A picture of a table set for Thanksgiving and the words "The Empty Chair - Honoring Your Loved Ones at Thanksgiving

The Empty Chair: Managing Grief During the Holidays

Thanksgiving often brings families together around tables filled with food, stories, and laughter. But when someone we love...
An altar made of flowers in the shape of a cross with mementos, flowers and other gifts made of a Day of the Dead celebration.

The Spiritual Meaning of Día de Muertos

Though often mistaken for a “Day of the Dead” celebration of ghosts or fright, Día de Muertos is,...
Shows the Hilgenfeld Mortuary Sign that reads since 1927.

Honoring the Anaheim Community For Nearly A Century

Since 1927, Hilgenfeld Mortuary has stood as a cornerstone of care and compassion in Anaheim. Located on the...
Owner Becky Areias shares a book with a customer at the desk in the main arrangement room.

Why Preplanning Your Funeral Is a Gift to Your Future Self (and Your Family)

Thinking ahead about your own funeral may feel strange, especially if you’re still years away from needing it....
Family members gather around a tree which has been planted in honor of a loved one. Rose petals are scattered at the trunk.

How To Begin – Common Questions about Memorial Giving

Choosing charitable giving as a way to honor a loved one is a beautiful gesture. Still, many families...
The quoteAlbert Pike's, "What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal" - over a background of purple with a blue butterfly.

A Beautiful Way to Remember – Charitable Giving

When we lose someone we love, we naturally look for ways to keep their memory alive. Flowers, photos...
A bouquet of flowers rests on the hood of a white hearse.

Understanding Burial: Myths, Facts, and Options

In this second of our two part series, we hope to provide details about the option of choosing...
Hilgenfeld Mortuary staff member shows a customer a decorative urn.

Understanding Cremation: Myths, Facts and Options

When a family is faced with planning a final farewell, one of the first decisions is whether to...
A man holds an urn and a woman stands next to him as he appears to be addressing a memorial service.

How To Write and Deliver a Meaningful Eulogy

Giving a eulogy is a deeply personal way to honor a friend or family member who has passed...
A man stands in front of a group of mourners at a memorial service. Next to him is the casket decorated with candles.

Should You Accept the Role of Eulogist?

At my father’s memorial service years ago, my mother asked one of the sons of my parent’s best...
The words Hello Summer rest on a yellow background decorated with brown, yellow and orange flowers.

Celebrating the Summer Solstice: For Us, the Longest Day of the Year!

Every June, the Northern Hemisphere experiences the longest day of the year—a moment marked by ancient rituals, bonfires,...
A scattering of photos , a watch and chain and key, all memory items on a table.

A Handful of Ways to Personalize a Memorial Service

It’s been awhile since we have talked about planning a memorial service for a family member or friend....