Neptune Society

Glennis Points, manager at the Patterson-Forest Grove Funeral Home, which cremates for other area funeral homes as well, said the crematory usually ran from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. before the pandemic. Now we are working until 3 a.m. most nights and starting back up again around 8 in the morning, she said. It’s been hard for us, but it’s been terrible for families, Points said. It’s never been a good time to lose somebody, but it’s been particularly terrible this year. They can’t embrace each other. They are afraid to come to large groups. It’s just so difficult.

"I cannot tell you how grateful we are."

Larry King, the good-natured, gravel-voiced interviewer of celebrities for six decades, died on Saturday at age 87. "The world knew Larry King as a great broadcaster and interviewer, but to us he was 'dad,' " King's three sons said. "We will miss him every single day of our lives." https://people.com//larry-king-sons-speaks-out-after-his-/

The bottom line, human evolutionary biology expert Daniel Lieberman says: "We should all relax and stop being so uncompassionate to each other."

Former hospice chaplain Kerry Egan, writer urges us to draw on our own "spiritual toolbox" in a time of suffering and loss. "Each of us also has our experiences of hardship and perseverance in our pasts. Ask yourself: what other difficult, frightening, overwhelming times have you experienced? How did you get through them? How do you make sense of them now? What can you learn from other hard times you've been through?" https://www.cnn.com//covid-coronavirus-pandemic/index.html

2021 marks the centennial of the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. To recognize this significant event, ANC is leading a major commemoration that explores the history and legacy of the Tomb.

Yes. Let's keep going forward, together.

An especially touching image because both Yeager, the most famous test pilot of his generation, who was the first to break the sound barrier, and Sam Shepard, the dashing actor who played him in the movie "The Right Stuff," have slipped the surly bonds of earth. Shepard died in 2017, at age 73, from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Actor Rob Delaney on the loss of his son: "I don't know if Henry's death made me love his brothers more, but it certainly made me love them better. Because when I hold them now, I know what they really are. They're temporary gatherings of stardust, just like Henry. They won't be here forever. They're here now, and it is my staggering privilege to get to hold them and smell them and stare at them." #GriefAwarenessWeek https://www.cnn.com//rob-delaney-son-death-trnd/index.html

West Covina office coordinator Brittany Morse bringing joy and deliciousness to our heroic, oh-so-essential workers: She gave goodies and swag to staffers at Regency Grand, Apria Healthcare, and West Covina Healthcare and then gave our hard-working, always helpful mail carrier ice cream on a hot day. Brittany also saved the day, hand-delivering an urn to the funeral director at Mt. View Mortuary & Cemetery in San Bernardino, needed for a service the next day after the original urn arrived damaged. #heroesworkhere #actsofkindness

Funny enough, self care doesn’t always just involve the self. There is something rewarding and fulfilling when we do things for others...when we encourage other...s...when we help someone else to feel cared for...it often creates a domino effect where they then want to care back or continue to pay it forward. I was saddened to read the news about a little 11 year old boy who shot himself during his distance learning class. Rates of depression and anxiety are higher and the winter season and holidays can often be a hard time for people who are in pain. Please check in on your loved ones. Tell them you love them. Tell them you still see them even if you can’t. And if you’re someone who is struggling, please reach out for help and support. We all need to be there for one another. See more

Wisdom from What's Your Grief.

This seems especially true now, when we miss being able to touch those we love. That in itself has been a source of grief. And we're all holding on until the day we can be together again. #wereallinthistogether

We're all finally starting to understand something important about grief: it isn't a straight line. It doesn't just disappear one day. The people we love are with us, in our hearts, forever, and at unexpected times, the loss can seem unbearable. What you're feeling is normal.

Charlotte service manager Elijah Walker brought swag and goodies to nearby local businesses, including Tranquil Family Dentistry, as thanks for being there for the community during the pandemic.

Did you know that Neptune Society is a proud partner of Operation Gratitude? Throughout October and November, we’re working with them to raise funds for U.S. military veterans and deployed troops. If you would like to donate, please click the link below. Donations go directly to Operation Gratitude and are used to create and ship care packages across the country and around the world! https://giving.operationgratitude.com/team/321840 #OG2020Challenge #OperationGratitude #ActionsSpeakLouder #SupportOurTroops #SupportOurVeterans #DoGood #SupportOurFirstResponders #FrontlineHeroes #FirstResponders #ForgeStrongBonds #BridgeTheDivide #GiveBack #Military #Service

We understand so deeply this description of the sacred duty to mourners. "Since being ordained, I have discovered both the duty and dividend that come with being a minister. My collar magically transforms me into someone worthy of entry into the most vulnerable and heart-wrenching moments life dishes out. But with that trust comes responsibility. In those tender and unsteady times, those under your care need you to be steadfast, compassionate, and most importantly, above reproach. Which is precisely why funerals pull so much harder at my heartstrings. ...funerals mark a final goodbye, a transition rife with complexity and sorrow. People need a minister when poised at this kind of emotional precipice. Everyone is counting on you to do the heavy lifting. And rightly so."

Our West Covina folks showing their appreciation for location manager Kelly Haman on #NationalBossDay. Kelly: "We have the greatest team :)." Obviously a great leader, too!

I did not want to say the unthinkable words My mom is gone to even the most sympathetic listener. Because no matter how often the phone rang, it would never again be her. If you’re like me and have a hard time asking for help or naming what you need especially now, when everyone you know is struggling therapist Joy Lieberthal Rho suggests starting with just one person who has been consistently good about reaching out to you.

We’ll miss the big family gatherings at Thanksgiving but it’s more important to stay safe. I care for my 88-year-old mom and am not taking chances." Families are finding new ways to celebrate the holidays, honoring their love for each other, this year.

"None of us is immune to becoming infected, which is frightening. Still, the pandemic has helped my mental health because everything slowed to a crawl. I felt relief from all the triggers abetting my state of mind. Now, I need to become more mindful day-to-day and to take steps to hold on to this quiet space. I need to find a way to make this last, even after our routines resume."

Happy Monday, Happy Autumn. A reminder that we all have a few falls, and get a few cracks, in this life. Those imperfections are part of who we are, and we can love ourselves and each other not despite them, but because of them. Enjoy the season.

Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay. It's been a tough year. Take care of yourselves; take care of each other. https://www.facebook.com/emotional_health/core_tips