Funerals are somber events, especially those for veterans of our armed forces, leaving many people feeling worse afterwards instead of better. Celebrations of life, on the other hand, are happier occasions in which people celebrate life. Many people choose to hold a celebration of life in order to celebrate their lost loved one’s life rather than mourn their loss. Therefore, many funeral homes in Clarksville, TN offer celebration of life services.

A celebration of life, as the name denotes a celebration, so guests should expect a joyful event. These services are often more like parties than funerals, commemorating the deceased’s life. Funerals are generally more subdued events at which people speak in hushed tones and have subdued manners. Celebrations of life are usually more casual with the emphasis on the positives of the person’s life rather than the sadness of their passing. Think of a celebration of life as a more upbeat memorial service.

The choice to have a celebration of life instead of a funeral is usually at the behest of the deceased but can also be based on the bereaved’s personality. If you’re looking for inspiration for a celebration of life, you can:

• make a playlist of the deceased’s favorite music or songs to play at the event
• display some of the deceased’s prized possessions like collections, photos, or even clothing
• encourage guests to share funny and happy memories as well as poignant ones.
• ask friends and family to share their happy memories
• have people bring photos and mementos
• make a memory box or book and ask guests to write comments, memories, or leave mementos
• play a video or slide show of photos and video clips of the deceased

Celebrations of life are most commonly held at someone’s home, a garden, park, or a rented venue, unlike funerals that are held at funeral homes and churches. However, many funeral homes are starting to offer celebration of life services.

Similar to memorial services, these events are held after the cremation or burial, while some choose to hold them a year after the death as an anniversary commemoration. There really are no hard and fast rules about what celebrations of life should be. They can be whatever the bereaved and the deceased want them to be. Since celebrations of life are unlike funerals, they require different attire other than funerals. Generally, the bereaved ask celebration of life guests to wear more casual, bright or upbeat clothing to mark the happier tone of the occasion. Guests can also send flowers to bring color and life to the event, or to honor an aspect of the deceased’s life such as colors of a favorite sports team or an alma mater.

Sykes Funeral Home & Crematory is a Clarksville, TN funeral home with a range of veteran services and more. We can help you plan a service for your lost loved one. Call or visit us today to learn more. No matter what you plan for your lost loved one’s celebration of life it should be positive and a chance to remember the best of the deceased’s life.

Lots of people are looking to make better choices when it comes to protecting the environment, many funeral homes in Clarksville, TN offer green burials that aim to have a less negative impact, especially for military services. After all, if a military servicemember worked hard to protect their country, wouldn’t they also want to protect the planet?

A green burial sometimes referred to as natural burial, is a kind of burial that seeks to have an as little negative impact on the environment as possible. In order for a burial to be labeled green, a burial must take the following into consideration: conservation of natural resources, protection of industry workers’ health, preservation of the environment. They help protect the environment, industry workers, and natural resources with things like green cemeteries.

By choosing a green burial you are choosing to lessen your personal environmental impact or carbon footprint. Other people might choose to do a green burial because they view it as a return to the traditional way of body disposition from back before the commercialization of the funeral industry. Still, others choose green burials because they follow certain religious traditions. Judaism, for example, requires burial traditions that are in line with green burial practices. There are others that are beginning to worry about the impact humanity is having on the planet and are therefore looking into ways they can do their part to protect the environment

There are green cemeteries, sometimes called natural burial grounds, that require all bodies be buried in green caskets or burial shrouds. They have these policies in place to help maintain the surrounding natural habitat and landscape, protect local groundwater, and maintain a safe environment for local plants and animals. Conventional cemeteries, on the other hand, often use herbicides to maintain the landscaping, outer burial containers that prevent natural decomposition and allow embalmed bodies to be buried.

Green burials also don’t have embalming. Embalming is when a body is partially preserved using harsh chemicals. Embalming is harmful for both the planet and industry workers. Embalming fluid contains known carcinogens, making it unsafe for the industry workers that are frequently exposed to it. These chemicals can also harm fragile ecosystems when buried in the ground.

Green caskets, unlike conventional caskets, are made from sustainably sourced materials used in sustainable production methods. Also, green caskets are completely biodegradable, meaning that they will decompose fully and won’t add toxins to the surrounding soil as they decompose. Conventional caskets, on the other hand, usually take a very long time to decompose if they decompose at all. Plus, many are made with potentially toxic materials and chemicals that can hard the surrounding soil. There are also green casket companies that are considered “fair trade”, meaning the people making the caskets are employed in safe environments and receive a fair wage for their work.

Sykes Funeral Home & Crematory is a Clarksville, TN funeral home. Stop by or visit us today to learn more about green burials, military services, and what we can do for you in your time of loss. We are here to help in any way we can.

There is a lot to do after someone dies, including planning a funeral at a funeral home in Clarksville, TN, especially if that person was a veteran. This to-do list also includes notifying organizations, people, and businesses of the death, as credit cards, utilities, government programs, and other institutions need to know when someone dies.

Use this list to help make sure you don’t miss any important institutions or people when notifying after a death:

1.Employer – Contact the deceased’s employer to notify them of the death and to learn about any applicable death benefits, retirement funds, or life insurance. Have a copy of the death certificate ready when you call.

2.Taxes – Death doesn’t mean the deceased doesn’t have to pay taxes for that year. A survivor will have to file the deceased’s taxes or will have to hire an accountant to do it for them.

3.Credit Reporting Agencies – These agencies are usually notified of a death by the estate executor or the Social Security Administration. It’s important that credit reporting agencies are notified so they can put a lock on the deceased’s credit report file in order to prevent someone from using it fraudulently.

4.Insurance – Notify all the insurance companies with which the deceased had policies. Each company will have specific steps you will need to follow.

5.Social Security Administration – Luckily, Social Security will be notified automatically when you file the death certificate.

6.Retirement Fund or Pension – Be ready with the deceased’s Social Security number, identification number, date of birth and date of death, along with a death certificate when you call to notify the fund. Don’t forget to ask if a surviving spouse is eligible for continued benefits.

7.Medicare and Medicaid – Similar to the SSA, these organizations will be notified automatically.

8.Banks – Most banks will need a copy of the death certificate to close accounts. However, it takes a lot longer than you would think to close bank accounts after a death, so don’t rely on money from a closed account to pay for a funeral or cremation.

9.Loans and Credit Cards – The Credit Card Act of 2009 mandates that all credit card companies respond to final bill requests in a timely manner and prohibits them from charging late fees during the processing time. Payback loans from the deceased’s estate.

Be sure to cancel subscriptions like gym, magazines, clubs, online content, and others as well. This is especially true if the subscription payments are paid automatically every month as you don’t want the deceased’s bank account to be overdrawn. Don’t forget to cancel all utilities and bills. Cancel or change the name on all utility accounts, depending on if the deceased lived alone or not. Call the electricity, gas, telephone, and internet providers to make the necessary account changes. You will need a death certificate as proof.

Sykes Funeral Home & Crematory can offer more information on our Walnut Creek, CA funeral home and veteran’s services. Call today to learn more about what we can do for you.

According to tradition it is the next of kin that makes arrangements for military services at funeral homes in Clarksville, TN. However, sometimes people wish to designate other people besides their next of kin to oversee their funeral planning after they’re gone, and that’s OK.

Everyone has a right to choose their final wishes for once they’re gone, and these choices include who gets to plan and make important decisions. But how do you designate other people besides the next of kin?

According to state law, all instructions for last wishes must meet certain requirements in order for them to considered legal and binding. These requirements include:

• Signature of the decedent
• Acknowledgement of the decedent signature, meaning getting the document notarized
• Signature of the agent or successor agreeing to act as the decedent’s agent after death

Whether you want to designate a close friend, an estate executor, or even one of your children, it is possible to choose who arranges your funeral service. Any modifications to a document must be in writing and also notarized in to make them valid.

While these requirements seem like a lot, its actually easier than you think to meet them as many states have specific forms for people to leave final instructions and to designate someone other than their next of kind to make final arrangements. However, it’s important to remember that these forms do not trump or replace a Power of Attorney or a legal will, as they are only there to provide end of life instructions. Again, any and all written instructions, from a Power of Attorney to an end-of-life form, must be signed by both parties before the death.

There are a few other important next of kin topics. Start with these tips, and follow up with an attorney for more information and guidance:

• Non-Traditional Relationships – Nontraditional relationships, like common law marriages, same sex relationships, or even families with lots of children often require additional steps and paperwork. Do research if you think this applies to your situation to make sure you’re covered.
• Consult a Lawyer – It’s always a good idea to consult an attorney before making any official plans as they can best advise you on how to proceed.
• Do Your Own Research – Understanding how your state handles end of life arrangements and associated legal matters is very important. Do some research of your own to make sure you understand.
• Make and Distribute Copies – Don’t just fill out the forms and forget about them. Make and give out copies to important people like those named in the document or caregivers.
• Be Specific – Be specific in your end-of-life instructions. Include information such as the type of disposition you want as clearly as possible.

Sykes Funeral Home & Crematory is here to help if you want more information on Clarksville, TN funeral homes or military services. After all, you have every right to designate whomever you want to arrange your funeral service but be sure to do it correctly to make sure your wishes are followed.

What is a coffin? What is a casket? Are there any differences between the two? If you’re asking these questions, you’re not alone. If you’ve watched a movie or a TV show, you’ve probably heard the term “coffin.” But what about “caskets”? Many people researching veteran’s services and funeral homes in Clarksville, TN want to know the differences, if any, between caskets and coffins.

The main differences begin in the details. Both coffins and caskets are burial containers used to hold remains of a deceased person for a funeral, wake, visitation and final disposition. In the United States most people use the more modern casket, but the choice between the two is ultimately the family’s or the deceased’s depending on final wishes and plans. Coffins also do not have hinged lids. Instead, they have removable lids that must be fully lifted. Unlike caskets, coffins have six sides and are wider on the top than on the bottom.

This tapered design was chosen to match the shape of the body as shoulders are wider than feet. The vast majority of coffins are made out of wood and are also finished with cloth interior linings, but they do not have exterior handles for carrying. In fact, any additional decoration or handles are not considered part of the coffin but are instead called “coffin furniture.” Traditionally coffin furniture is used to display the deceased’s wealth or status. The other big difference between caskets and coffins is price.

Caskets are generally more expensive as they have more decoration and use more elaborate materials. Coffins, on the other hand, require less material as the tapered shape uses less wood and thus lowers the overall price. A casket is a special box made to hold the remains of a deceased person. These boxes are made in rectangular shapes with four sides and hinged lids. Caskets also usually have handles that make them easier to life and move and can be used for both cremations and burials depending on the material. Caskets can be made from a variety of materials, but the two most common are wood and metal.

The average metal casket is made from stainless steel and the average wood from mahogany or oak. Most caskets are finished with soft interior linings to give the deceased a comfortable place to rest. It is important to note that it may be hard to find a coffin manufacturer as they are not in style and not as popular.  At the end of the day, the differences between caskets and coffins don’t matter even though they are very similar.

Sykes Funeral Home & Crematory is a Clarksville, TN funeral home that specializes in veteran’s services. We can offer you additional information on caskets, coffins, and other funeral services to help you plan a service that will honor and remember your lost veteran. Call today to learn more about what we can do for you in your time of loss. We are proud to be able to help you in any way we can.

Though cremation services are becoming more and more popular all across the country when it comes to veteran’s services there are still many families that choose traditional burials over cremation. A large number of funeral homes in Clarksville, TN offer both traditional burial and cremation services. Do you know which one you want for your lost veteran?

As other’s experiences may help you choose what’s right for you and your lost loved one, there are some common reasons why people choose traditional burial and veteran’s services. First, many families have been burying lost family members in the same cemetery for generations, so it’s important for them to continue this long-standing family tradition. For many people, holding onto this burial tradition is comforting in a time of loss and is an important part of their family history.

There are also many religions that dictate burial over cremation even though other religions have come around to the idea of cremation over burial. Many branches of Christianity and Catholicism allow for cremation, but there are still many religions that hold firm in their beliefs that burial is the only way to go. For example, the Jewish faith does not condone cremation. If it’s important for you and your family to maintain religious traditions, then you should absolutely choose burial. There are also a lot of myths surrounding cremation, from having ashes given to the wrong person to a lack of dignity. These myths might deter people from choosing cremation and have them choose burial instead.

Even though these myths are mostly not based in fact, it’s perfectly OK for people to choose burial if they prefer or if it makes them more comfortable. If it’s your personal preference to choose burial, then that’s what you should do. On average, cremations cost less than burials. This lowered cost is one of the main reasons why people are choosing cremation over burial. However, there are those that don’t mind the extra cost because burial is important to them and their family. Not everyone is concerned about cost when it comes to putting a loved one to rest. If you are ready to spend more money on a burial to honor your lost loved one or a family tradition than you should do so without any guilt.

Sometimes the deceased leaves clear instructions for his or her final disposition. If the deceased wanted to be buried, then you should follow his or her wishes. However, at the end of the day, choosing a burial or a cremation all depends on what’s important to you and your family. There is nothing wrong with choosing a burial just as there is nothing wrong with choosing a cremation.

Do you want to learn more about burial, cremation or Clarksville, TN funeral homes? Sykes Funeral Home & Crematory is here to help. Please stop by and visit us or give us a call for more information on what we can do for you in your time of loss.

From a traditional military service at a funeral home in Clarksville, TN to non-traditional services, everyone that faces the loss of a military servicemember will also deal with a long and difficult journey to healing. Many bereaved ask themselves questions about the loss during this time of grief and mourning.

These questions usually fall into two categories: Why and How. “Why did this happen to us?” “Why did God let something like this happen?” “How will I start to feel better?” “How do I find the positive in this loss?” Everyone can find themselves asking different questions, as everyone responds to grief differently. Have compassion and understanding with yourself as you grieve, and don’t try to overthink what you’re going through.

Most importantly, talk about your feelings and experiences either with a loved one or a professional. After all, if you’re asking yourself these or similar questions, you are definitely not alone.

• Why Don’t I Feel Better Yet? Losing someone you love isn’t like breaking a leg or spraining your wrist. There is no set amount of time that it will take your loss to heal. Let yourself grieve as long as you need to. You will start to feel better over time as you slowly reach healing milestones. Celebrate your small victories as you heal.
• What Should I Do if I Feel Like I’ll Never Get Over the Loss? Death and loss aren’t something one should try to overcome, especially since death and loss aren’t things that anyone can fix. Instead of trying to fix the grief, learn to live with it. It will adapt as you grow, and you will slowly begin to move forward.
• How Can I Tell My Doctor That I Don’t Want Medication? Communication is key with your health professional, especially when it comes to mental health. It’s vital that you communicate with your doctor if you don’t want to take medication, as then he or she can come up with a different plan to help you.
• Why Aren’t My Friends Supporting Me? Many people don’t know how to help someone that is grieving, as it’s such a personal thing to deal with. Your friends, coworkers, or even family simply might not know how to relate to what you’re going through, or they might be afraid of offending you. Tell them how you feel, and what they can do to better support you.
• What’s Wrong with Me? If you feel like your grief is different or weird, don’t worry. Nothing is wrong with you. We all grieve in different ways. You might be grieving differently that someone that is facing the exact same loss as you, and that’s OK. Even if it feels like no one can understand you, try talking about your feelings.

Sykes Funeral Home & Crematory is here to help if you want to learn more about dealing with grief, the loss of a military servicemember, or Clarksville, TN funeral homes. Please stop by and visit us or give us a call today.

Music is a powerful tool that can evoke emotion and mood. That’s why almost every funeral at a funeral home in Clarksville, TN has music. There are many different kinds of funeral home songs out there, from traditional to modern and everything in between.

There are an amazing number of options when it comes to funeral songs. So how do you choose the songs for your loved one’s funeral? You can choose the music by getting inspired with common and popular funeral song choices. There are tons of options out there, from common to more unique. Here are some that might inspire you. This list includes country, modern, classic and traditional options:

1. See You Again by Wiz Khalifa & Charlie Puth
2. Only One by Kanye West and performed by Kanye West and Paul McCartney
3. Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran
4. In the Arms of an Angel by Sarah McLachlan
5. When I Get Where I’m Going by Brad Paisley
6. If You’re Reading This by Tim McGraw
7. One More Day by Diamond Rio
8. Lay Me Down by Sam Smith
9. Hear You Me by Jimmy Eat World
10. How Long Will I Love You by Ellie Goulding
11. Last Kiss by Pearl Jam
12. Broken Halos by Chris Stapleton
13. Drink a Beer by Luke Bryan
14. Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley (there are many other iterations by other artists)
15. Let It Be by The Beatles
16. Who You’d Be Today by Kenny Chesney
17. What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
18. Hero by Mariah Carey
19. You Should Be Here by Cole Swindell
20. Over You by Miranda Lambert
21. Fix You by Coldplay

You should also take some time to think about what kind of music the deceased would have enjoyed, as the point of the funeral is to celebrate his or her life. However, you can also get inspired by music that the funeral guests will enjoy, too. You can even try playing a few different kinds of music to try and meet everyone’s tastes and preferences, though you shouldn’t stress about meeting everyone’s tastes as that’s almost impossible to accomplish.

You also need to choose songs that go along with your plan for the funeral. Think about if you want songs that speak about death and spending eternity in heaven, or songs that remind you of certain qualities and characteristics of the deceased. You can also look for songs that allow for reflection over fond memories or ones that your lost loved one enjoyed.

All music can evoke powerful emotions and memories, so go with your heart when making the decision. Choosing the kind of music, you want to play at your lost loved one’s funeral is a very personal experience, so there is no right or wrong answer. Sykes Funeral Home & Crematory is here to help if you would like to learn more about your options for Clarksville, TN funeral homes or funeral music. Stop by and visit us or give us a call today, as we are happy to assist you in your time of loss.

Flowers have always been a part of the funeral home tradition in Clarksville, TN and beyond. Bringing flowers as a gift for the bereaved is very common, especially when it comes to military funeral services.

But what kind of flowers are you supposed to bring to a funeral? To begin, it’s a good idea to learn more about the different kinds of traditional funeral flowers so you can put a bit of thought into your purchase, as each one represents or means something different. Roses, for example, have a lot of different meanings depending on their color. Pink roses are all about grace, friendly love and appreciation while red roses are for romantic love, courage and respect. Yellow roses, on the other hand, are for friendship. There are tons more to choose from.

Carnations are a common funeral flower because, like roses, they mean different things based on color. Red carnations mean affection, pink remembrance and white innocence. Orchids signify lasting, eternal love as they live for much longer than the average potted flower. Lilies, on the other hand, are the most traditional funeral flower as the signify innocence and peace. Many people believe that lilies help give peace to the soul of the deceased.

Chrysanthemums, or mums, are the exclusive funeral flower in Europe and many parts of Asia as they are believed to represent grief and truth while also the uplifting celebration of the deceased’s life. Looking for something more light and cheerful? Choose tulips or daffodils as both of these sunny spring flowers represent fresh starts and renewals. They are usually sent to bring cheer to someone in grief. Yellow tulips signify cheerfulness while white tulips signify forgiveness.

Finally, while hydrangeas don’t have a known meaning or representation, they are an incredibly beautiful and popular funeral flower. Some people like to think of them as a flower of thanks or understanding as they are easy to maintain and bloom for many years when cared for well.

These are just a few of the many different kinds of funeral flowers you can bring to military services at a funeral home. Use your heart when choosing which type you want to bring, as its really the thought that counts. No matter which you choose, the bereaved will greatly appreciate the sentiment.

After all, they’re going through a loss and will be busy dealing with the ins and outs of the funeral. However, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t put thought or effort into the flowers, especially since it’s the thought that really counts in these kinds of situations. Bringing flowers shows that you care, and that you are thinking about the bereaved in their difficult time.

Sykes Funeral Home & Crematory is here to help if you need more guidance on which funeral flowers you should bring to a Clarksville, TN funeral home for a military service. You can stop by and visit us or give us a call to learn more about what we can do for you in your time of loss. After all, your lost military service member deserves the best.

Many funeral directors are choosing to implement pet therapy programs in funeral homes in Clarksville, TN and the rest of the country. In some cases, grief-therapy dogs even attend funerals. But what is pet therapy? And how do these animals, like dogs and cats, help people cope with loss and grief? Keep reading to learn more about this new funeral trend that is helpful and almost always very adorable.

Pet therapy programs were first initiated in the 1980s and involved volunteers bringing their pets to schools, hospitals and care homes for interaction with children and patients. There are pet therapy programs all around the world now, but it’s been only recent that funeral directors have begun using pet therapy in their funeral homes to help patrons deal with grief and loss. Grief therapy dogs first started popping up in the United States in the last few years. These dogs are usually owned by the funeral director and are brought to funerals and memorial services when requested by the bereaved.

Pet therapy has been used in schools, hospitals, care homes and universities all around the world. Pet therapy, often referred to as animal assisted therapy or AAT, is when a trained animal interacts with a human with a specific mood or cognitive goal in mind. The animals, most often dogs, cats, lambs, and Shetland ponies, are thoroughly trained and are usually accompanied by a handler. These therapy animals are chosen for their positions based on friendly and calm personalities as well as comfort interacting with strangers. There are even famous therapy pets, such as Norbert, an American therapy dog.

There are also new businesses and volunteer programs in which services will bring dogs to funerals when requested. A grief therapy dog’s main job is to be a calming presence at the funeral. They are especially helpful in calming and distracting children that may not have ever been to a funeral before or may be afraid of the proceedings. Grief therapy dogs can also support the bereaved through hugs, snuggles and even calming walks when things get hard.

Grief therapy pets, like dogs, are only allowed to attend funerals when specifically requested. There are always signs posted when a dog is in attendance at a service to warn guests that might have allergies or might be afraid of dogs. If you are considering having a grief pet at a funeral, think about the guests. If there are many attendees that would be distressed by a dog, it’s not an appropriate choice. However, if many guests would be helped by the dog, it is a worthwhile investment.

Sykes Funeral Home & Crematory is here to help if you are interested in learning more about pet therapy or about your options for Clarksville, TN funeral homes. We offer a range of funeral home services. Please stop by and visit us or give us a call to learn more about what we can do for you in your time of loss.