When someone you care about is grieving, it is not always easy to know exactly what to say to be supportive. If you are worried about how to best express your love and support when you attend funeral services or otherwise spend time with your grieving friend, watch this video for advice.

When someone is grieving, try to avoid saying that you know how he or she feels, because everyone experiences grief differently. Resist the urge to reference religion, spirituality, or point out positives by saying, “at least,” because these things can minimize the grief he or she is feeling. If your friend is struggling to cope, consider recommending grief counseling.

Valley of the Temples Memorial Park supports grieving families at our funeral home near Oahu, HI, with complete funeral and cemetery services and funeral planning assistance. When you need our services, please call our funeral home at (808) 239-8811.

Although it may seem like a tough topic to face, pre-planning funeral services can be enormously beneficial to your family. If you’re considering contacting a funeral home to explore the option of pre-planning your funeral, here are the answers to some of the questions that are likely to be on your mind.

Why should I pre-plan my funeral?
Planning funeral services after a loved one’s death can be very difficult for family members. At the same time that they are coping with the enormity of their loss, they have to make major decisions about the funeral service, burial, or cremation quickly. This burden can lead to worries about whether they are appropriately honoring their loved ones wishes and concerns about the financial burden of the funeral. When you make a plan for your own funeral service, your loved ones can simply ask the funeral home to follow your instructions so that they can focus on supporting each other, confident in the knowledge that all of your wishes are being honored. If you decide to pre-pay for some or all of your funeral, this also alleviates the financial concerns.

What decisions will I need to make?
When you are planning your funeral, you can make decisions about the type of service you would like, whether you prefer cremation or burial, where you would like to be buried, or how you would like your family to handle your cremains after cremation. You can also opt to add details, such as who you would like to serve as pallbearers and what readings and music you would like to include. In short, you can make your plans as general or as detailed as you see fit.

How do I get started?
Start by talking to a funeral home, who can guide you through the process and talk to you about your options. It can be helpful to involve family members as well, so they understand your wishes. If you choose to plan without assistance from your family, ensure that they know that you have made the plans so they can use them appropriately when you pass.

Valley of the Temples Memorial Park can assist you with funeral pre-planning in Oahu, HI, and help your family honor your plan when the time comes. To start the planning process, call our funeral home at (808) 239-8811.

Valley of the Temples offers multiple burial options in our memorial park, from our cremation garden to above-ground entombment. If you are considering picking above-ground entombment for a loved one or for yourself as you plan your own funeral, here is what you need to know.

What is above-ground entombment?
Above-ground entombment involves the use of a mausoleum—an above-ground structure that can may contain one or more caskets or urns. For people who are unfamiliar with mausoleums and above-ground entombment, the most famous example may be the Pyramids in Egypt. These familiar structures are some of the first mausoleums known to man. The Taj Mahal and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are also well-known examples of above-ground entombments.

Why do people choose this method of burial?
Some people opt for above-ground entombment because the idea of in-ground burial is upsetting to them. Many people who request burial in a mausoleum do so for this reason. In other cases, it is simply a preference or a family tradition. In some regions of the world, such as New Orleans, above-ground entombment is done because the ground is not suitable for burial. If you think you would prefer above-ground entombment, be sure to discuss your wishes with your family. It can be even more helpful to consider funeral pre-planning so you can be sure your family has all of the information they need about your preferences.

What are private family mausoleums?
Although many mausoleums are home to caskets and urns of many different people, you may wish to have a mausoleum that is expressly for your family. These mausoleums are available in a number of different sizes and designs to suit your needs and your budget.

There are many things to consider when weighing your options for burial. Valley of the Temples can explain all of your options and help you pick the one that is best for your family and how you wish to honor your lost loved one. To learn more about burial plots in Oahu, HI and support in the funeral planning process, call our funeral home and cemetery today at (808) 239-8811.

When a loved one passes away, finding a personalized way to memorialize them is part of the funeral planning process for many families. One option some cemeteries offer are benches. These unique memorials are an impactful way to honor someone you love after they have passed on.

At Valley of the Temples, we offer memorial benches in a variety of sizes, finishes, and designs to suit every family’s needs. In addition to our ornate Italian-inspired bench and rustic cattle bench, our funeral home also offers benches that pay tribute to service in each branch of the military. The funeral home also has benches that memorialize a hobby or special interest, from sailing to golf and even wine.

Valley of the Temples can guide you through the process of memorializing your loved one, from planning a funeral service in Oahu, HI, to selecting a bench, Hawaiian tree legacy, or other special tribute. To learn more about how we can help in your time of need, please call (808) 239-8811.

One of the first decisions you will have to make when you are planning funeral services or pre-planning a funeral is whether to choose cremation or burial. Find out more about how others are making this important decision by watching this video.

There are many factors to consider when picking cremation or burial, from religious beliefs to your funeral budget. In some cases, cremation is a more affordable option, but it can be incompatible with some people’s religion and preferences.

At Valley of the Temples, you don’t have to make these important decisions alone, as the caring staff at our funeral home in Oahu, HI, guides you through the process. When you need our services, please call us at (808) 239-8811.