Ask Barb - Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers

Last night I had dinner with some close friends.  They’ve been married for over twenty years but have never had children.  In their place, they have raised a wide variety of cats.  Much like a household of toddlers there are toys all over the floor and a play tower in the corner of the room.

Ann and her Jules are planning to relocate back to the Midwest and we were having a great conversation about packing, decorating, and finding a new vet.  To them, that was like finding a new school for their kids.  All the sudden Ann’s eyes began to tear up.  I thought it was relating to the house.  Suddenly I realized it was because she was leaving one of hr children’s graves in the back yard.

We talked for a few minutes and I thought I had the perfect solution for her.  Our company has a pet cemetery and I was sure that another local company would too.  We hit the Internet and the local phone book but our search turned up nothing.  I left last night feeling like I had let a dear friends down.  So if you live in the Delaware area and know of a pet cemetery where Shimmy could find a final home send me a note.  To the other pet parents out there, check out your little ones options ahead of time.  Cemeteries are a place of respect and traditionally will always have their doors open to you, even if you move.

I’m traveling this week and met a wonderful gentleman at my parent senior community.

After a great lunch, my father explained what I did for a living.  Jim was excited to hear that I was involved in the cemetery and funeral industry.  As you might guess, I don’t hear that a lot.  We talked about a variety of his concerns and then the conversation turned to what he needed my help with.

Jim had heard that as a veteran he has special final expense government benefits.  He had tried to locate his old service records but they had been lost through several moves.  He later admitted that his wife kept “those kinds of papers” in order and she had died a few years back.  So we started our search.

I suggested he check with the  local VA.  Jim discovered that there had been a fire many years ago and some of the records he wanted had been destroyed.  His second stop was the VA from the state where he enlisted. Again he was told the records had been destroyed by fire.  We called his state Senator and they promised to research  his service records.  We’re still waiting but I have faith a copy of his military service will be found some where.

I’m sharing this information with you to help everyone to plan a head.  It’s easy to lose paperwork through moves or just bad filing.  The reality is that when death occurs certain paperwork can become very important.  Veterans have earned special benefit but they may not receive them without the right documentation. 

 Women who have been married more than once can experience insurance issues due to multiple name changes. A simple key stroke can cause chaos. Take the time now to get your house in order!  Review the social security recaps that come to your home.  Track down your military and marriage records before it’s too late.  It can mean thousands of dollars to a surviving family when the death occurs. You know the path you took.  You retracing your steps is easier than following bread crumbs years later.

If you need a list of-the documents you should have download our planning guide from this website or email me with you contact information. 

 Have you lost important paperwork?  Let us know what it was an how you resolved it.  We’re listening and maybe it will help someone else.

My sister died at a very young age and I have always worried I’d forget the subtle things that made her extra special to me.  My parents preserved her memory through still photographs stored safely away in a photo album on the shelf.  Some of those photos now show their age as I do but they are still very precious to me as I share them with my daughter and grand daughter.

Families today can preserve so many additional memories.  There are a lot of ways to record a friends voice which preserves their laughter, humor, frustration and passion. 

Video recording can preserve their physical movements from a simple walk to ballroom dancing. 

So I’m curious, what you would want preserved for generations to come.  What would you want to make sure was hidden for eternity.  Would you want someone to review your Facebook page, see a downloaded image from their cell phone.  I have dimples and love to dance ….that’s the essence I want to live on.  What about you?