Carol Van Ahlers

My best friend’s mother passed away on my birthday. Each year when she calls to wish me a happy birthday, I always feel awkward, knowing that this is also the day that she lost someone she loved dearly. I appreciate the birthday wishes, but also want to convey my thoughts to her knowing that this […]

When you lose a loved one, there are many arrangements that need to made at a time when you are faced with so many emotions. Our mission, when you enter our doors, is to help guide you through the funeral arrangement process with as much care and compassion as possible. It is not an easy

While researching the value of meditation to those who are grieving, I came across an excellent article by Mary Friedel-Hunt, MA LCSW on the website Griefhaven.org. She began the article with the following quote: It is only through holding our own broken hearts and wounds in an attentive and compassionate embrace, that we can, over

With the onslaught of advice for making New Year’s Resolutions that seems to happen at the end of every year, I came upon a quote that actually gave me pause. I liked it, mostly for its positivity and hope. The quote, by Brendon Burchard, Motivational Speaker and Life Coach, reads: “Do not move on to

Any time someone we love has lost someone they love, it is hard to watch them grieve. Often we feel helpless in our ability to ease their pain and wonder how we can best bring them comfort. During a season with such a focus on joy, this can be even more difficult. So how can

Years ago a friend sent me a quick note after Thanksgiving. It was short and sweet and basically said that she was thinking of me on Thanksgiving and was grateful for our years of friendship, the adventures we shared and the promise of good times to come. It was so simple, but meant so much.

As discussed in our last blog, one of the best keys to finding joy during the holiday season is to find a special way to honor the loved one you are grieving. Holiday traditions are wonderful, but there is nothing to say that traditions can’t begin now and be held dear for years to come.

Plans are nothing, planning is everything… Dwight D. Eisenhower This quote speaks to our topic just perfectly. Everyone knows that the holidays are filled, overflowing in fact, with plans, parties and traditions. This can be challenging to anyone, but for those in the midst of dealing with loss, festivities can get overwhelming. So let’s take

When you have experienced the loss of a loved one, you cannot simply put a pause on your grief and breeze your way into a season of joy. Grief comes in waves, it may get easier in time, but for most it is carried forever. When family gatherings and happy celebrations abound, no matter how

While on a morning walk recently, I came across a woman quietly seated on a bench under a tree. She was looking out over a view of rooftops and foothills. I didn’t see anything in particular that might catch her gaze. If I looked carefully, I could see Mt. Wilson and the Los Angeles skyline.