By Rick Snider

“Just Cremate Me”

Currently, less than 30% of the population goes to a house of worship on a regular basis.  Some 30 years ago most families attended a church or house of worship, and religion was an important part of their life.  The church also provided a place for dealing with a death.  Grieving provides comfort for those who fear the unknown and questions, “What happens when a person dies? “.   The increase in technology has encouraged people to become detached from the human experience, including the experience of losing someone through death. 

Cremation is not a funeral; it’s a disposition of the human remains.  When a person dies, there is still an emotional connection and relationship that was nurtured over time.  Funeral directing is not about burial or cremation, it’s about helping people grieve and separate from their loved one by creating a meaningful service. 

To experience the reality of death and begin this grief process, it is very important for mourners to view the body in a setting that is peaceful and provides a time to say good-bye.  30% of the families we serve choose to accomplish this by asking us to prepare the remains for viewing and placing the body in a rental casket, prior to the cremation, so that family and friends may share in this together. 

Our value statement at Baker-Hazel & Snider Funeral Home & Crematory is to serve by providing a time and place for Recognizing, Honoring & Commemorating a Life.  For 73 years and 4 generations we have been privileged and honored to serve those in need. You get one chance when it comes to a funeral; make sure it’s discussed and planned for everyone to benefit and participate.    

Be Aware!

"October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. We have made a lot of progress but still have a long way to go and need your help!"-www.nationalbreastcancer.org

This month we celebrate The Women.

The women who have suffered and battled Breast Cancer. It can occur in Men also-so we think of those men that have it as well.

Here are some Facts about Breast Cancer:

1.        1:8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer

2.        It is the most common cancer in women

3.        It is the second leading cause of death among women

4.        Each year it is est. that over 220,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die.

5.        Although, breast cancer in men is rare, an est. 2,150 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and approx. 410 will die each year.

http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-facts

Risk Factors: Watch this Video

 http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-risk-factors

Genetic Factors:

Here are some factors that cannot be changed

1. Gender: Breast Cancer occurs nearly 100 times more often in women than in men

2. Age: 2:3 women with invasive cancer are diagnosed after age 55

3. Race:  Breast Cancer is diagnosed more often in Caucasian women than women of other races.

4. Family History: if your mother, sister, father or child has been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer, you have a higher risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer in the future. Your risk increases if your relative was diagnosed before the age of 50.

5. Menstrual & Reproductive History: Early menstruation (before age 12), late menopause (after 55), having your first child at an older age, or never having given birth can also increase your risk for breast cancer.

6. Certain Genome Changes: Mutations in certain genes, this is determined through a genetic test.

7. Dense Breast Tissue: this can increase your risk as well. It can make the lumps harder to detect. It is a law in most states for the Doctor to disclose this dense tissue information to their patients.

If you would like to make a donation please visit:

https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-donations

Other Ways to help:

1.  Donate a Mammogram- $100, provides a mammogram for a woman in need

2.  Start a Fundraiser-Try and bring your community together

3.  Become a Sponsor- You can partner with a nationally-recognized charity.

4.  Shop at www.nbcfshop.com

                               We want to help people be aware! Wear Pink! 

Resources:

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/detailedguide/breast-cancer-risk-factors

http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-risk-factors

https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-donations

http://www.shopkomen.com

Healthy Lifestyle

Following are some helpful guidelines to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Always, consult with your physician prior to beginning any diet or exercise program.

Eating Healthy

Adjusting your diet to make healthy eating choices is probably one of the most difficult changes. Learn to consciously notice what you are eating and make healthy choices. Keeping a food diary to record the food you are eating, the amount, the time of day and the nutritional value of the food is a very helpful way to realize exactly what you are eating. There several free apps for Android and Apple phones, such as My Fitness Pal, to help keep you on track.

Exercise & Fitness

Maintain or improve your fitness by increasing your activity level. This may be achieved by choosing to take the stairs instead of the elevator or by choosing a parking spot that requires a longer walk to reach your destination. Jumping rope is an inexpensive and effective way to increase your cardio activity.  

Family and Friends Support

A successful healthy lifestyle begins with continued support from family and friends.  Remember, getting off track does not equate failure. Having a partner on your journey to healthy living will only improve your chances of success.   

Health Coaching

Health coaching is an approach to guiding people through behavior change utilizing goal setting, accountability and support. Health coaching can help you to achieve greater physical and mental well-being while providing you with tools to make lasting improvements.

Sleep

Getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep per night is easier said than done. Understanding your Circadian Rhythm is vital in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Learning relaxation techniques and ways to improve your sleep schedule will help in your goal of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Education/Pages/Factsheet_CircadianRhythms.aspx

Community Wellness Programs:

Good Samaritan Hospital, http://www.goodsamdayton.org/gshdefault.aspx?id=9998

City of Dayton, http://www.daytonrecreationandyou.com/AllProgramGrid.cfm

Miami Valley Hospital, http://www.miamivalleyhospital.org/mvhdefault.aspx?id=10922

Kettering Health Network, http://www.ketteringhealth.org/communityoutreach/

Saying Good-Bye

Saying Good-Bye

By: Angela Garrett

Saying good-bye is something that we all do everyday.  Most of the time we don't even give it much thought.  It's just a simple good-bye on the telephone or when we are walking out the door.  The definition of good-bye in the dictionary is a farewell at parting.  This past week good-bye has taken on a whole new meaning for my family.  My mom was diagnosed with lung cancer in January. For the past seven months, she has been doing chemo to try to put the cancer in remission.  Last week, we were told the chemo did not work.  There a few options to give us more time but nothing that will put the cancer in remission.  So now, for my family, we are starting our good-bye.  I feel blessed to have the time to say good-bye to my mom.  I remind myself that not everyone gets that opportunity.  I've seen it with families that we serve here at our funeral home.  

The fact that I've worked at Baker-Hazel & Snider Funeral Home for the past 20 years gives me a chance to know what goes on after death: the planning and details of a funeral service; the importance of celebrating life not death. I feel blessed to know at that time I will have my family here at the funeral home to help me.  I know they will care for my mom with love and respect.  I have watched Neil Hazel  and Rick Snider and all of our staff help families in anyway possible.  Working here will not change my pain or grief.  I will have to work through it.  This experience will help me to better serve our families.

Because of my faith and my mom's faith in God, I have peace.  Yes, I am sad!  Yes, I am mad at cancer!  Everyday it's a roller coaster ride of emotions.  Some are good and some are bad.  I can't change any of them.  I just have to roll with them and trust my Creator to bring me through.  When the time comes and I lay my mom's earthly shell to rest, I have hope that my final good-bye will not be forever. I will see her again!  I believe in Heaven  as much as I believe in gravity.  I can't see gravity but I feel it's pull.  When my mom is gone, I will feel the pull of Heaven even more.  

Right now, time feels like a friend and an enemy.  I have time to say the things that I need to say to my mom. I have the time to be with my mom while she is still feeling well.  Still, in the back of my mind I know that time is slipping away.  Time that we can't get back.  I don't want to waste my time with tears now, but I'm human so of course I've shed many tears this past week.  Sometimes I feel bad when I laugh, but then I remember that life has to go on.  My mom doesn't want us to be sad all the time.  She loves to hear me laugh! We've all been sitting and recalling fun and happy memories.  We are making plans to take a trip as a family.  We are having family pictures taken.  I told the doctor last week that I didn't want my mom to live dying.  I want her to die living.  So we are LIVING!

“Have the Talk of a Lifetime”

By: Rick Snider

The consumer-education program, Have the Talk of a Lifetime, launched by the Funeral and Memorial Information Council (FAMIC), is gaining significant exposure.   We at Baker-Hazel & Snider Funeral Home, feel that it’s very important to encourage and help families take the time, prior to one’s death, to discuss and record the memories and stories of one’s life, which will be significant in beginning the memorialization process. 

Our experiences in life are all unique and different and our legacy will be remembered and shared as we talk about everything.  We share all the stories about events, trials and victories.  But the important discussion you probably haven’t had is how we want to be remembered.   I am a third generation funeral director and I know through 30+ years of experience, that the conversations we share about our life with our loved ones, will help us make decisions regarding how we want to be remembered.

Memorialization is so much more than it used to be and one’s life story through memorialization will begin the process and transition of comforting and healing.

For four generations and 73 years, we at Baker-Hazel & Snider have promoted the importance of pre-arranged funeral arrangements. We have hired a Pre-arrangement Specialist, Josh Koehler who is a licensed Funeral Director, who has trained to guide families through this story telling process and memorialization by planning this significant event that will affect and involve family and friends.

Now is the time to talk with your family, and generate your story, and make these important plans, which will help your family during this transition from life to death.

 Josh Koehler, Pre-Need Specialist 

                                                                                           Need Assistance call 937-274-1151

Losing A Child

June 2014                                                                                                                          

I wanted to share this topic for the month of June because it has been on my mind a lot recently. I, myself love to read blogs along with posting on my personal blog. A month ago or so one of my favorite bloggers lost her little 3 years old boy. He was hit by a truck and died. As a parent, reading other parents thoughts and words about death is terrifying.  This accident is just horrifying and every parent’s worst nightmare.  I have never even met this family. However, I feel like family since she has been so expressive through her blogging career. I have turned to her for recipe advice, Mothering advice and DYI ideas.  The thing that she is afraid of the most now, is how to “Not be a Mommy”. She is struggling with the thought of- “Am I a Mom still… or Not?” The answer is Yes, once a Mom always a Mom.  Every day is a challenge for her to live without her son, he was her life. Some moments are better than others. She recently is starting blogging again about how she and her husband are getting through the hours.

Being a funeral director we have unfortunate deaths like this. Working here since 2010 I have only experienced a hand full of young, unexpected deaths. Every single one of them is a challenge on the professional’s part as well as a tragedy and unexplainable hardship on the families’ part. There are no words that can fix this. I just have to be a good listener and a guide for the family.

Recently, we had a service for a young man and his Mom explained that she knows God has given everyone a gift. One of those gifts is the 2 arms on our body, so every time you see her, she asked that you wrap those arms around her. She made it clear that the only way she will get through this is the support of her family, friends and God.

I have a few resources that might be able to help you, if you have experienced a loss of a child or young person. I hope these books or websites can help you.

Resources:

Books-

The Death of a Child, Reflections for Grieving Parents by Elaine E. Stillwell

Why, by Ann Graham Lotz

How to Go on Living When Someone You Love Dies, by Theresa Rando

Healing Grief, by James Van Praagh’s

The Shack, by William P. Young

Chicken Soup for the Grieving Soul

Healing After Loss, by Martha Whitmore Hickman

Living Still, Loving Always, by Nita Aasen

When Your Child Dies by Theresa Huntley

The Bereaved Parents, by Harriet Sarnoff Schiff

Websites-

http://www.openbible.info/topis/loss_of_a_child

More books and helpful tips-

http://www.sympathysolutions.com

Green or Natural Funerals

Green or Natural Funerals 

resources: Green Burial Council

“Green” or “Natural” funerals is an emerging alternative to traditional funeral practices.

The definition of “Green” or “Natural”, as related to funeral service, is the concept of caring for the dead with minimal environmental impact that furthers legitimate ecological aims such as the conservation of natural resources, reduction of carbon emissions, protection of worker health and the restoration and/or preservation of habitat.

There are many different shades of “green” in reference to the type of end of life services that are available.

Green or Natural funerals may include viewing, burial and cremation.

A casket, urn or shroud may be suitable for a green or natural burial if it is made from materials or substances that are non-toxic and readily biodegradable. These materials should be made from materials that are harvested in a manner that does not unnecessarily destroy the habitat.

Families may opt to have a viewing prior to the burial or cremation. There are alternatives to formaldehyde available to preserve a body for viewing purposes.

Natural, Green or Ecoembalming is defined by use of non-toxic, non-hazardous, safe, practical, ultra-low environmental-impact acceptable for natural or green burial and cremation. These fluids are readily biodegradable capable of fulfilling the Modern Tenets of Embalming as follows, public safety, temporary sanitation, cosmetic restoration and temporary preservation.

Ecoembalming uses non-toxic, non-hazardous, eco-safe fluids for temporary preservation and sanitation of the deceased for viewing purposes.  

Active chemical components of the ecoembalming fluid include essential oil ingredients.

Cremation may be considered green or natural because it reduces land use since the remains 

do not need to be interred.   

The funeral directors at Baker-Hazel & Snider Funeral Home & Crematory will work with you and your family to customize a green or natural funeral, burial or cremation. 

The Green Burial Council has a Planning Guide available on their website, www.greenburialcouncil.org, to help in the planning and facilitation of green or natural funeral services. 

Prearrangement Information

Source: Aftercare Resource Guide from Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company 2013

As you know, when a loved one dies, the family is faced with making many decisions at a difficult time. But you can spare loved ones from the burden of having to make these difficult decisions with a little advance planning. By planning ahead, you can give your family peace of mind knowing that the difficult decisions are already taken care of, ahead of time. There is no cost when planning ahead--it is a free service that we offer to the families we serve. You may come in anytime or have one of our representatives meet you to put your plans in place. You have experienced the pain of loss, but your loved ones can be spared the additional pain of worry, confusion, and doubt at a time of grief. Planning ahead is a tremendous gift of love and benefits your family in many ways. 

The Benefits to Prearranging

1. Your Family: The most important reason for prearranging your funeral is to spare your family the worry of having to make important decisions at an emotionally difficult time. During this stressful time, even the most sincere desire to create a fitting tribute can result in emotional overspending and other regretful decisions. 

2. Peace of Mind: You may have special wishes concerning your funeral arrangements. Our Thoughtful Decisions Guide will provide you with a document showing your wishes in writing. You can go over each section with your family, making decisions such as favorite hymns and Bible verses together. With this guide, you know everything will be taken care of according to your wishes. 

3. Saving Money: If you choose to pay for your prearranged services now, you may also ease the financial burden on your surviving loved ones. Remember, estate planning is incomplete until you have taken care of funeral prearrangement. Throughout your life, you have given thoughtful consideration to the important decisions you have made. You have prepared for those things that might happen by taking out fire or health insurance. Doesn't it make sense to prepare for those things that will happen?

Please don't be misled into thinking that the military, the veteran's organization, Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid will take care of final expenses. These organizations will be helpful, but they will not completely erase all the expenses involved in an untimely death.

Important decisions about your funeral service should not be made at the last minute. Your family will be under the most intense and difficult emotional stress of their lives when they face the reality of your death. The way to reduce this is to make your wishes known, in  advance, with our Thoughtful Decisions Guide. With this guide, you can go over your wishes with your family and make sound decisions in the privacy of your own home. The guide can then be securely filed with our funeral home. 

When you decide to prearrange, you may wish to speak to one of our funeral arrangement specialist. They will be available any time to answer any questions you have about prearranging, such as:

             1. What if I move after I have prearranged my funeral?

             2. What if I prearrange in my community and then die away from home?

             3. What if I change my mind about my arrangements?

Knowing your wishes were made in advance can bring peace of mind to you and your loved ones. Prearranging your funeral or cremation service is a decision you make, but it's a decision that will affect all of the people you love and who love you most. We invite you to come by or call us for more information about your prearrangement options. 

Source: Aftercare Resource Guide from Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company 2013

Aftercare Guide

Aftercare Guide

What To Do When A Loved One Dies

The loss of someone close to you, especially a spouse, parents, sibling, or child, is an extremely difficult time in many ways.

You might be experiencing feelings of intense grief, sadness and loss. It may be difficult to do even small everyday tasks like preparing meals and going to the store. Just when you think you're coping well, a memory might trigger your grief to return even stronger than before. The most important thing to do during this time is to be sure to take care of yourself. Eat well, get a good night's rest, take walks, stay healthy. Let yourself experience your grief and don't try to stop it. The only way to get through your grief is to let it run its natural course. 

When a loved one dies, there are also many practical matters that must be attended to. Financial organizations must be notified; government offices must be visited; credit card and insurance companies must be contacted; legal and personal affairs must be settled. Dealing with these practicalities may seem like more than you can handle in the first few weeks following the death of a loved one. Pace yourself and take it slow; though these are important matters, it is more important that you give yourself enough time to come to grips with your loss. 

We hope that this guide will be useful to you as you begin to settle your loved one's personal affairs and update your own. This resource guide is designed to provide you with information about filing for benefits, taking care of financial obligations, and settling legal affairs. If you need help with any of these tasks, don't hesitate to ask for the assistance of a close friend or relative. We also would be glad to help in any way we can. 

Veteran's Benefits

When a veteran dies, the surviving spouse may receive a Veteran's Administration allowance as partial reimbursement for an eligible veteran's burial and funeral or cremation costs.

Service-Related Death

If the death was service-related on or after September 11, 2001, the VA will pay up to $2,000.00. If the service-related death was on or prior to September 10, 2001, the VA will pay up to $1,500.00

If the veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery, a portion or all of the cost of moving the deceased may be reimbursed.

Nonservice-Related Death

For nonservice-related death, the Veterans Administration may provide a limited amount of compensation for burial and funeral expenses and/or transfer of the body, depending on eligibility. Please contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office at 1-800-749-8387 or visit their website at www.vba.va.gov to find out if you are eligible for any benefits. 

Headstones- Markers- United States Flag

All veterans with an honorable discharge will receive a flag and military honors. A deceased veteran, discharged under any condition except dishonorable, is entitled to a standard Government-furnished headstone or marker. Upon request, at no cost to the surviving family member, the VA will provide the headstone or marker for the gravesite.

Flat markers are available in granite, marble, and bronze. Upright headstones are available in granite and marble. The style must be consistent with existing monuments or markers at the burial site. 

The VA will provide a United States flag, at not cost, to drape over the casket or urn of a deceased veteran. Only one flag is provided per veteran. Generally the flag is given to the next of kin; however, the VA will furnish the flag to a friend upon request. 

VA Benefits for Surviving Spouse

One of the most difficult tasks for a survivor after the death of the veteran is the completion of numerous claim forms for VA survivor benefits. To help facilitate the claims process, below is a list of documents you will need to bring with you to the VA office.

1. Proof of veteran's military service (Form DD214)

2. Service serial number or Social Security Number

3. Veteran's birth certificate ( to determine parent's benefits)

4. Veteran's death certificate

5. Marriage license ( if applicable) or divorce decree

6. Children's birth certificates

7. Government life insurance policy

For further information regarding veteran's benefits such as who is eligible and what forms need to be completed, please call the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or visit their website at www.vba.va.gov.

SOURCE: www.vba.va.gov

Social Security Benefits

When a loved one dies, there are certain things you need to know about survivor's benefits. You should immediately contact the local Social Security Office and apply for survivor's benefits because in some cases, benefits may not be retroactive.

How Much Are the Benefits?

Social Security pays out a special one-time payment of $225 to a surviving spouse or eligible child or a qualifying recipient. Additional monies due will depend on the earnings of the deceased. The more he or she paid in Social Security, the higher the monthly benefits. 

Who is Eligible to Receive the Monthly Benefits?

Social Security survivor benefits can be paid to your:

1. Widow or widower- full benefits at retirement age or older, or reduced benefits as early as age 60. A disabled widow can receive as early as age 50.

2.Widow or widower- at any age if he or she is taking care of your child under the age of 16 or disabled. 

3. Unmarried children- until the age of 18. Your child can receive benefits at any age if they were disabled before the age of 22 and have not recovered from their disability. 

4. Dependent parents at the age of 62 and older.

5. Divorced Spouses- a divorced spouse is eligible to receive survivor's benefits at age 60 ( or 50 if disabled) if the marriage lasted 10 years or more. The divorced spouse is also eligible to receive benefits without meeting the length-of-marriage requirement if he or she is caring for the deceased's natural or legally adopted children under the age of 16. 

Source: Aftercare Resource Guide from Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company 2013