Ryan's Blog

Funeral Planning 101

Sat, 14 Jan 2023 00:22:53 GMT

A few things you should know

when funeral planning comes to mind...

Many people decide to start talking about their funeral and "getting a few things in writing". While some feel this is a morbid task, those who choose to record their wishes are most often seen as loving and caring when the funeral arrangements are finally being made. Simply put, you will not be here to see your plans followed through, therefore it is the greatest act of love that you can leave during one of the most difficult times for your family.

There are truly two important aspects to funeral/cremation planning: Planning the information needed -&- Planning the financial needs - BOTH ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT.

Planning the information needed provides information needed for important documents as well as newspaper notices and your desired wishes for the care of your body. If you don't record this information, your family could spend days deciding on arrangements and searching for necessary documentation. Likewise, the obituary is a difficult task for grieving family members. Remembering dates, hobbies, volunteer positions, jobs held and the like are known best by you, so help your family by authoring a good biography sketch and leave it with a trusted funeral home or family member.
Planning for the financial needs and expenses can be a pleasant surprise for your family and friends. And don't just stop with the funeral expenses. Receptions, meals, travel and hotel expenses can all be addressed. Also don't forget to consider the monument or marker. You can purchase a marker and have it installed well in advance. You can even visit your small piece of real estate and think of your "mark on life".

Hood Mortuary provides complete funeral and cremation pre-planning. Our licensed professionals can walk you through the many choices and help you plan ahead for the trip we all will make.

Plan ahead! Good plans are an act of love to your family and friends!

We salute our Veterans

ryan@hoodmortuary.com (Ryan Phelps) — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 19:32:25 GMT

We salute our Veterans!

As we approach Greenmount Cemetery, the guard of 10 men and women stands at full attention, saluting and guns ready. Once the funeral coach is in position, the commander orders the guard to parade rest. The guard remains in a position of respect as I discuss the details of the committal service. Pallbearers place the casket, the order “Atten-hut” is ordered, and the guard returns to position. After a short committal, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4031 chaplain begins, “Another veteran has been called to the high command and goes to report to the commander of us all. ...”

It is a moving ceremony, capped off by a three-volley salute and the most poignant part, “Taps” is performed by a skilled bugler. The flag is respectfully folded and presented to the family, and a final salute of respect is given. I never grow tired of this ritual. The men and women of the VFW Post No. 4031, The Trujillo- Sheets American Legion, and the Southern Ute Veterans give of their time without charge and without the need for appreciation. They are called by a brother and sisterhood beyond the understanding of those of us who haven’t served. Service in the United States armed forces is the greatest honor and sacrifice a citizen can embark upon.

Our veterans are the servants who purchased the freedoms we enjoy and take for granted.

My grandpa was a pilot in World War II, a prisoner of war, and a hero. Though he narrowly escaped death, he did not revel in the honor he earned. I never met the man, he died seven days before I was born, but I bear his name, Victor. Whether the veteran served as a clerk or carried a rifle on a foreign front, these men and women are heroes! The VFW, American Legion and Southern Ute Veterans never hesitate to provide the last honors our heroes are due. I applaud these fine members of our community, for their service in the military and for their daily commitment to honoring their departed comrades.

Ryan Victor Phelps, Hood Mortuary

tears

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 18:03:09 GMT

When you cry, it hurts... but It also seems to cleans your soul

My daughter and I, as empaths, have shared moments over a sad netflix movie as we just cry together. My wife, Kristal, looks at us like, "Have you gone mad?"

Sometimes, I just need a good cry...

I cannot explain it, but maybe science can.

From health.harvard.edu :

"Not all tears are created equal. Scientists divide the liquid product of crying into three distinct categories: reflex tears, continuous tears, and emotional tears. The first two categories perform the important function of removing debris such as smoke and dust from our eyes, and lubricating our eyes to help protect them from infection. Their content is 98% water.It’s the third category, emotional tears (which flush stress hormones and other toxins out of our system), that potentially offers the most health benefits. Researchers have established that crying releases oxytocin and endogenous opioids, also known as endorphins. These feel-good chemicals help ease both physical and emotional pain. Popular culture, for its part, has always known the value of a good cry as a way to feel better — and maybe even to experience physical pleasure. The millions of people who watched classic tearjerker films such as West Side Story or Titanic (among others) will likely attest to that fact."

I have literally cried this week as I thought about circumstances in my life and career that were painful and sad. When I was done shedding the tears, I felt clean of my burden... Like my eyes were now clear to see, even though blurred by the reservoir of feelings that still could flood out of my heart. I now feel released of the burden of the emotional bondage, though more attached to the emotion that caused the flood gates to open.

Sometimes I just need a good cry...

While I cant argue with science, nor can I explain the reasons behind our emotional attachment to other human beings, I know what I feel. My tears represent the connection that we all feel together. My tears tap into our soul. As I cry with my friends, family, co-workers and acquaintances, I connect to them with an attachment that no one can break.

As you are grieving, a few shed tears cannot free you. The tears will come often and unexpected... often, unrelenting. Don't hold them in! I often tell my clients, "you have a 'get out of jail free' card. You are allowed emotional outbursts with the simple explanation that your have suffered a loss."

While you don't hold a splinter in your finger, you shouldn't hold back your tears. Tears purge your soul and help you move forward... Not move on... Just to live, and love, and grow.

Sometimes I just need a good cry...

Stories of Love and a Life of Service

Sun, 30 Oct 2022 20:17:17 GMT

Thoughts from a funeral director of 28 years...

Yes. I have been in this industry since October of 1994. This month marks my 28th year in the death care industry. Looking back, I never would have thought that I would be the old guy at the funeral home! I tell stories of my experiences to the staff. They listen, attempting politeness, as I yammer on about some difficult circumstance, joyous celebration, or extreme sadness. I feel my experiences have made me a more well rounded, better person but, they have shaped me into the absolute best director and death care professional on earth.

You may say, "Wow, that's sure prideful!" and you'd be correct. I care for the families I serve with a passion that most professionals simply don't have. This career requires extreme dedication. Late night, multiple hour trips to a families home and extreme lifting challenges demand 24 hour attention and then, we are required to don a suit and greet our clients without a hint of fatigue the next day. Again, I am really bragging as I feel I have performed the rigorous tasks caring for this community with grace and love!

Now I am yammering on and on to you, the reader. The point of this first blog post is to introduce myself to any readers who may not know me and inform you of my qualifications and intense passion for serving others at one of the most difficult times in their lives - the passing of a loved one. I feel that I have vast experience that should be shared with others who may one day experience a death, and need to prepare themselves for that eventuality.

I also want to introduce our new website ! It is more user friendly, mobile friendly and all together wonderful. The online obituaries allow many forms of expression and extensibility including links, floral orders and many types of uploads. Simply put, it is a portal in this digital world, to allow you to express love to a family that is experiencing a loss. In addition, you can read about the history of the Amy Mansion and Hood Mortuary , view photos of the facilities , read up on grieving resources , and so much more. I will also try to make occasional informational blog posts for the community to read. I will share stories from my career, post informational articles and more. I would like you to know, this is not going to be canned plagiarism. These stories and posts will be typed line by line by me; they are not intended for self promotion, just way to serve my community that I love.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my first blog post - More to come!