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Losing a husband or life partner – it’s impossible to fathom or understand until it happens to you. Friends and family can be a loving source of support, but until they have experienced such a loss, they can sympathize but not empathize. As with so many challenges today, we can turn to the Internet for […]

This past Sunday was Mother’s Day, a time honored tradition that sets aside a particular day each year to make sure we remember to appreciate all those who have played a mothering role in our lives, our mothers and grandmothers, the mothers of our children and even our friends. Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia is credited

FEMA OFFERS FUNDS TO COVER FUNERAL EXPENSES TO FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES TO COVID-19. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is reimbursing certain funeral expenses to qualified families who have lost loved ones due to COVID-19. Applications to be considered for financial assistance on expenses incurred after January 20, 2020 are now being

Although some COVID restrictions impacting the funeral industry have been lessened, most families are still unable to hold the traditional memorial or funeral service immediately following the death of their loved one. This can be truly heartbreaking. Planning a gathering or memorial service, however, can begin at any time and may be helpful as you

We are greatly saddened on the passing of a beloved member of the Hilgenfeld Mortuary family, Pat Pina. Although not an employee, Pat was an integral member of our business family as the volunteer who ran our Grief Support Program for many years. Every other week, Pat would devote two hours of her day to

Don’t think about what can happen in a month. Don’t think about what can happen in a year. Just focus on the 24 hours in front of you and do what you can to get closer to where you want to be…Anonymous When you lose a loved one, especially when death was unexpected or has

“Real empathy is sometimes not insisting that it will be okay, but acknowledging that it is not.” Unknown A common response when a friend experiences a devastating loss is to have no idea what to do. What should you say? What can you do to make them feel better? How can you make it go

If you have experienced the loss of a friend or family member during the past year, dealing with your grief has become especially challenging. For most, it is something that has to be done alone, with members of your household or virtually. This applies to any loss, related to COVID-19 or not. Managing through the

Thanksgiving is the most wondrous of holidays and it has yet to become commercialized. There is only so much one can do with turkeys. But the truly special aspect of this American tradition is that the focus is not on getting, but giving. It’s even in the name. The day is truly all about giving,