Monthly Archives: October 2019

funeral home in Levittown, PA

How To Write A Eulogy

It may seem like an impossible task to write a eulogy for someone you know and love after they’ve passed away. Whether you’re speaking at a memorial service, or at a funeral in a funeral home in Levittown, PA, you can use these tips to help make the eulogy writing easier:

  • Keep it Brief – Although it seems tough to cram a whole life into a few minutes, the eulogy should not be longer than 5 minutes. Focus on the main parts of the deceased’s life, and be sure to write your speech down so you don’t stray off topic.
  • Stay Positive – Although cremations and memorials are somber, you should still remain focused on the person’s life and not their death. Avoid talking about negative moments or things that might cast a poor light on him or her, as the purpose of the eulogy is to honor the deceased.
  • Be Personal – Focus on the good and positive things in the deceased’s life, and don’t be afraid to add a bit of mild humor to keep things light. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to add a few personal stories or memories.
  • Be Prepared – Write your eulogy before the service. That way, everything you are going to say is planned out so you don’t have to worry in the moment. Print it out on a paper so you’re not messing with a phone or tablet.
  • Don’t Forget a Bio – While you can structure the eulogy with stories and moments, it’s easier to frame it as a short biography. Include details like place of birth, marriage, children and other big milestones to keep the story linear and easy to follow. Though these details may seem trivial, they are an important part of every eulogy.
  • Details Are Important – Don’t forget to add details like your name and your relationship to the deceased. You should also be sure to thank everyone for coming, and mention why everyone is gathered.
  • Delivery is Key – You don’t have to be a professional actor or public speaker, but be aware of your delivery. Try to use a light conversational tone, and look up from the paper every few sentences to connect with the rest of the people at the service.
  • End Positive – End your eulogy on a good note, like a fond memory or the impact the deceased had on your life. You can also finish by saying a final goodbye, or mentioning that this is exactly the way the person would want things to be. You never want to leave the funeral attendees feeling more upset than when they arrived.

Giving a eulogy doesn’t have to be stressful if you are prepared. Use these tips to make sure you’re as prepared as possible to honor your lost loved one through the eulogy. If you want more tips on eulogies, or want to learn more about Levittown, PA funeral homes, J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel can help. Please visit us at 41 W Trenton Ave Morrisville, PA 19067, or give us a call at (215) 295-7725.

cremation services in Yardley, PA

Are Cremation Services Good For The Environment?

As our planet continues to suffer from the threat of severe climate change, many people are stepping up to do their part to help protect our world. A posthumous, non-traditional way to help the environment is through cremation services in Yardley, PA. A lot of people never even think about burials’ environmental impact, but a few small changes to funerals and services can go a long way.

Cremation has a lot of positive sides over traditional burials. One of the main ones is environmental impact. Traditional, full service burials have considerable negative impact on the environment, like loss of habitat. A recent statistic from the Centre for National Burial states that 10 acres of cemetery holds almost 20,000 tons of vault concrete, 1000 tons of casket steal, and enough wood to build over 40 full-sized homes. All that material leaves little room for animal and plant life. Not to mention loss of land that could otherwise be used to grow food or build homes.

Thanks to new modern technology, cremation can be a greener choice than burial. However, there are some downsides to cremation in terms of the environment. Standard crematoriums burn a lot of natural gas, and therefore release lots of greenhouse gases and chemical vapors that can harm the atmosphere.

Also, to fully dehydrate a human body to bone and ash, a crematorium has to be fully heated to at least 1400 degrees Fahrenheit, and maintain the heat for a minimum of 45 minutes. This process releases a lot of carbon dioxide, and uses up a lot of fossil fuel. But, new technology and more fuel-efficient crematorium centers have greatly reduced these negative impacts.

There are ways you personally can make cremation even greener. Some of these include:

  • Recycle medical materials. Remove and recycle medical devices and parts, like pacemakers, before cremation. Burning said parts can release harmful gases and produce non-biodegradable ash.
  • Choose the casket carefully. Cremation providers generally require bodies to be in a rigid, consumable, and leak-proof casket for the cremation process. Burning these caskets can give off noxious gases and fumes, if you chose a bad one. When picking out your cremation casket, look for one made of non-toxic and renewable material. Wicker and cardboard are great options.
  • Consider a biodegradable urn. Many people chose to bury their loved one’s ashes after cremation. While urns and ashes take up less space than a full-size grave, urns slow down the decay process and may negatively impact the surrounding earth. Choose a biodegradable urn to better protect the local ground.

Be careful to remain aware of your options when it comes to Yardley, PA cremation services so you can feel good about your choice in terms of the environment. If you have questions about how you can make body disposition greener, simply contact J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel by visiting 41 W Trenton Ave Morrisville, PA 19067, or calling (215) 295-7725. We would love to help you make the best choice for you and your loved ones in any way we can.

funeral homes in Yardley, PA

Do I Need An Estate Planning Attorney?

No one wants to think about funeral homes in Yardley, PA, or other parts of death and dying, but you need to be as prepared for your passing as you can be. The more prepared you are, the less stress you will leave for your loved ones and family after you are gone. One of the biggest parts of planning for your death is dealing with your estate and legal matters. Estate planning attorneys are ideal for helping you do just that.

Estate planning attorneys help guide you through the process of deciding how you want to divide your assets, gathering and preparing necessary post-life documents, and making sure your wishes are carried out after you’re gone. These lawyers are important because sometimes, without proper legal advice, affairs are left up to family members that are unsure of your wishes, or, in the worst case, might fight over the decisions. Estate lawyers can help you draft, review, and authorize important documents such as:

  • Last will and testament
  • Trust
  • Durable power of attorney
  • Medical durable power of attorney
  • Beneficiary designations

Like all other lawyers, estate-planning attorneys charge fees. They generally charge a flat rate for prepping your desired documents and a per hour rate for more complicated tasks like handling disputes or carrying out the will. Be sure to decide on rates up front with your lawyer to protect yourself from getting over charged.

But, do you really need an estate-planning attorney?

For most people, the answer is no. You don’t really need an estate planning unless:

  • Your net worth is more than $5 million. If you have a large net worth, your estate might be subject to estate tax. In that case, it’s a good idea to consult a lawyer to make sure that your beneficiaries get what you wish as opposed to it being taken by taxes.
  • You own large or many properties. Dividing up property can be tricky as titles are held in many ways and there are often confusing technicalities that you might be unaware of. In some cases, you might not even have the right to bequeath certain properties. An experiences lawyer can help guide you through these confusing laws to make sure your property is dealt with appropriately.
  • You have special circumstances. From children with disabilities to foreign property or heirs, special circumstances and finances are tough to navigate.

If you’re unsure if you need an estate-planning lawyer, it couldn’t hurt to get a consultation. Remember, most lawyers do charge fees even for consultations, but sometimes peace of mind is worth the small cost.

If you have more questions about estate planning and attorneys, or want to know more about preplanning for your passing, J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel can help. We are a Yardley, PA funeral home located at 41 W Trenton Ave Morrisville, PA 19067. Please call us at (215) 295-7725 today to learn more about what we can do for you.

cremation services in Trenton, NJ

How To Plan Cremation Services

Most people are aware of the many benefits of choosing cremation services in Trenton, NJ for final body disposition, but many people don’t know how to go about planning cremation services. Whether you’re preplanning for your own eventual passing, or dealing with a recent loss of a loved one, these steps can give you a better idea of how to plan cremation services.

1. Choose The Cremation Service– There are a few different types of cremations, and the first step is to choose which one you want. The two main types of cremation you can choose from are traditional cremation and direct cremation. Traditional cremation involves a funeral or service before the cremation. The body is embalmed and put in a casket for a funeral service, then cremated afterward. Direct cremation happens before any type of service, so the body is not embalmed or put in a casket.

 

2. Obtain a Death Certificate– You will have to furnish a death certificate in order for a cremation facility to process the body. If you don’t already have one, some funeral homes and crematories may help you get one for an extra charge. Be sure to get extra copies, as you will need a death certificate copy for many stops along the way.

 

3. Cremation Authorization Forms– Every body must be held and examined by the county coroner or medical examiner before it can be cremated. The examiner must fill out and sign a cremation authorization form with details like:

  • Date of birth
  • Pacemakers or other implants
  • Infectious diseases
  • Time, place and cause of death

Many cremation authorization forms also include fingerprints or other body identifiers.

 

4. Arrange Transportation For the Body – Most funeral homes and crematories provide transportation for the body from the place of death, medical office or storage to the crematorium. In some cases, the family must arrange separate transportation.

 

5. Furnish a Cremation Casket – Even if you choose a direct cremation, you will still need a cremation casket for the body to be cremated in. Some facilities provide a cremation casket or simple box free of charge.

 

6. Determine Post Cremation Plans– The cremated remains will be returned to you after the cremation, so you must make plans for what to do with them. Some common options include scattering, burying or interring, displaying or storing the remains. Others choose to bury or inter the remains in the ground, a mausoleum, or a columbarium. You can also display the remains in an urn at home or some other special location.

 

If you would like more guidance on arranging Trenton, NJ cremation services, or have general questions about cremation or funerals, J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel is here to help. We offer years of cremation expertise, and would be happy to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have. Please pay us a visit at 41 W Trenton Ave Morrisville, PA 19067, or give us a call at (215) 295-7725 to learn more about what we can do for you in your time of loss.