Organ Donation

Blood DonationJanuary is National Blood Donor Month. Nearly seven million people in the United States donate blood each year. In fact, many do so multiple times over the course of their lives. The decision about whether to do so is relatively simple. If you are healthy and want to help, and do not have Trypanophobia (fear of needles), you probably volunteer to give. But the question of organ donation is not straightforward. After all, you only get one body to use for your entire lifetime. And when it comes time to donate organs, you won’t be around to make the call. That’s why we recommend choosing whether or not you want to be an organ donor now, so your family won’t have to decide at a time when they’ll be overwhelmed and grieving over your loss. Continue reading Organ Donation

To View or Not to View, that is the Question

Open Casket ViewCOVID-19 impacts nearly everything in the world, including the funeral industry. Since March 2020, we have produced blogs about several such changes. Click here to read those posts. This week, we want to focus on the way that the Coronavirus affects a family’s decision about whether they should view the body of a loved one who died.

Wake vs. View 

After someone dies, people typically look for ways to show their respect to the family of the deceased. One way is to attend the funeral. Another is to show up for a “wake” or “viewing.” Pre-COVID-19, close family members often attended both the viewing as well as the memorial service. Continue reading To View or Not to View, that is the Question

COVID-19 & Death

COVID-19 DeathCOVID-19 emerged as a major viral player in March 2020, claiming one and a half million lives around the world. Over the past nine months, we have produced several blogs covering the subject. However, we have yet to discuss the actual morbidity rate relative to SARS-CoV-2. Therein lies the focus of this week’s post.

COVID-19 & Morbidity

COVID-19 affects people in myriad ways. In fact, infected persons report a wide range of associated symptoms ranging from the absence of any known side effect to severe illness and even, death. Continue reading COVID-19 & Death

How to Write a Thank-You Note After a Funeral

How to write a note to say thanksAs we officially enter the holiday season, now is the perfect time to focus on how to give thanks. In a previous post, we encouraged friends and family to take time to be thankful in the midst of grief. This Thanksgiving, we want to focus on another aspect of thankfulness…how to write a thank-you note when someone has helped you as you mourn.

How to Write a Sympathy Thank You Note Continue reading How to Write a Thank-You Note After a Funeral

Veteran Memorials

Veteran's Day In the midst of civil unrest, a pandemic, and election discord now is the perfect time to take a breather and focus on something upon which we can all agree. Military members deserve to be honored in life as well as in death. As we celebrate Veteran’s Day 2020, we want to thank everyone who has served. Foothill Funeral & Cremation proudly offers special memorial services for any veteran whose service meets the following parameters: Continue reading Veteran Memorials