Last month we began a series on happiness with a special approach. We’re looking at the sermon on the mount, and specifically the beatitudes. The beatitudes are several statements Jesus made in which He clearly defines what true happiness looks like. In most translations of the Bible, each beatitude begins with the word “blessed.” That word, … Read more
Griefing is a part of life. One of the primary tenets of hospice care is to value death as a natural part of life. In the same way that we acknowledge the beginning of life, we acknowledge and respect its end. And a part of that acknowledgment is grief. Everyone experiences grief, just as everyone … Read more
If you’ve recently lost a loved one, or know you will soon, the holidays can be a very difficult time, especially family-centric holidays like Christmas. The empty chair, the lonely bed, and the quiet moments are very real things, and the holiday season can seem to magnify them. These are times we have always spent … Read more
“Children are so resilient!” It’s a common saying, and it’s true in many ways. Children often seem to recover from difficult situations much more quickly than adults. However, the ability of children to “seem” normal may cause us to forget that they too, need to process grief after the loss of a loved one. Research … Read more
One of the most devastating intrusions in our lives today is an unexpected national or global disaster. Whether caused by nature or people, these uninvited and unexpected crises leave innocent people emotionally overwhelmed or physically handicapped. Traumatic events outside of our “normal” fears and expectations can create a sense of incredible vulnerability and helplessness. Normal … Read more
Grief is a normal and natural response when we suffer a loss. While everyone will experience a loss at some point, the symptoms of grief are often misunderstood – both by the people going through it and the people around them. By raising grief awareness, individuals in mourning can better understand their own reactions and … Read more
You can never really be prepared for the death of a close friend. No matter what age or stage of life, the death of a close friend is hard to handle. After a loss, the hole in your life seems overwhelming. But the symptoms of grief are common to many people, and there are concrete … Read more
Writing an obituary for a friend or loved one is not an easy task. An obituary serves a variety of purposes. It’s a notification of someone’s passing, a description of their life, a recounting of the extended family and special friends who the loved one touched, an informational notice about an upcoming funeral. It can … Read more
When a loved one passes away, it has become common to send flowers with a card that says something like: “I’m so sorry to hear about your loss.” “Thinking of you in these difficult times” “Our hearts go out to you and your family.” While cards are thoughtful sentiments, a person can often find difficulty … Read more
One of the most difficult things one could ever have to do is share their terminal diagnosis with a loved one. Learning that a loved one is dying is difficult for those of all ages. Here are a few simple “do’s” and “don’ts” in communicating this unfortunate reality. Following these few suggestions could help make … Read more
There’s just something so uplifting about spring. Spring does wonders for the soul, whether it’s the birds tweeting, the beautiful flowers or the bright sunshine. Springtime is a favorite time of year for many since we have spent the winter being in the house. There’s nothing like breathing in fresh air and feeling the warmth … Read more
Crown Hospice is an organization that survives on the dreams, ambitions, and sacrificial time of many volunteers. Hospice volunteers provide companionship to people living with a serious illness and help their family caregivers in a variety of ways. Furthermore, we rely on volunteers to help with office work, fund raising, community outreach and other operating … Read more
If you want to support our hospice care program, our patients, and our community as a whole, please do not hesitate to donate!
