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Can a Family Request Patriot Guard Riders?

Thu, 04 May 2023 16:42:05 GMT

Can a Family Request Patriot Guard Riders?

In 2005, an organization called the Patriot Guard Riders was founded. Their mission was simple: In an era of political division, they wanted to ensure that military families could mourn their lost service members - privately, peacefully, and without being disrupted by protesters.

The Patriot Guard Riders are a group of individuals who will surround a military funeral, and specifically the procession, by forming a kind of human shield. The Riders take to motorcycles, cars, and trucks, and provide coverage around the mourners, ensuring their time of reflection and bereavement can proceed without interruption.

Even if you don’t think there will be any trouble at your loved one’s funeral service, having the Riders on hand to show solidarity and respect can be a meaningful gesture. Families can request the Patriot Guard Riders show up; the best place to start is by going to www.patriotguard.com and selecting the option to Request the PGR.

In addition to supplying your contact information, you will also be asked if you need the Riders for an Honor Mission or a HOTH (Help on the Homefront) Mission. The former is for heroes who have died. The latter is for events meant to celebrate heroes still living - e.g., parades, etc.

Also note that, in cases of a deceased service member, you will need to supply the Riders with the corresponding serial number, simply verifying that your loved one has died.

Not every military funeral service needs the Riders to be present, but it’s an option that’s good to know about. If you have any additional questions about coordinating the presence of the Patriot Guard Riders, contact your funeral director and ask!

5 Things Everyone Should Know About Planning a Funeral

Wed, 03 May 2023 16:46:27 GMT

5 Things Everyone Should Know About Planning A Funeral

Planning a funeral for yourself or for a loved one requires organization in the midst of grief and sadness. Consult these guidelines on the most important elements of funeral planning that you and your loved ones should know.

Prearranging provides you or your loved one with the opportunity to become informed about the plethora of options regarding the funeral or cremation service.

No two services are alike, and individuals can choose to showcase videos, photographs, music, special readings or any other involved elements with family and friends.

Prearranging ensures that you document your wishes.

A living will may cover medical treatment, but there are still funeral costs. You can remove some of the burden for someone making decisions who may not be aware of your wishes.

Prepaying ahead of time eases future financial burden.

It may benefit your surviving loved ones to prepay for your funeral or cremation services, as the costs of the products and services you choose may never be lower. Prearranging makes financial sense. We have many choices for payment plans.

Begin the process by writing down your personal information or your loved one's information.

Write down important information to keep on hand as you plan the service, like social security number, ethnicity, religion, residence, birth information and so on. Having this information is helpful throughout the funeral planning process.

Selecting individuals to be a part of the funeral service in advance takes away some of the emotional burden.

You are able to select readers, performers and other individuals to be a part of the service in advance.

Items of Remembrance to Share After a Loss

Tue, 02 May 2023 16:53:46 GMT

Items of Remembrance to Share After a Loss

Honoring the deceased can come in many forms. During a wake or other commemorative service, guests may be presented with items of remembrance to honor the deceased. These items may take many different shapes or forms, but what they all have in common is that they are reminders of the loved one who has passed.

Books of Remembrance

This is a book that is set in a common area, typically during a wake or vigil service. Guests who have come to pay their respects to the deceased and the grieving family may sign in and write messages, memories, or poems to commemorate the deceased.

Memorial Cards

Memorial cards are a small but lasting tribute to the person who has passed. They are credit card sized items that typically have a meaningful photo and words printed on them. These cards serve as a tangible memory of the loved one. They are a convenient source of familiarity and comfort for family or friends who are mourning their loss. They are typically laminated and are included in thank you notes that the grieving family might send to those who could not attend the funeral, calling hours, wake, or vigil.

Prayer Cards

As part of Catholic tradition, prayer cards, or holy cards, are small cards with devotional pictures. They generally illustrate a religious scene or saint. There is a prayer printed on the back of the card. This is done so that the cardholder can recite the prayer and better cope with the loss of their loved one. Giving out these cards to guests is a common practice and part of the culture of Roman Catholicism.

Personalized Tokens

Many other items of a more personal nature can be considered, like give aways or little knick-knacks. These may reference a hobby or skill that your loved one expressed great interest in.

When preparing to celebrate and remember the life of a loved one, consider these tokens that you may present to those who have come to the funeral or wake services. In doing so, you can offer support and comfort to all who are grieving and give guests a tangible way to remember and honor the person who has passed.