Page 73 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2018- Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS
Cremation with

Confidence

BY LAURA LANDES

The Power of Closure and Celebration

s cremation becomes more and more popular, I am left This act of love and due diligence should be made available for
wondering if we have somehow, as a society, lost sight anyone opting for cremation, as it has proven to be a beautiful
Aof the value in the celebration of life and ultimately opportunity for those beginning the journey of hope and healing.
the closure that a final viewing offers. It seems as if “direct When considering cremation, insist that the “Viewing for
cremation” has become the easy way out of accepting the Identification” process be a standard part of the services being
finality of death, allowing us to avoid the emotions that are offered, as well as a time to celebrate the life once lived. The
associated with the final viewing of the physical body that we immediate peace of mind from this opportunity can provide
have known and deeply loved for so many years, along with closure and comfort for you and for those you love for many
the memorialization of the life that was once lived. I have years to come.
personally witnessed how this “out of sight, out of mind”
mentality has proven to be a debilitating error in judgment,
causing effects for many years to come. LAURA LANDES is a licensed Funeral Director/ Embalmer and Preneed
Agent. She has been the EIC/Restorative Artist and Preneed Specialist
Through my experiences, I have come to realize that there is a at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers for the past 8 years. As
huge misconception surrounding cremation. Whether one is the Education Coordinator at Lake Ridge Chapel, she is committed to
for or against this practice, many believe that cremation does educating our community concerning many need-to-know “life and
not, nor cannot, accompany more traditional services, much death” topics through monthly workshops, seminars and special events.
less the opportunity to see a loved one once more. It saddens
me to think that cremation is viewed by so many, including
some mass crematories, as a means of “direct disposal”. In
and of itself, cremation is simply another form of disposition,
with the freedom to encompass the opportunities both for
closure and celebration.
I firmly believe that cremation families deserve the same
opportunities that burial families have always been granted. LAKE RIDGE
hal & emoia esigne
To bridge this gap, a viewing prior to cremation is vitally
important, offering the family a private time to say their final YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND OUR
goodbyes, while providing the peace of mind that a “positive
identification” of the loved one can bring. It has been my Educatina Wsho
experience that this form of closure has proven to be worth its Now Occurring Semi-Monthly
weight in gold.
FREE 1-HOUR WORKSHOPS AT LAKE RIDGE CHAPEL AND MEMORIAL DESIGNERS
I understand that not everyone feels this need for closure, as I THE 1ST & 3RD TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH - TAUGHT BY LOCAL EXPERTS
have been told so, outright. It has also been expressed to me, Upcoming Events:
while assisting individuals in the preplanning process, that JUNE 5TH, 2018 @ 5:30PM
some do not desire to be viewed by their family members, VANESSA BRAZIEL - Education Director, Raider Ranch
in hopes that they will be “remembered as they were.” As “Navigating Through Senior Living”
difficult as it may be, it is important that we realize that JUNE 19TH, 2018 @ 5:30PM
funerals and viewings are for the living, and it is not always GREG LINDER - President/CEO Better Business Bureau
“Elder Abuse: Avoiding Financial Fraud”
about what we desire but more so about what our family will
JULY 3RD, 2018 @ 5:30PM
need at the time of our passing. HARRY CARROLL - Disabled Veteran’s Administration
I have come to realize that many individuals who were so “Calling All Veterans: Know Your Benefits!”
adamantly against the idea of viewing for identification, after JULY 17TH, 2018 @ 5:30PM
having experienced this opportunity, become overwhelmed LEE FRANKS - Elder Law Attorney - Franks & Pleasant and an Amateur Chef
“Healthy Senior Living: Kitchen Hacks”
with a sense of gratitude. As a result, it is not uncommon
AUGUST 7TH, 2018 @ 5:30PM
for these same individuals to begin reaching out to their LAURA LANDES - Preneed Specialist & Education Coordinator
remaining family members, requesting their attendance as “What You Should Know Before You Go!”
well. AUGUST 21ST, 2018 @ 5:30PM
I vividly recall the solemn, stoic gentleman who enveloped TERRI NAVRKAL - Pres., Lubbock South Plains Retired Teachers Assoc.
“Understanding Teacher Retirement Benefits”
me in a strong embrace after describing the love of his life as
“more beautiful than he had seen her in years and so grateful PLEASE RSVP FOR EACH WORKSHOP: 806-698-8085
for the opportunity to see her one last time”, as well as the Please call for more information on upcoming workshops!
Refreshments will be served.
grown children who were so grateful for the nostalgic feeling Laura Landes
that accompanied seeing their father appearing 20 years Event Coordinator
younger, prior to his lengthy illness. These special moments 806-698-8085
have only strengthened the validity of my belief in this event. 6025 82nd St. | Lubbock, TX 79424 | 806.698.8085

Lubbock Senior Link 73