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Karen Roldan

Karen Roldan has been in the funeral industry since 2006, and a licensed funeral director and embalmer since 2008. She is currently licensed in the states of Indiana and Pennsylvania. She attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, IL, and graduated with an associate degree in Mortuary Science. Karen enjoys wring about the funeral industry because her passion is helping families in their deepest time of need. She feels being a funeral director is a calling and she is proud to fulfill this role. Karen is a wife and the mother of four sons. She, her husband and their youngest son call Pennsylvania home.

Latest from Karen Roldan

Unique and Creative Urns

25 Urns That Don’t Look Like Urns

Choosing an urn can be a difficult decision. You have to take the “final resting place” into consideration when purchasing an urn. Are you placing the urn in the ground? A niche? Keeping it at home? If you’re keeping it at home, do you want it to look like an urn?

Plus, how large should the urn be? Are you dividing the cremated remains between family members? What material should the urn be made from?

Most importantly – what will best honor your loved one’s memory?

You may have never realized how many things you need to consider. In this list, you will see some very unique and non-traditional urns. These urns don’t look like urns – and to honor your beloved, that may be the way to go!

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How to Decorate a Grave

How to Decorate a Grave: 50 Gravesite Decorations & Tips

Personalizing your loved one’s gravesite is a wonderful way to celebrate their life. Although you are saddened by their passing, keeping their grave looking beautiful is one way to help work through your grief.

You may wonder how to decorate, what to set on the gravesite, when to change out décor, or why the cemetery may have policy is on decorating.

In this article, we will discuss all this and more. You’ll learn how to decorate a grave in a way that lasts, plus you’ll be inspired by all the creative ideas that are out there. You will also learn some tips for keeping your loved one’s grave looking fresh and beautiful.

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Words to Comfort

Words to Comfort Someone Who Lost a Loved One

What do you say to comfort someone who lost a loved one?

Our condolences.

You have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your father.

Sure, those things are appropriate to say, and even need to be said. But the mourner will hear variations of condolences and sympathy so many times that it almost loses meaning.

Today, we want to explore what the mourner is experiencing and let the reality of grief inform the words of comfort you offer.

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Best Urn Display Ideas

Urn Display Ideas at Home & At the Service

You want your loved one’s urn to be the center of attention at the service. You want it to be shown in a place of honor at home. What’s the best way to display an urn at home, and at the funeral?

You could display the urn with pictures, or perhaps flowers. Some prefer to leave the urn by itself, a minimalist display free from any distractive elements. There there are also stands and cases and frames. Then you ask yourself, what about their hobbies and interests, faith and military service?

How do you honor your loved one in the way you display the cremation urn?

Continue to read, we will be discussing these questions and more below.

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Are You Experiencing Abbreviated Grief?

Abbreviated Grief: 10 Things to Know About Short-Lived Sorrow

Your loved one has passed on, and you’ve mourned their death and have tried to honor their life.

But is it too soon? Do you feel like you haven’t wept enough?

Are you worried that you haven’t grieved properly?

There are many different kinds of grief. Today, we will be discussing abbreviated grief. Should you feel guilty if you don’t mourn for weeks, months, or years? Read on.

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The Best Checklist for Funerals

Funeral Planning Checklist (Free Printable)

As a longtime funeral director, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to have your funeral plans in order and to do your end-of-life arrangements ahead of time.

That’s why we created an informative, helpful funeral planning checklist. It’s free, and it’s printable.

Actually, we created two. One for simplicity and ease of use, and another to provide a comprehensive go-to trove of information, should you ever need it.

Our goal is to help you know and understand your options as you arrange the funeral and other services.

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10 Things You Need to Say After You Die

Letters to Loved Ones After Death: 10 Things You Need to Say

Have you ever received an “end of life letter?” Unfortunately, not everyone gets the opportunity to receive a last letter from a loved one. Have you ever thought about writing one and how it would impact someone after you are gone?

Should you write a final letter when you’re healthy and vibrant? Or should you wait until you are sick and dying? Should you write it down, record your voice, or leave a video behind?

Fortunately, if you are reading this, you probably have time to put together some final words for your loved ones. Here’s why, how, and some ideas on what to say.

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Funeral Readings

Funeral Readings: What to Say When You *Can’t Even*

What can you quote or read at a funeral that will honor your loved one and encapsulate how much they mean to you?

This is a difficult task to undertake, especially when you will be reading or reciting in front of a group of people. Your emotions are heightened; you want to say something relevant and meaningful. But what?

Take a deep breath and read on.

We have compiled a list of funeral readings for you. You are welcome to borrow one or two, combine them to make your own, or even read them verbatim.

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What to Ask for When You Die

Last Wishes: What to Ask for When You Die

Have you thought about your last wishes?

Most people are uncomfortable talking about death and dying. But, unfortunately, death is going to catch up to all of us someday. Some of us will have a warning that death is approaching, and some won’t.

With that being said, it is always best to be prepared.

Have you thought about what to ask for when you die?

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How to Plan an Open Casket Funeral

Open Casket Funeral vs Closed Casket: What You Need to Know

“Will this be an open casket funeral, or closed?” This is one question the funeral director will be sure to ask during the funeral arrangements.

As you consider how to answer, there are a few additional questions you will need to ask yourself.

Knowing the last wishes of the deceased would be ideal, but what if you don’t know? How do you decide between an open or a closed casket service?

Or perhaps you are attending a funeral, and you are concerned about what it will be like to see or be near the deceased with them visible in the casket.

Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about open casket funerals.

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How to Hire a Coffin Dancer

Coffin Dancers: Top 10 Coffin Dances & How to Hire Your Own

Whether you know them as Dancing Pallbearers, the Dancing Coffin Meme, or Coffin Dancers, they are entertaining to say the very least.

The Coffin Dancers are a true viral phenomenon that hit the bigtime with a video uploaded to YouTube in 2015. Musical funeral processions are common in some areas of the USA – especially in the New Orleans vicinity – but this one really took it to the next level.

Come on this journey to discover the history of coffin dancing, view some great videos, and find out how to hire your own. Enjoy!

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25 Best Motorcycle Urns for Bikers

25 Best Motorcycle Urns for Bikers on Their Final Ride Home

Motorcycles give people the feeling of freedom. Open the map, choose your destination, and go! The wind enfolds you even as the open road calls you further.

Motorcycles are fun to ride; there isn’t a motorcyclist that would disagree with that. The incredible adventure that comes with an open-air ride is unrivaled. 

People that ride motorcycles LOVE their bikes.

We have put together an exhaustive list of the best motorcycle urns we could find. So if you are looking for an urn, you’ve come to the right place.

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