End of Life and Funeral Planning

Alternative to burial and cremation would liquefy remains

Alkaline hydrolysis is a procedure that uses pressure and lye to break remains down into liquid and bone powder.  The liquid portion is often sent down a drain. Proponents argue that the process is an environmentally friendly alternative to burial and cremation. Opponents view it as an undignified end for human remains. The process is legal only in New Hampshire and Minnesota. Two medical centers use the process to dispose of cadavers that have been used for research. The process is more commonly used for animal carcass disposal.

Read the AP story on alkaline hydrolysis

Going green

The Live Earth concerts were broadcast yesterday, calling attention to the issue of climate change. Reducing one's impact on the environment need not end with life. New funeral and cremation options allow consumers to make choices that are eco-friendly. Green cemeteries do away with caskets, vaults, and grave markers (and sometimes embalming). Biodegradable cremation urns dissolve without harming the soil or water, and are often constructed from sustainably harvested materials. Even pet memorials are available in these materials, so pet owners who wish to memorialize their pets can select earth-friendly urns.

Some of our earth-friendly options:
Biodegradable Urns
Biodegradable Pet Urns
Shaker all-wood urns
Trappist wood caskets

Caregivers: Be aware of this new scam

Criminals are purchasing mailing lists from vendors like InfoUSA to steal from the elderly. Find out about the scams, and how to help your clients protect themselves.

Article: New York Times, May 20

Irish wake winners announced this weekend

Our Ideal Irish Wake Contest is now closed. Thanks to everyone who entered and shared their wishes with us. One winner will receive a Celtic Cross Obelisk, suitable for the garden (or for memorializing a loved one). The runners up will receive subscriptions to the Irish-American Newspapers of their choice.

Funerals in Kazakhstan

Even Sasha Baren Cohen, creator of Borat, couldn't dream this up. The funeral business in the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan has become emblematic of the nation's difficulty in adjusting to a market economy. In the absence of Soviet rule, the industry has become chaotic and rife with corruption. Unlicensed funeral directors lack basic technical skills and cut corners wherever possible to increase profits. According to Alexander Korzukhin, "they didn't know how to embalm and so they would cut the organs out of the body and tell the relatives to flush them down the toilet or put them in a plastic bag and throw them in the rubbish containers."

Korhukin, who now imports Italian caskets, hopes to restore dignity to Kazakh funerals. By lobbying for licensing requirements, selling caskets at prices the middle class can afford, and instituting the use of Western-style hearses, he believes he can help Kazakhstan show greater respect for the dead.

Full story

Blue Christmas masses

Christmas is a time of joy for many, but not for those who have lost loved ones during the year. Recognizing that fact, some churches have begun offering "Blue Christmas" services for the bereaved. Quiet music and subdued surroundings take the place of cheerful carols and bright decorations. The message is the same, speaking of hope and renewal.

Hot Weather and the Elderly

Summer is almost here, and the mercury will be nearing triple digits before long. While hot weather and high humidity are merely unpleasant for most people, they pose serious dangers for the elderly. Their bodies are less able to adjust to changes in temperature, and they may be taking medications that change the body's response to heat. The good news is that heat-related illnesses are preventable. This year, follow a few common sense rules to keep seniors in your family and your community safe.

Common hot weather risks include:

Dehydration. Seniors are less sensitive to thirst signals, and may drink less than they need. Remind them to maintain a steady intake of fluids when taking part in outdoor activities, even if they do not feel thirsty. If they are on medications that alter the body's processing of fluids, be sure they check with their physicians to determine the proper amount of fluid intake. Dehydration can lead to heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Heatstroke. The most dangerous of the heat-related illnesses is heatstroke, which can be fatal. In heatstroke, the body is unable to cool itself. Symptoms can include high body temperature without sweating, dizziness, and nausea. Emergency medical treatment is required.

Heat exhaustion. Less serious than heatstroke, heat exhaustion is caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures and inadequate hydration. Symptoms can include heavy sweating, pallor, dizziness, headache, and a quick pulse.

If you suspect either heat exhaustion or heatstroke, call for emergency medical treatment.

As a caregiver or professional services provider with elderly clients, you may be the only person to notice signs of these symptoms. Be aware that fans may not be sufficient to cool a home effectively, particularly during periods of high heat. Most cities operate cooling centers. Encourage your elderly clients to take advantage of these services if they do not have air conditioning.

For links to a list of cooling centers in Illinois and Chicago, and more resources on these health issues, see the article on our website.

Sources:
Centers for Disease Control
National Safety Council

Military Funeral Honors

The rendering of military funeral honors is a way to show the nation's deep gratitude to those who, in times of war and peace, have faithfully defended our country. This ceremonial paying of respect is the final demonstration a grateful nation can provide to the veterans' families. While these honors have always been provided whenever possible, the law now mandates the rendering of Military Funeral Honors for an eligible veteran if requested by the family. We are proud to offer these services.

What happens at a Military Funeral Honors ceremony?
The Department of Defense will provide an honor guard, consisting of at least two members of the Armed Forces, for the ceremony. At least one member of the detail will be a member of the branch in which the veteran served. During the ceremony, the honor guard will fold and present the United States flag to the veteran's family. Taps will be played by a bugler, if available, or by a recording. Depending on the branch of service, additional elements may be added. A local Veterans Service Organization (VSO) may also participate in the ceremony, providing a firing party, for example. Richard Lamb New Traditions Funerals staff can assist you in making arrangements with the Department of Defense and a local VSO, if available.

Who is eligible for Military Funeral Honors?
To demonstrate eligibility, the family must provide a discharge document showing a discharge other than dishonorable service. The preferred method for establishing eligibility is the DD Form 214, known as Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. A DD 214 form can be obtained by completing a Standard Form 180, which is available online.

For information on eligibility for a burial flag, please see the Department of Veterans Affairs website.

What does the ceremony cost?
There is no cost to families for Military Funeral Honors.

How can a Presidential Memorial Certificate be obtained? Who is eligible?
Any deceased, honorably discharged veteran is eligible for the Certificate. To request a Certificate, please visit your nearest Veterans Affairs regional office or send a request by mail to the following address:

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
National Cemetery Administration
810 Vermont Ave., NW
Washington DC

You can find more information about the Certificate online.

Where can I learn more about Military Funeral Honors?
A website is available for further information. If you would like to request Military Funeral Honors for a loved one, please contact Richard Lamb Funeral Service at 1-888-511-5262.

Wisconsin bans protests at funerals

Wisconsin has become the first state to ban protests at funerals, but others states have legislation in process. Sparked by recent protests at military funerals, the legislation bans protests within 500 feet of a funeral, beginning one hour and concluding one hour after the service.

Full story:
WRFV Green Bay
Wisconsin State Journal

What the Internet means for the funeral industry and for consumers

Guest editor: Stephen Lamb

Not so long ago, consumers did not shop around when making funeral plans. When the time came, they went to the funeral director their families had always used. Shopping for a better (or fairer) price was not done. Without the pressure of meaningful competition, prices were not kept in check.

Most consumers still do not shop around when making, or contemplating, funeral plans. But, two developments have given families greater control over the funeral planning process. First, the federal government ruled that funeral homes must allow consumers to use caskets they had purchased outside of the funeral home. The traditional funeral home monopoly on caskets was weakened significantly by this change. Second, the Internet arose as an easy means of comparing funeral homes, caskets, and cremation urns, and of making merchandise purchases from the best possible provider.

Although funeral homes have had to make their general price lists available to the public for some time, the growth of the Internet as a shopping tool has placed increased pressure on funeral homes to release detailed pricing and service information. Many are uncomfortable with the degree of transparency many consumers have come to expect. Shopping search engines such as Froogle allow users to compare prices from dozens of sites with a single search. Opinion and feedback sites give consumers the chance to post details about their experiences with funeral service providers.

These new tools give consumers unprecedented power in the funeral planning relationship, but adoption has been slow. Consumers are willing to spend hours finding better wireless plans, but they are often less selective in choosing caskets and urns. Once consumers become aware of these tools in a funeral planning context, the traditional funeral homes, many of which are now owned by global corporations, will feel the pressure to change. Expect fairer pricing and more funeral planning options, which is exactly what small, family-owned funeral service providers have been giving consumers all along.