Blog

A Look at the History of Funerals

I have only been in the funeral profession for a short time so I am continuously learning from the funeral professionals at our funeral homes.  The customs of today are very different from the customs of long ago as well as the not so distant past. It wasn’t more than...

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What to expect when a loved one dies

The need to arrange a funeral is not an everyday occurrence for the average person.  There are many people who have never encountered a death and had the necessity to organize a funeral.  Which brings up the question – “What happens after my loved one dies?”  This can...

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Thoughts on Funeral Etiquette

Our reactions to funerals vary from person to person.  Often, people are uncomfortable and unsure of what to say, how to act and what to wear.  There are so many variables that go into what is appropriate for funeral/ memorial service etiquette.  Traditions in the...

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What is a funeral?

After a death has occurred there are many ways to honor the life that person lived.  What is important to remember is that participating in the final goodbye is acknowledging that there is a place in this world that the person filled and no one else can fill that...

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Celebrating the Life You Lived

The other day a new friend commented that they thought it would be sad to work at a funeral home.  I said that while it is true that it is sad when someone dies, it is also true that we celebrate lives.  Yes, we mourn their death, but we are all so much more than our...

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Thoughts on Grief

“Grief never ends… but it changes.  It is a passage, not a place to stay.  Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith… it is the price of love.” – Author Unknown We have all experienced grief in one way or another and it is very different for each person....

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It didn’t have to be so hard

Fifteen years ago my mother died.  She had been sick for about 9 months, but we weren’t prepared - in any way.  I knew she was miserable on a good day, she had a DNR (do not resuscitate) and she was in and out of the hospital so many times.  I was living in Wheeling...

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Altmeyer Funeral Home’s inaugural blog message

The Ohio Valley is steeped in history and tradition and Altmeyer Funeral Home has been part of that history and tradition for more than 100 years.  Families who are celebrating the life of their loved ones continue to call upon us as they have for decades because they...

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