Tompkins Funeral Home

08/29/2025

08/28/2025

View Donald Douglas Arbuckle's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

08/25/2025

View Daniel Patrick Kane's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

08/25/2025

Estate Planning
The Need to Keep an Up-to-Date List of Assets and Liabilities

When a will is created specifics assets, such as a home, vehicles and investments, are not necessarily included in the details in the distribution of the estate, unless they are gifted to a particular beneficiary.

Sometimes assets are jointly owned, or in the case of an investment, a named beneficiary has been registered with the financial institution. In these cases, the asset is not considered part of the estate. Sometimes, with the passage of time, assets enter into or leave the estate. People move, new cars are bought and sold, and investments are cashed in or moved from one fund to another. Wills do not change every time an asset is purchased or sold.

Often, assets will end up being part of the residual of an estate and instructions are left on how the residual will be distributed. Part of an executor/executrix (estate administrator) responsibilities is determining which assets are part of an estate at the time the person dies.

You know your personal affairs and finances better than anyone else, so keeping an up to date list of your assets and liabilities is easier for you than someone else.

Create a list of assets, which forms a ‘checklist’ for the administrator. Update this list as changes in financial position occur. This will save countless hours for those who need to administer to the details of your will.

Seek legal counsel if need be. Talk with your bank. They will have forms (checklists) which you can use as a guideline.

© Tompkins Funeral Home/CFHC Online

08/22/2025

Epitaphs of Celebs

The ‘final words’ that are inscribed on our memorial… ‘an epitaph,’ are typically a tribute or message in remembrance, such as, “In Loving Memory.” Sometimes those who are famous have a bit more to say.
Below are the epitaphs of some actors, and political or religious leaders:

Mother Teresa, “Love one another as I have loved you.” (St. John, 15-12)
Ronald Reagan, "I know in my heart that man is good, that what is right will always eventually triumph, and there is purpose and worth to each and every life."
Rita Hayworth, “To yesterday’s companionship and tomorrow’s reunion.”
Wyatt Earp, “Nothing’s so Sacred as Honor and Nothing’s So Loyal as Love.”
Rodney Dangerfield, “There goes the neighborhood.”
Martin Luther King, Jr., “Free at last. Free at last. Thank God Almighty I’m Free At Last.”
Lucille Ball, "You've come home."
Mel Blanc, “That’s all, folks!”
John Wayne, "Tomorrow is the most important thing in life, comes into us at midnight very clean. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday."

Sometimes reflective, sometimes funny and always inspirational the final words we leave on our memorial will be inevitably encourage personal thoughts and emotions for everyone who visits.

© Tompkins Funeral Home/CFHC Online

08/14/2025

View Gina Layzell's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

08/11/2025

White Bikes
A Symbol of What We’ve Lost

Have you seen a white bike propped up on a busy street corner adorned with flowers? This small but potent memorial marks the location where a cyclist died, typically following a collision with a vehicle. But besides signifying the spot where a life was lost, it also serves as a place where families and friends grieve their loved one.

Also known as ghost bike memorials, white bikes have existed since October 2003. It all began when Patrick Van Der Tuin placed a painted white bike alongside a St. Louis street after seeing a cyclist hit by a vehicle. Following an outpouring of community response, he enlisted his friends to place more bikes in prominent places around the city where other cyclists had died. Today, white bikes can be found around the world and across our country.

It’s been 20 years since ghost bikes first served as a vessel for memorialization, a conduit for grief and a catalyst to make our city streets safer. As our communities continue to grow, sharing roadways will become ever more vital. Please drive safely and always be mindful of cyclists who use the same roads we travel upon to commute alongside us.

© Tompkins Funeral Home/CFHC Online

08/06/2025

Doing My Part to Help

The proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” shines a light on the importance of community help. Yes A parent can take care of the duties of parenthood, but the support of family, friends and the community at large, makes what is sometimes a difficult journey much easier.

The same can be said for helping those who grieve. Yes those who mourn will often have the personal emotional resources to help them cope with their loss. But sometimes this is not the case and often those who have lost a loved one choose not burden others with their struggles.

As family and friends to those who grieve, it is important to acknowledge their loss personally, so that they feel they are not alone in their grieving. Equally important is reaching out to them over the days, weeks and months following the death, to make sure they are faring ok personally and with any challenges their new life may be presenting them.

We all have a role in making sure we are doing our part to help.

© Tompkins Funeral Home/CFHC Online

08/04/2025

View Dylan Fisher's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

07/31/2025

Throwback Thursday

Prior to 1950, Tompkins Funeral Home was owned and operated by two local families: two generations of the Edwards family who were furniture makers and provided an undertaking services, (1867-1944). They subsequently sold the funeral home to Mr. C. B. Wright who operated it until his retirement in 1950.

These pictures were taken circa 1930’s. They give some insights into the term “Funeral Home.” Most funerals from this time period would have the viewing or visitation occur at the funeral home, followed by a service at a church and subsequent burial at the local cemetery. A funeral home from this time was very much a “home” in the true sense of the word.

Inset Photos: Funeral Home Circa 1930

Dave Tompkins
Managing Funeral Director and Owner

07/25/2025

In Sympathy Meals
Charcuterie Board Appetizers

Charcuterie Boards are becoming a popular mainstay at social gatherings. They present well, contain food items to suit a variety of palates and are easy to prepare.

In the traditional sense, charcuterie refers to an ensemble of cooked, cured or smoked meats. This initial offering has been expanded on to also include assorted cheeses, crackers, breads, fruits and vegetables, pickles, olives and special spreads. Sometimes breaded appetizers also accompany this serving.

Boards come in different sizes and the assorted offerings they contain. Usually small individual serving dishes are also provided to each individual.

Charcuteries are served primarily as appetizers. They are great to graze on, prior to a main course. If someone you know has lost a loved one, and you are questioning what to bring as an In Sympathy Meal, a Charcuterie Board is sure to be well received.

© Tompkins Funeral Home/CFHC Online