Blog | Baldauff Family Funeral Home

Unique Gifts for Individuals Grieving  

Losing a loved one can be one of the most painful experiences an individual can go through. In most cases, the person may need extra support, especially after the cremation services in Lake Helen, FL, are complete. It can be helpful to have reminders that they can look at so they know they have people they can reach out to because this can help them get through the grief process, so here are a few gift ideas that can make a difference.

Gift Certificates

Grief can manifest differently in everyone, and because self-care is an integral part of getting through the process, gift cards might be the perfect option to offer them. There are many options to choose from, like helpful services such as house cleaning or yard care to ease their stress at home. Or something more focused on their situation, so choosing movie certificates or a massage can potentially offer them a sense of relaxation as they are going through the transition.

Streaming Services

There are multiple services to choose from that offer movies and TV for more complicated days or just days of rest. This can be especially true if children live in the household, so finding more kid-friendly streaming services can help offer a break from the emotions and help offer some entertainment.

Succulents

Some companies specialize in table arrangements which is an excellent alternative to flowers because these will last much longer. Succulents are easy to care for, and they’re also a beautiful addition to any home and can be set as a reminder that the person is supported and loved.

Bird Feeder

If the individual experiencing grief is an avid bird lover, you could purchase a feeder that is personalized for them about their loved ones. This will foster a feeling of comfort and, at the same time, can bring them some joy from watching the birds as they eat.

Jewelry

Choosing something that can be worn can also help individuals know that they are supported and cared for. Picking a simple piece like a sterling silver bracelet can be a great option, or even a personalized necklace lets them know they are not alone.

Butterfly Feeder

Nature can help create a sense of ease in peace for some individuals, and some companies are making butterfly feeders that can be personalized with colors and phrases about the loved one. This can be a unique and thoughtful gift to add to an outdoor area.

Families and Community Make us Great.

Because the experience of loss is different for everyone, it may be hard to determine the best gift for the individual. Starting with considering what their hobbies are and simply asking them can be helpful to get a better idea of what to provide.

When it comes to the cremation services in Lake Helen, FL, the event needs to be thoughtful and created in a way that truly honors the loved one, and we are here to help. We offer multiple services and understand the intricacies of planning compassionate events, so give us a call today to schedule your appointment.

Meal Ideas for Someone Grieving

Transitions happen with everyone, and whether it’s bringing a new to the home or going through the loss of a loved one, these can both be situations that create confusion as the emotions are processed. If you know someone who has recently needed to contact funeral homes in Lake Helen, FL, due to a loss, you might be considering creating a meal train to offer them support, and you might need some helpful recipe ideas. A few steps and suggestions can get you started, so keep reading for more information.

Getting Started

Once you have decided to create the meal train, you can get this schedule set up and give other people access to it that want to help contribute to the family or individual. There are a few essential things that you’re going to need to ask before preparing any meals, and they are:

Are there any allergies or food intolerances in the house?
Food preferences such as vegetarian or vegan?
What kind of kitchen appliances do they have, such as an oven or microwave?
How would they like to be contacted when the meal is on its way?
Checking to see if they want visitors or company during the dinner.

You will also want to make sure that you are preparing any of the meals in containers that do not need to be returned to decrease their stress level. And traditionally, when you do bring a meal, you want to make sure you include beverages and dessert.

Meal Ideas

Sheet pan baked chicken with veggies
Casseroles of any kind
Baked Spaghetti or lasagna
Premade salads with dressing on the side
Enchiladas or burritos
Macaroni and cheese
Build your tacos
Side salads
Turkey or chicken pot pie
Crockpot soups

You want to offer options that are easy to prepare and can be eaten at the leisure of the household, so a build your sandwich option can be a great idea. If children live in the home, bringing a body your pizza or finding kids-style foods such as chicken nuggets or corn dogs can help make the situation more manageable.

In addition to this, you may also want to provide a special side gift with the meal, such as a card or an extra special dessert that you know the family enjoys.

Offering Comfort and Compassion

Many different recipes can create more ease and less stress for the family, so focus on finding those. You also want to do your best to be understanding if they do not wish to have visitors or company because everyone grieves differently, so know that you’re doing your part to show support by offering food as a form of comfort.

And suppose you have recently lost someone and have started looking at funeral homes in Lake Helen, FL. In that case, you want to find a company that offers integrity and compassionate care as its primary focus. Having an experienced and caring staff can make all the difference in planning services, so contact us today if you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment.

Burial Ideas for Cremation

Cremation Services in Daytona Beach, FL, is an option used for thousands of years as an honorable way to lay loved ones to rest after they have passed on. But you may have never considered burial an option that could be combined with cremation. So, whether you have just lost a loved one or are preplanning, it could be helpful to understand what your choices are, so keep reading for more information.

Private Residence

If the loved one or someone they knew had a piece of property near and dear to the individual, they might have requested to be buried there. There could even be a designated spot that the individual picked out to be laid to rest in some cases.

Urn Garden

Urn gardens are a dedicated area in a cemetery made up of a small plot that has specific kinds of landscaping in it. The urns are placed around the landscaped area, such as by rocks, a fountain, and other garden parts.

Cemetery Plot

Some cemeteries will allow individuals to purchase a traditional gravesite to bury the cremated remains. This can be a valuable item, especially if there are a large number of people that want to be buried in the same area, such as a family. You will also have to purchase a burial vault in addition to the plot because this will help prevent the earth from collapsing in on the remains.

Columbarium

Columbariums are part of most cemeteries, and they are built above the ground and are made explicitly for cremated remains. The wall has separate containers called niches that are the size of a standard urn. Depending on the size of the family, the whole columbarium can be dedicated to just them, or it may be for a community of different people. Traditionally, the niches will also have a Broads plaque on the outside that displays the individual’s name who is laid to rest there.

Parks or Water

If the individual who passed away loved a specific location or spot such as a National Park, there is the option to scatter their ashes there. In addition to this, if you choose to do a barrel at sea, you want to make sure you purchase a biodegradable urn and check with local agencies about the regulations and the process required.

Where Quality Meets Compassion

While the cremation process is a vital part of honoring the loved one, if they have chosen to have their remains buried, you want to do your best to ensure this is complete. One part of healing grief is knowing you’ve done everything you can to make sure their wishes are fulfilled, so if you need help planning cremation services in Daytona Beach, FL, we are here for you.

We are a locally owned company that takes pride in offering the highest quality compassionate care on the market and would love to be there from start to finish. Give us a call today if you have any questions or want to set up an appointment.

Eco-friendly Burial Options 

Sustainability is not just a buzzword in our culture, it is a mindset, and some individuals are changing their day-to-day living to adjust to an eco-friendlier lifestyle. From their clothing to food choices, where they’re getting their products from, and the options they must make a difference in their decisions; this is no different for funeral or cremation services in Lake Helen, FL. A few options are available for an eco-friendlier burial, so here is more information.

Resomation

Cremation Services have grown in popularity over the years, and the process consists of an individual’s remains being incinerated in temperatures up to 2000 degrees. Once the process is completed, the remains are ground down into ash-like substances and returned to the family members. Resomation is a variation of cremation through a revolution in the water using alkalines and high pressure to break down the remains into essential components. The process takes between four and six hours and requires less energy than traditional cremation.

Sea Burial

It could be suitable for the individual who loved the ocean to consider doing a burial at sea. These can consist of scattering the ashes on the water or doing a full-body release. The EPA may require special permits for this service due to the concern about non-decomposable materials ending up in the water source.

Natural Burial

Natural burial can be done on private property, depending on the individual’s state. There are also eco cemeteries placed around the country in nature preserves or wooded areas. They do not allow any toxic chemicals such as embalming fluids or certain oils, and any caskets or urns need to be made from biodegradable materials.

Donation to Science

Another option is to have the body donated to forensic science. The process consists of the individual’s remains being left to decompose in a more natural state for the study of assisting with criminal investigations. There’s no embalming, which means there’s no need for a casket or urn, more minor metals, or other materials placed in the soil.

Promessa

The last option is a newer choice that’s on the market and works to have the remains of the deceased cryogenically frozen until they reach a crystallized state. Once this is completed, the remains are broken into small pieces, freeze-dried, and then prepared to be buried. It’s a much faster process with the remains turning into the soil, and some states in the U.S. are looking to legalize the option for individuals.

Keeping Care at the Forefront

As you can see, there are a few different options when it comes to a more natural style service, but for some, a traditional funeral or cremation might be the best choice for their loved ones. It can be highly beneficial to work with a company that understands the intricacies of planning cremation services in Lake Helen, FL, and Baldauff Family Funeral Home and Crematory are here to help. We specialize in multiple services, so contact us today if you would like more information or schedule an appointment.

Ideas for Memorial Favors

Losing a loved one can create a state of grief, and part of laying the loved one to rest is organizing services with one of the funeral homes in Daytona Beach, FL. It can be comforting to know that there are people who want to attend the services, and offering them a small token or gift for coming can be a genuinely thoughtful action. There are many choices on the market of items that can be personalized gifts; they can be handed out after the services are completed, and here’s more information.

CD

Music has always had a way to affect individuals, and if the loved one had a large variety of music types that they enjoyed, you might consider putting some favorite songs onto a CD. The CDs are convenient because individuals can listen to songs and help connect to the individual in various ways while at the same time remembering them.

Recipe Card

If the individual was an avid cook or baker, they might have had a favorite recipe, so copying this down onto recipe cards can be another unique gift. Having the recipe can offer other people a chance to discover a new treat or meal that they like, but it may give them some extra insight into something else that the loved one appreciated.

Candle

Companies specialize in creating memorial candles, and you can have phrases printed on them to make them more personalized. These can also be a great addition if there is a candlelight vigil for the deceased.

Something Edible

Going to a funeral or cremation can be an emotionally stressful experience for some people, so providing a sweet treat can be a welcome offering after the services are completed. To make it more personalized, you could choose an item that the deceased enjoyed, such as a favorite cookie or candy as the option.

Keychain

Purchasing key chains can be another great gift because individuals can take this with them wherever they go and remember the loved one. In addition to this, you might consider wood as the material choice because these can be engraved, meaning the words will not fade or rub off over the years.

Decals

It’s not uncommon to see stickers on individuals’ cars. They can have different meanings for different people. The decals can also be a welcome gift in memory of the loved one so people can display these on their vehicles or other places in their lives.

Keeping Our Community in Mind

Offering a small token to those who show support can be a great reminder of what connection and comfort genuinely mean and planning the services does not have to be complicated with the right company. If you have recently lost a loved one and have started looking at funeral homes in Daytona Beach, FL, we are here to help. We offer multiple services and would love to help you get started, so if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, give us a call today.