Monthly Archives: May 2023

cremation service in Monroeville, PA

Essential Military Service Etiquette

A veteran can earn a military honors service before a cremation service in Monroeville, PA by serving their country in an honorable way. Every honorably discharged veteran is eligible for standard military honors, no matter which branch of the armed forces they served in, whether they died in battle, or if they lived a long life.

Did you know there are two kinds of military honors services: standard military honors and full military honors?

In a standard military honors service, a military chaplain officiates the service and serves as a counselor for the bereaved before and after the service. A standard service also includes a United States flag that is draped over the casket for the service and given to the family afterward as a keepsake to honor their lost loved one’s service.

An honor guard to present arms and salute the deceased is another part of standard military honors. At the appropriate time, two members of the guard will perform the flag-folding ceremony. The guard will fold the flag into a tri-corner shape. The guard will present the flag to the next of kin. Finally, a standard military honors service includes the playing of Taps, a standard bugle call during which everyone should stand and face the flag. Military personnel will salute, and civilians will place their right hand over their hearts.

A full military honors service includes the same elements as standard service as well as several other honors, like star-ranking officers are honored with a fired salute. In this tradition, the deceased will receive a specific number of gun salutes depending on his or her military rank. For example, Five-Star ranking Generals, along with chiefs of staff, cabinet members, and other high-ranking US officials will receive a 19-gun salute, Three-Star ranking officers will receive a 15-gun salute, and One-Star ranking officers will receive an 11-gun salute.

The full 21-gun salute is reserved for the President as Commander-in-Chief. A full military honors funeral also includes a military band and an escort platoon to accompany the deceased to burial or the service. Finally, a Colonel/Captain and above will receive standard military honors and a caparisoned, riderless horse to symbolize a fallen leader.

But how do you act at either service? To begin, only immediate family members of the deceasedcremation service in Monroeville, PA should sit in the front row, as this is a pale of honor and makes it easier to give them the folded flag. Everyone seated should stay seated throughout the entire service unless directed to stand. Also, only current or former military members should salute, but all civilians should remove hats or headgear during the salute. When it comes to attire, men should wear a darkly colored suit and a tie, while women should wear a dark suit, dress, or skirt and blouse. All military personnel should wear their dress uniforms. Similar to standard funerals, it’s best to dress as conservatively as possible out of respect for the deceased.

Do you want more information on military honors or Monroeville, PA cremation services? We are here to help however we can. Call or visit us today to learn more.

funeral home in Monroeville, PA

What Really Happens When You Die

Death, cremations, and funerals at a funeral home in Monroeville, PA remain a mystery to many people. Are you wondering what happens when you die?

Here is information about the body as it goes through the final stages of life and onto the next:

  • Death – The first thing that happens after a death is the body stops working. There are many ways the body can stop working, but it often includes loss of interest in eating drinking, slowing of breath, and the eventual shutdown of all the organs. Once the brain begins to shut down, the body may make involuntary movements and, when death has occurred, the bowels and bladder may evacuate.
  • Decomposition – Decomposition begins a few minutes after death with a process called autolysis, which is when enzymes destroy the cells and tissues in the body. The brain is usually the first organ to begin autolysis. After about 25 minutes, the body will enter pallor mortis, which is when it pales from lack of blood flow. Livor mortis, or the blood vessels collapsing and pooling, happens about an hour or two after death. Then the body moves into algor mortis, or cooling. It cools about 2 degrees every hour until it reaches the temperature of the air around it. Finally, the body enters rigor mortis, which is when it stiffens from muscle chemical changes.
  • Notification of the Family – After the death pronouncement, the family will be notified of the death by another loved one or a doctor, nurse, coroner, or police officer. After receiving word of death, it’s best for the bereaved to begin preparing for the funeral or cremation right away. They should call the funeral home or cremation provider as they will help guide the bereaved through the next steps.
  • Medical Professional Review – A medical professional will always check a body for signs of life before making a death pronouncement. These signs of life include pulse, breath, reflexes, and pupil dilation. If there are no signs of life, they will pronounce death.
  • Death Certificate – The local government or state will officially record the death and create the death certificate. The death certificate is completed by the doctor, certified by the state, and passed along to the next of kin.
  • Burial or Cremation – Depending on the deceased’s final wishes, the body will either be buried or cremated. After the cremation, the remains can be scattered, buried, placed in an urn, or in a manner of another final disposition.
  • Service Planning – The deceased’s next of kin will make arrangements for a funeral service or memorial service. Oftentimes the deceased will have left instructions for such a service. In these cases, the next skin should follow the instructions. If the deceased did not leave instructions, the funeral director or cremation provider will help guide the deceased through the planning process.

Do you want to learn more about what happens after a death or Monroeville, PA funeral homes? We are here to offer our expertise. Call or visit us today for more information about what we can do for you in your time of loss or preplanning.

cremation service in Penn Township, PA

What’s a Military Funeral Flag?

A military funeral flag is a standard United States flag that’s draped over the coffin or urn of a veteran or military servicemember during their funeral, memorial, or internment. But what you should do with them after a cremation service in Penn Township, PA? Keep reading to find out.

Also known as a military burial flag, the flag is folded up after the service over 13 times to form a triangle, perhaps representing the 13 original colonies and the shape of the hats traditionally worn during the Revolutionary War. After its folded, the flag is given to the deceased’s closest family member, like a spouse, parents, sibling, or other next of kin. The VA provides funeral flags at no cost for both active duty and retired veterans of any of the armed forces divisions. Civilians can request flags, but they do come at a cost.

What should you do with a flag after the service? There are several options that both honor the memory of your lost loved one and respect the nature of the flag. Some of them include:

  • Display the Flag in a Homemade Case – Make your own case to display the funeral flag on your mantle, on a shelf, or on a wall. This is a great way to invest time and meaningful craftsmanship into honoring your lost loved one.
  • Choose an Urn Base Display Case – If you’re lost loved one was cremated, you can buy a flag display case that is designed to fit perfectly on top of their cremation urn. This way, you can keep your lost loved one’s remains and their funeral flag in the same place.
  • Fly the Flag – While the official United States Flag Code does not mention whether or not you are allowed to fly a military funeral flag, there are two main factions divided on this issue. Some believe that once a funeral flag is folded it should remain that way, meaning it cannot be flown. Others believe flying the flag is a noble and patriotic way of honoring the deceased.
  • Buy a Memorabilia and Flag Display Case – Showcase your lost loved one’s militarycremation service in Penn Township, PA memorabilia and their funeral flag with a special display case. Such cases are perfect for exhibiting awards, patches, photos, insignia, and more. You can choose a wall-mountable or standing version of this kind of case so you can display memorabilia and the flag wherever it fits best in your home.
  • Buy a Personalized Military Flag Case – There are many flag cases available for sale, such as personalized cases that display the veteran’s service branch, name, and rank. The wooden case keeps the flag free from dust, and a felt-lined lid provides an area to proudly display awards and insignia.

Do you want more information on military funeral flags or Penn Township, PA cremation services? We are here to help. Call or visit us today to learn more about what we can do to help during your time of loss or preplanning.

funeral home in Penn Township, PA

Get Your Kids Involved in the Funeral Home Service

You need to make sure the service is memorable, respectful, and meaningful, but you should also make sure your kids feel included as they knew and loved the deceased, too. Your kids deserve to participate in a service at a funeral home in Penn Township, PA as it will not only make them feel included but will also help them express their own grief in constructive ways.

What can you do to help them feel included? These tips can help:

  • Make Them Part of the Service – While younger children might not be able to be part of a memorial or funeral, older kids certainly can. In fact, many older kids would be honored be part of remembering and celebrating their lost loved ones. You can make kids part of the service by having them do a reading, make a short speech, lead a prayer, or even just stand up at the front with the rest of the family.
  • Add Activities for Them – If your other children are younger, they might feel left out of the service and the planning because such events usually don’t have activities for younger kids. To make them feel included, add a few kid-friendly games or activities to the service schedule to make sure they are part of the event. Set up a children’s table with coloring books or crafts or hire a babysitter to help keep them entertained during the long day. Even having a side room where they can go if the service gets overwhelming will be helpful.
  • Give One-On-One Attention – It won’t hurt to put in a little extra effort with your little ones while planning a memorial or funeral. You don’t want anyone to feel neglected. Try putting aside some one-on-one time for your younger children while planning. You can take them with you while running errands and stop for lunch or ice cream after, or just add a bit of extra playtime into your daily schedule.
  • Assign Responsibilities – One surefire way to keep everyone happy and feeling involved isfuneral home in Penn Township, PA to actually involve everyone. Handing out responsibilities to your kids is sure to keep them happy and help them feel like they’re part of the experience. Plus, there is a lot to do when planning and executing a service, so the extra help will be appreciated. Get them to help with researching good quotes for speeches, helping guests make travel arrangements, or drawing pictures for decorations. Your other kids will feel excited and engaged if you give them a personal assignment to help make their lost loved one’s service the best it can be.

We’re committed to making sure your lost loved one’s service and Penn Township, PA funeral home service goes off without a hitch and is as meaningful and respectful as possible. Call or visit us today to learn more about funeral planning tips or to get more information on our services or what we can do for you in your time of loss or preplanning.