The loss of a loved one can be profoundly overwhelming to children. They experience adult loss and emotions, but they lack the tools to deal with the feelings. As with adults, grieving for children does not end when the funeral service does, and also like adults, they sometimes need help coping with their grief.

You can begin to support your child in his or her journey with grieving by being open and honest. Euphemisms, hushed conversations, and half-truths only make children feel more vulnerable. Be mindful of signs that your child could be struggling to process his or her grief. Declining grades, isolation, sleep problems, and new provocative or dangerous behavior could all indicate that your child may benefit from professional grief support.

Valley of the Temples Memorial Park is pleased to offer grief support in Oahu, HI, to help families find the healthiest ways to mourn. If you or your child needs to connect with grief support services, please call our funeral home at (808) 239-8811.

The Byodo-In Temple at Valley of the Temples Memorial Park is a replica of the ancient Byodo-In Temple in Uji, Japan, which is more than 950 years old and is a World Heritage Site of the United Nations.

At the memorial park’s Byodo-In Temple, its Bell House contains a 3-ton, 5-foot high, brass bell called the bon-sho, meaning sacred bell. The bell was cast in Osaka, Japan and is similar to the bell hanging at the original Byodo-In Temple in Uji. The bell is known for its unique shape and the feelings of deep calm that it can evoke in those who hear it ring. Customarily, the bon-sho is rung just before a person enters the temple to spread Buddha’s teachings to help purify the mind and bring happiness and blessings.

If you’d like to learn more about Valley of the Temples Memorial Park’s Byodo-In Temple near Oahu, HI, then please contact us today by calling (808) 239-8811.

Cremation services are a popular choice among those planning or pre-planning a funeral, and experts believe that this practice has been in use for thousands of years. Continue reading to learn about the history of cremation.

3000 B.C.
Many of today’s scholars estimate that people have been performing cremation since the early Stone Age. At this time, around 3000 B.C., it’s believed that cremation was practiced primarily in Europe and the Near East. Also, there is evidence in the form of decorative pottery urns which indicate that this funeral practice spread across northern Europe during the late Stone Age.

2500 B.C.
Cremation spread to the British Isles and what are now Portugal and Spain during the Bronze Age, between 2500 and 1000 B.C. Additionally, cemeteries for cremation burials were developed in Ireland, Hungary, northern Italy, and northern Europe.

1000 B.C.
During the Mycenaean Age, Grecian burial customs began to include cremation, and it’s guessed that early Romans followed this trend around 600 B.C. By the height of the Roman Empire, which was from 27 B.C. to 395 A.D., cremation was a standard practice that often involved the storage of elaborate urns within structures, much like modern day columbaria.

1873 A.D.
In 1873, an Italian professor presented a dependable chamber for cremation at the 1973 Vienna Exposition. This development led to what we know as cremation today. After this, the popularity of cremation grew in both Europe and North America.

1999 A.D.
Nearly 600,000 cremations were performed in 1999, which accounted for more than a quarter of the deaths in the U.S. By this time, there were more than 1,400 crematories and, a decade later, this number had risen to more than 2,000. In 2009, more than a third of all deaths in the United States were followed by cremation.

At our peaceful and full-service funeral home, we offer cremation near Oahu, HI. To learn more, please call Valley of the Temples Memorial Park at (808) 239-8811.

Have you been invited to attend a funeral ceremony and have concerns about displaying proper etiquette? If so, then you’re like many other individuals who want to avoid doing anything disrespectful during this type of event. The following are several things that you shouldn’t do when attending a funeral service.

Leave Your Phone On
To show your respect during a funeral service, it’s essential that, at the least, you silence your phone, and it’s ideal to turn off your mobile devices completely. This advice cannot be stressed enough, and you do not want to be the person whose phone rings in the middle of the eulogy.

Arrive Late to the Service
Although arriving late to a funeral is better than not attending at all, it is more respectful to be there on time. Aim to arrive about 10 minutes early.

Attend the Funeral Underdressed
While many experts agree that it’s no longer essential to come to a funeral service in all black, it’s ideal that you arrive wearing respectful attire. Refer to the funeral invitation to see if it includes any notes regarding dress. If there are not, then opt for closed-toe shoes and clothing that isn’t too gaudy or revealing. Slacks and a button-down shirt work well for men, and women often choose to wear conservative dresses in subdued colors.

Leave Children at Home
It’s common for parents to hesitate to bring children to a funeral. While babies and very young children should be left with a sitter, allowing older kids to attend this type of ceremony can make them feel involved, help them understand death, and assist them with finding closure. If you’re undecided, then have a conversation with your children and let them tell you if they would like to attend.

Are you in need of funeral services following the passing of a loved one? If so, then please contact Valley of the Temples Memorial Park at (808) 239-8811 to learn how our experienced and compassionate staff can assist you with planning a funeral near Oahu, HI.

Are you planning a funeral for a veteran? If so, then you probably have questions about military funerals. Watch this video to learn about military funeral traditions.

The American military funeral incorporates traditions and symbolism that show appreciation for a life that was lived or even given in service to the country. With the blue field positioned over the left shoulder, the American flag is draped over the casket. Also, a rifle party with an odd number of service members fires 3 volleys of blank cartridges. During funerals for military officers, horse-drawn carriages are used to transport the casket to the burial site.

Are you planning a funeral in Oahu, HI for a military veteran? If so, then please call Valley of the Temples Memorial Park at (808) 239-8811 to learn about our funeral home’s veteran’s services.