Most Beautiful Places to Spread Ashes: Mountains

on May 1, 2015

When considering different locations to spread ashes, don’t discount the mountains. Beautiful and serene, they provide the perfect final resting place for anyone who loved the Great Outdoors. From the snow covered peaks of the Grand Teton to the horizontal peak of Table Mountain in South Africa, you have options as to where to spread ashes. Selecting one location proves to be difficult, however, because each is so very perfect for ash spreading.

Here is a list of some of the most incredible mountains in the world to spread ashes on or near:

• Mount Shasta in Northern California. Located near the border of Oregon, the volcano is a favorite among New Agers. It’s a possibility for ash spreading.
• Ama Dablam in Nepal. Sharp contrasting angles of rock make this mountain easily recognizable. Snowcapped peak makes the angles even more noticeable. Ash spreading may or may not be permitted at this location.
• Mount Eiger in Switzerland. Among the more challenging rock faces to scale, the mountain is gorgeous to look at. Many climbers have perished attempting to climb Mount Eiger. You may want to spread ashes at the foot of it rather than on the mountain itself. Ash spreading shouldn’t be treacherous.
• Glacier National Park in Montana. Climate change is making many of the glaciers melt. If you want to see the park in all its glory, do so before 2030. It’s the perfect setting for ash spreading. Learn more about whether or not you can spread ashes by visiting the park’s website.
The mountains serve as one of the most beautiful places to spread ashes. Choose the location that is right for you and your loved one. The aforementioned list of suggestions are among the most breathtaking spots on the planet. Ash spreading is one way to honor a person, their love for nature, and the adventurous life they lived.
Keep in mind that not every country honors “last wishes.” Before you spread ashes on any mountain, make sure it’s permitted by asking the people in charge. Ash spreading may be frowned upon in some areas of the world so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Contact Baldwin Brothers

Casket burial is not for everyone. If you want to be cremated, Baldwin Brothers can help. Let your loved ones know that you want your ashes to be spread somewhere beautiful.

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Winter Park – (407) 569-0992

New Smyrna Beach – (386) 957-1693

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A Brief History of the Calla Lily and It’s Meaning

on September 14, 2014

Calla lilies are a beautiful flower commonly seen in wedding and funeral planning. How did this flower become so popular? Read on to learn more about the calla lily’s interesting history.

Calla Lily Origins

Calla lilies are originally from Southern Africa, specifically around South Africa, Madagascar and Malawi. The flower eventually made its way to Europe, to the United States and to many other parts of the world.

Calla Lily Symbolism

The calla lily is a common symbol that has held significant, yet diverse, meanings for various people groups over time. In ancient mythology, the calla lily represented the goddess Hera, who was believed to be the originator of flowers. According to the ancient Romans, the calla lily symbolized lust and sensuality. According to the ancient Christians, the flower symbolized purity, virtue, chastity and the Virgin Mary. Today, calla lilies symbolize innocence, sympathy and the purification of a departed soul. This makes the flower perfect for funeral planning today.

Calla Lily Uses

Calla lilies are commonly used at weddings and in funeral planning, especially in funeral planning for young people who have died before their time. They can also be found in many flower arrangements, since they keep well and last for a long time.

Calla Lily Varieties

While white is by far the most common color of calla lily available, other colors exist and are used in funeral planning as well. Calla lilies are also available in pink, purple, yellow, orange and green. All of these varieties are quite beautiful, which is fitting since the name for the flower actually comes from the Greek word for beauty.

If you have funeral planning to do, be sure to include calla lilies in the service somewhere. The beautiful flowers are sure to add a small glimmer of beauty and hope on an otherwise sad day.

Partner With Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society of Central Florida

Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society of Central Florida wants to help you get through a difficult time as easily as possible. With everything from flower arrangements to memorabilia and urns & caskets, we have your needs covered.

Proudly Serving Central Florida

Winter Park – (407) 569-0992

New Smyrna Beach – (386) 957-1693

Lady Lake – (352) 639-2563

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How Having a Bucket List Can Change the Way You Live

on August 14, 2014

Most people think of a bucket list as a list of activities to make their lives better in the proverbial “someday,” but did you know that having a bucket list can actually improve your quality of life today? It’s true. Don’t wait until it’s time to start your funeral planning to start your bucket list. Here are four ways that having a bucket list can change the way you live today.

Four Ways a Bucket List Can Make Every Day Better

1. It Will Help You Focus on Your Priorities

Without clear priorities, it is too easy to just spend your money and time frivolously until it’s time to begin your funeral planning. With a bucket list, however, you can start putting your time and your money towards those activities you can’t wait to accomplish before it’s time to start funeral planning.

2. It Will Give You Something to Look Forward To

With work, bills and family responsibilities, it can be easy to fall into a boring routine of doing the same old thing every day until it’s time for funeral planning. This kind of life can seem hopeless. With a bucket list, however, you have goals to look forward to and to strive for.

3. It Will Help You Expand Your Horizons

While making your bucket list, the world is your oyster. You can put absolutely anything on your list that you want. After you fill it in with all the usual things, you may start thinking of new things you would like to try before it’s time to start funeral planning.

4. It Will Help You to Start Taking Steps in a Positive Direction

Without a bucket list, you are stuck with the feeling that things will get better “someday,” but someday never seems to come. Instead, it’s time to start funeral planning before you know it. With a bucket list, however, you have a clear plan of what you want to do, which is the first step in actually making it happen.

Partner With Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society of Central Florida

Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society of Central Florida wants to help you remember your loved one the way they would want to be remembered. With everything from flower arrangements to memorabilia and urns & caskets, we have your needs covered.

Proudly Serving Central Florida

Winter Park – (407) 569-0992

New Smyrna Beach – (386) 957-1693

Lady Lake – (352) 639-2563

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Tips for Celebration Slide Shows

on June 27, 2014

If a family or friend member has passed away, then the funeral arrangements become a priority. Many of the traditional methods of ceremonies leave out the memories or the fulfillment of an individual’s life. Today, family and friends are adding into the funeral arrangements with a personal touch for the individual that has passed away. Slide shows are one of the ways that many are embracing the life that one had. If you are planning a slide show with funeral arrangements, then you can use the following tips for a better presentation.

Funeral Arrangement Slide Show Tips

Tip 1: Explore Life. While putting together the slide shows, you will want to look at all areas of the individual’s life. Creating a chronological presentation of the individual with family, career and achievements offers an overview that everyone can honor from the funeral arrangements.

Tip 2: Highlight the Best. A picture is worth a thousand words. Make sure you add in pictures to the slide show that highlight the individual’s life, what made them happiest and what their strongest memories are. This part of funeral arrangementshelps to honor and remember the individual that has passed away.

Tip 3: Add in Favorites. Slide shows have the capability of adding in music, voice overs, poetry and art. You can add in the favorite artistic shows and commentary during slide shows. Doing this with the funeral arrangements creates a memorable collage of the deceased.

Funeral arrangements for an individual that has passed away offers a way to remember and celebrate the life of the deceased. If you want to contribute, then piecing together slide shows in honor of the individual gives a full scope of memories that everyone can embrace.

Learn More

Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society of Central Florida helps you through every part of funeral arrangements. With everything from flower arrangements to memorabilia and urns & caskets, we are prepared to cover all of your needs.

Proudly Serving Central Florida

Winter Park – (407) 569-0992

New Smyrna Beach – (386) 957-1693

Lady Lake – (352) 639-2563

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Celebrating All Stages of Life

on June 20, 2014

Traditional methods of a funeral service include a main ceremony for the individual that has passed away. However, many of the funeral arrangements today are expanding into a celebration of one’s life after they have died. This offers a light, warm and loving way to remember the individual that has passed away. Many that tie into these funeral arrangements are able to add in a personal touch to further remember the individual that has passed away.

Life Celebration in Funeral Arrangements

The funeral arrangements used for a celebration of life memorial are based on highlighting the individual’s key moments in life. Typically, one is able to look at different areas of their life and what was achieved. This is followed with the highlights in work, family and other achievements that have taken place. This part of the funeral arrangements is inclusive of looking at pictures, video and other collages that show the stages of life from the deceased.

Not only does the collage of one’s life add into the funeral arrangements for the celebration of life. Many will have memories and associations with the individual that they can share. It is also possible to add in music, poetry and other art forms that the individual may have loved. Adding in humor, celebration and life to the funeral arrangements offers a different perspective and memory of the individual who has died.

A Joyful Way to Remember a Life Well-Lived

If a friend or family has passed away, then creating funeral arrangements that celebrate their passing offers a different ceremony. Honoring the life of the individual with memories, achievements and with their favorite parts of life offers a different ending for the individual. Family and friends that add into these funeral arrangements are then able to have a different association with the passing away of the individual.

Learn More

Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society of Central Florida helps you through every detail of funeral arrangement. With everything from flower arrangements to memorabilia and urns & caskets, we are prepared to cover all of your needs.

Proudly Serving Central Florida

Winter Park – (407) 569-0992

New Smyrna Beach – (386) 957-1693

Lady Lake – (352) 639-2563

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How to Write a Remembrance Speech

on June 13, 2014

Preparing for a loved one who has passed away can often become difficult. If you have been asked to provide a remembrance speech during funeral planning, then you will want to know how to create the moment with a sense of honor for the individual. Creating a memorable and light speech that allows friends and family to remember the highlights the individual’s life assists with a smooth transition from the individual who has died.

Compassionate Funeral Planning Assistance in Central Florida

When working with funeral planning for a remembrance speech, you will want to add in the factual details about a person. A brief overview of their life, what they achieved and details about friends and family creates a simple introduction for the individual. You can then move into stories, memories or favorite poems or songs of the individual who has passed away. This offers a lighthearted memory for the funeral planning and honors the person who has died.

Typically, a remembrance speech should be an average of 5 - 10 minutes because of other ceremonies with funeral planning. You will want to keep the other ceremonial aspects in mind while you are looking at the funeral planning and your speech. Creating an overview of the individual’s life and making sure you add in a personal touch with your memories or in honor of the individual can then help you to create the perfect last memories.

Remembrance Speech to Honor a Life

Funeral planning for a friend or family member that has passed away is often difficult. Honoring the individual with a remembrance speech allows you to offer more for the family and friends as well as for the deceased. While working with funeral planning, you will also want to consider the approach for a remembrance speech. By creating a specific approach, you open a door at the funeral to highlight the best parts of one’s life.

Learn More

Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society of Central Florida helps you through every detail of funeral arrangement. With everything from flower arrangements to memorabilia and urns & caskets, we are prepared to cover all of your needs.

Proudly Serving Central Florida

Winter Park – (407) 569-0992

New Smyrna Beach – (386) 957-1693

Lady Lake – (352) 639-2563

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Funeral Planning Checklist

on June 6, 2014

The passing of a loved one also creates a focus on the best way to remember them. You want to make sure that the final ceremony of their passing is remembered with a smooth transition. Funeral planning is an essential part of the last moments for a friend or loved one. Using a funeral planning checklist is a simple way to prepare for the needs of someone who has passed away.

What to Remember

The first step to funeral planning is to prepare the details. Typically, a family member will have requests and expectations with their final wishes or a will and testament. You can add into this flowers, decor and other accents to compliment the funeral. You will want to combine this with preparations for the ceremony, such as meeting with a funeral director and others that want to contribute to the last wishes of the family member. Keeping a program in order offers the best, final compliments to one who has passed and assists with simple funeral planning.
The ceremony compliments add in with the expectations for family and friends. With funeral planning, you will need to invite other friends and family members to the final ceremony. You will also want to piece together parts of the ceremony for friends and family to contribute to. Many will add in pictures, memoirs and even creations on a website. These all make the memories of those passing remain present.

Funeral Planning Assistance in the Villages, Water Park, and Orlando

If you are facing the death of a friend or family member, then you can work with a checklist. This assists with a smooth ceremony, memories that contribute to the passing and with a peaceful set of last wishes from friends and family. With the right planning, you will easily be able to offer more to those that have come to wish the best for those who have passed away.

Learn More

Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society of Central Florida helps you through every detail of funeral arrangement. With everything from flower arrangements to memorabilia and urns & caskets, we are prepared to cover all of your needs.

Proudly Serving Central Florida

Winter Park – (407) 569-0992

New Smyrna Beach – (386) 957-1693

Lady Lake – (352) 639-2563

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Funeral Etiquette

on March 17, 2014

Whether you have just lost a close, loved one or you are attending the funeral of a more distant acquaintance, exercising the right funeral etiquette is crucial. During this difficult time, it can sometimes be hard to decipher what the appropriate and inappropriate behavior is. Because of this, we have outlined some of the universal funeral etiquette musts. In this two-part blog series we will begin by discussing what preliminary action, if any, should be taken on your end upon hearing about the death of a loved one.

Tips for Mastering Funeral Etiquette:

Send a Token of Sympathy

Although it’s not required of funeral attendees to send flowers and notes, expressing their sympathy to the survivors of the departed, it is encouraged. Tokens of sympathy were traditionally expressed through flower arrangements, plants, or prepared food; however, we have seen a transition toward a preference for donations. Although many still appreciate the sentiment of a nice flower bouquet, contact the funeral home before sending anything to see if the family has expressed a preference.

Be Supportive

What may seem like a basic, straightforward task, like supporting survivors of the deceased, can sometimes prove difficult when you are mourning. Personal feelings aside, showing your support for the funeral arrangements loved ones make is always proper etiquette — it’s as simple as that.

Educate Yourself

Depending on the deceased’s personal beliefs and cultural or religious background, the surviving family may opt to celebrate the departed’s life in a manner that honors these traditions. Unfamiliar with a practice that is scheduled to take place? One of the best ways to show support and exhibit proper funeral etiquette is by educating yourself about end-of-life traditions you may be unfamiliar with.

How We Can Help

Need help maintaining proper funeral etiquette? Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society of Central Florida can help. With everything from flower arrangements to memorabilia and urns & caskets, we are prepared to cover your funeral needs.

Proudly Serving Central Florida

Winter Park – (407) 569-0992

New Smyrna Beach – (386) 957-1693

Lady Lake – (352) 639-2563

 

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Should Children Go to Funerals?

on February 13, 2014

In our last post, we addressed how parents can talk to their children about death. When a loved one passes, it’s important for parents to provide their children with the support and answers they need.

Still, even when parents are willing to talk to their children about difficult subjects, they might hesitate before taking their child to a funeral. Often we hear the question “Should children go to funerals?”

Sometimes, parents and older relatives want to shield children from grief by excluding them from death rituals or avoiding talking to children about death. But in reality, kids need to work through their grief just as adults do. Denying them closure that they desire or refusing to start the discussion about death will only stunt children emotionally.

Not every child will want to attend the funeral of a loved one, and that’s fine. But if your children decide that they would like to celebrate their lost family member or friend at their memorial services, here are some tips to help you prepare.

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Filed Under: Funeral Services, Grief Management Tagged With: , , , ,

Tips for Writing a Memorial Speech

on January 3, 2014

Memorial speeches can be difficult to craft, especially when you are coping with the loss of a loved one. At Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society, we understand how difficult these times can be. Because of this, we have provided some tips that should make writing a memorial speech easier. A memorial speech is the perfect opportunity for you to pay your respects to the deceased, so you will want to be sure to make sure you have the tools you need to write a memorial speech that makes you proud.

Guidelines for Memorial Speech Writing:

Express Your Feelings

For many, the opportunity to share their feelings about the loss of a loved one acts as a helpful grief management mechanism. The memorial speech is the perfect outlet for doing just this; however, it is important to remember a few guidelines. For example, while the goal of a memorial speech is to express how you feel about the recently deceased, you will want to make sure your speech stays focused on this factor. Sometimes, people write a memorial speech about THEIR feelings, something that is inappropriate in these circumstances.

Touch of Humor

In times of adversity, everyone handles grief differently. If you feel up to the occasion, try integrating some humor into your memorial speech, especially if the deceased had a good sense of humor. Although you and other mourners are likely feeling sad during this period, humorous undertones act as a way to lift the spirits of those who are grieving. Again, it is important to use your judgement and not do anything that makes you uncomfortable. It is also best to err on the side of caution, not overdoing the humor during your memorial speech.

Keep It Conversational

When it comes to memorial speech writing, be sure to keep your tone conversational. The ability to engage with your audience allows for the messages in your memorial speech to resonate more with your onlookers. The trick? Keep your memorial speech conversational. Don’t worry that this tone will not undermine the importance of what you are saying. In fact, it will help you. When people are grieving, they often seek support from others, which makes it all the more important to approach your audience as a friend.

Learn More

The most important thing to remember during this process is that there is no right way to give a memorial speech. During this difficult time, listen to your heart, doing what feels best.

For information about our end-of-life preparation tips, visit our blog, or call (407) 569-0992 to speak with a professional at Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society of Central Florida.

Proudly Serving All of Central Florida.

Winter Park – (407) 569-0992

New Smyrna Beach – (386) 957-1693

Lady Lake - (352) 639-2563

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