassionate and patient with yourself. Anyone who’s lost a child will most likely say that the pain will never fully go away. Losing a child is considered the single worst stressor a person can experience, which is why experts agree that grief after the death of a child is often the longest and most severe grief.

Losing a parent will have an impact on you and your life, no matter how old you are. Parents always have a formative effect on their children, and the loss will be acutely felt. Some people say their grief after the loss of a parent lasted between six months and a year, but there is no right or wrong timeline. We can’t forget about pets. A pet can be a very important part of your family. The feelings of loss and grief you may experience after the death of a pet are valid and nothing to be ashamed of. Grieving a pet takes time, often several months, but it is your right to feel your grief and to work through it.

The best way to work through grief after any kind of loss is to accept your new normal. One way to help ease the transition is by starting new routines that put you and your health first. Life is always changing, but growth can be healthy. You can try starting a new exercise routine, whether that means joining a gym or going on regular walks. This extra exercise will not only keep you physically heathy, but will also help you reduce stress and ward off depression. You can also try regular self-care such as massages, manicures, or doing activities that make you happy. Don’t be afraid to try new things, too. Test out different hobbies or take a class to learn a new skill. You might even make new friends or form new relationships that can help fill the hole in your heart.

Do need more information on grief or Oakland, CA cremation services? We are here to help however we can.

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