Monthly Archives: April 2023

cremation service in Clarksville, TN

Military Funeral Flags

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 ceremony. Also known as a military burial flag, the flag is folded up after the service is 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 force divisions. Civilians can request flags, but they do come at a cost. But what do you do with the flag after the cremation service in Clarksville, TN?

Here are some unique and helpful ideas to inspire you for what you can do with your lost loved one’s military flag.

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 buying a personalized military flag case or a memorabilia and flag display 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.

Showcase your lost loved one’s military memorabilia and their funeral flag with a special display case. Such cases are perfect to exhibit awards, patches, photos, insignia, and more. You can choose a wall-mountable or standing versions of this kind of case so you can display memorabilia and the flag wherever it fits best in your home.

You can also fly the flag or display it in a homemade case. 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. 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. If your lost loved one was cremated, you can also 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.

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

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Want to Involve Your Kids in a Funeral?

Your kids deserve to participate in a service at a funeral home in Clarksville, TN as it will not only make them feel included, but it will also help them express their own grief in constructive ways. Keep reading to learn more about involving your kids in a memorial or funeral.

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

To begin, try making 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.

What about assigning them responsibilities? One sure-fire way to keep everyone happy and feeling involved is 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’s lots 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. You can also add activities for them and give them one-on-one attention. 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. 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 tofuneral home in Clarksville, TN 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 an ice cream after, or just add a bit of extra play time into your daily schedule.

We’re committed to making sure your lost loved one’s service at a Clarksville, TN funeral home is as meaningful and respectful as possible, with or without kids. Call or visit us today to learn more about what we can do for you.

cremation service in Clarksville, TN

Grief Counseling After Veteran’s Services

Grief counseling is a specific form of therapy that helps you cope with the effects of a major loss and a veteran’s service after a cremation service in Clarksville, TN.

There are many different ways you can get help and support when you’re grieving after a loss, grief counseling is just one of them. Though it comes in many different forms, it commonly involves taking through your feelings about and reactions to the loss of a loved one or any other grief-inducing event such as divorce, infertility, or an adoption falling through. The main goal of grief counseling is to give you tools to help you deal with the emotional, spiritual, physical, and social effects of grief. The counselor will help you process what has happened, identify what you are experiencing, and provide strategies that help you cope in the healthiest way possible.

As there are different kinds of grief counseling, there are different kinds of grief counselors including licensed or certified grief counselors. Licensed or certified grief counselors are mental health professionals who focus on treating individuals and families suffering from loss, whether that means a death or a divorce, loss of a job, or even the loss of a pet. Because grief comes in many different forms for many different people, there are lots of different kinds of grief counselors. Some work in group settings, others focus on private sessions. Some just listen, others give advice and actionable tools to help you move through the grieving process.

You can also get grief counseling from professional therapists. “Therapist” refers to psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors. Though they have different titles, each of these professionals are educated and certified in helping with mental and emotional problems. However, their different titles do indicate different specialties. Psychiatrists can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medicine, while psychologists are trained in talk therapy, the study of behavior, and psychological testing and analysis and therefore cannot prescribe medicine. Counselors are trained to help individuals address specific problems involving behavior and mental and emotional well-being. You can find any of these professional therapists in locations such as mental health clinics, community centers, hospitals, online practices, military facilities, and schools.

There is also pastoral counseling and support groups. Many people find comfort through their faith, making pastoral counseling an excellent choice for getting through grief. This type of counseling helps back up your faith and gives you guidance and support in grief throughcremation service in Clarksville, TN religious texts and concepts. Many people feel alone after the loss of a loved one. Support groups are excellent for making you feel less alone or if you’re uncomfortable talking to a professional in a one-on-one setting. In support groups, each member works in tandem with the others and gives instant validation from being around others who can understand on some level. Funeral homes, churches, hospitals, and community centers all usually offer support groups or recommendations.

Do you have more questions on grief counseling or on Clarksville, TN cremation services or veteran’s services? Call or visit us today to learn more about what we can do for you in your time of loss.

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Military Services and Funeral Homes

Every honorably discharged veteran is eligible for standard miliary honors, no matter which branch of the armed forces they served in, whether they died in battle, or if they lived a long life.

A veteran can earn a military honors service at a funeral home in Clarksville, TN by serving their country in an honorable way.

 

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 afterwards 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 a 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 a star-ranking officers are honored with a fired salute. In this tradition, the deceased will receive a specific number of gun salute 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.

 

How do you act at military services? These tips will help shed light on military funeral etiquette, like where to sit. Only immediate family members of the deceased 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. Keep in mind, only currentfuneral home in Clarksville, TN or former military members should salute, but all civilians should remove hats or headgear during the salute. Also, when dressing, remember that men should wear a darkly colored suit and a tie, while women should wear a dark suite, dress, or skirt and blouse. All military personnel should wear their dress uniforms. Similar to standard funerals, its best to dress as conservatively as possible out of respect for the deceased.

 

Do you want more information on military honors or Clarksville, TN funeral homes? Give us a call or pay us a visit us today.