Erickson Funeral Home

01/05/2026

❤ 💕 For Everyone That Has Lost A Family Member And A Friend.

❤️ At birth we board the train and meet our parents, and we believe they will always travel by our side. As time goes by, other people will board the train, and they will be significant, i.e. our siblings, friends, children, and even the love of your life.

However, at some station our parents will step down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone. Others will step down over time and leave a permanent vacuum. Some, however, will go so unnoticed that we don't realize they've vacated their seats.

The train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hello's, goodbyes and farewells.

Success consists of having a good relationship with all passengers requiring that we give the best of ourselves. The mystery to everyone is, We do not know at which station we, ourselves will step down.

So we must live in the best way, love. Forgive and offer the best of who we are. It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life. I wish you all a joyful journey...

~ Unknown author ~

01/04/2026

Grieving Through Song: 7 Beautiful Songs to Help You Cope With the Loss of a Loved One.
It’s amazing how a smell, sweater, restaurant, movie, or picture triggers the memories of a lost loved one. But when you’re at the beginning of the grieving process, almost anything could bring tears to your eyes.

Grieving is one of the most painful and draining phases to experience. Some people don’t grieve right away, while others feel it fast. Grief counseling might help you through the process.

No two people handle death the same way, but when it happens, you’ll need reassurances that eventually things get better. Listening to music is therapeutic. There are many songs about losing a loved one.

If you’ve recently lost someone or it’s been twenty years, the soothing melody and inspirational lyrics might get you through a crying bout.

Check out the list below of seven songs meant to hug your heart as you go through the sadness.

1. Missing You by Diana Ross

“Missing You” was written by Lionel Ritchie in dedication to his and Diana Ross’ friend, singer, and songwriter Marvin Gaye. The poignant song discusses the feelings of losing a friend and lover.

It’s a calming, but an emotional tune that captures the pain of someone once near and dear to your heart.

2. You Are Not Alone by Michael Jackson

“You Are Not Alone” was written by singer and songwriter R. Kelly in response to Michael Jackson’s issues in his personal and professional life.

The beautiful lyrics capture the feeling of losing someone unexpectedly but knowing the person’s memories and love within your heart.

3. I’ll Be Missing You by Puff Daddy Ft. Faith Evans

“I’ll Be Missing You” was written by The Notorious B.I.G.’s widow, singer and songwriter, Faith Evans and Todd Gaither. A portion of the melody samples from The Police’s “Every Breath You Take,” which was written by Sting.

This song gives comfort to the listener by paying tribute and acknowledges they’ll remember the person daily through prayer but is hopeful a reunion will occur someday.

4. Tears In Heaven by Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton and Will Jennings wrote the song “Tears in Heaven” as a tribute to Clapton’s son, who fell to his death.

The song is one of the saddest songs about grief, but the honesty it expresses makes it worth listening to.

5. My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion

“My Heart Will Go On” was written by James Horner and Will Jennings for Celine Dion to sing for the movie Titanic.

The song’s lyrics bring melancholy but Celine’s voice brings tears as the lyrics let everyone know the deceased is not forgotten.

6. One Sweet Day by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men

“One Sweet Day” was written and sung by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men. It’s one of the most upbeat songs for losing a loved one. The beat and lyrics combine well to tell the listener it’s okay because someday you might be reunited with your lost loved ones.

7. Let It Be by The Beatles

“Let It Be” was written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon of the Beatles. The song gives hope to the listener by stating eventually a resolution and comfort will find the grieving. So the best thing to do and not stress, but let things be.

Let These Songs about Losing a Loved One Soothe You

There are no quick fixes for handling a death, but songs about losing a loved one could provide the warmth your heart needs to heal.

01/03/2026

The problem with trying to have a happy funeral is, that when someone we love dies, we aren't happy, we're sad.

We may have happy memories about the person, and there may be a part of us that's happy because they're no longer suffering or in pain, so there can be parts of a funeral that have happiness. But when someone we care about dies, the normal and natural human response is grief. We're sad, and it’s healthy to be sad.

Sometimes when people plan a funeral, they say, “Don't wear black,” or “Don't cry,” or “This is only going to be a celebration.” The motivation is good, but this can be a way of unconsciously hoping that if we don't allow a space for the sadness to flow, there won't be any sadness. But that's not how grief works. Grief only resolves itself when it's allowed to flow and move. When we repress it, and push it down, and deny its presence, it just festers inside us.

A good funeral is designed to allow us to be present to our grief. Of course, they can also include lots of laughter. Funerals can have light, and beauty, and flowers, and all sorts of lovely things as part of them because beauty is part of healing. The goal of a funeral is to allow us to grieve, and to grieve in community. We don't have any other ceremony in our culture that allows us to be in grief, and to be in grief with other people.

The purpose of a funeral is to allow us to feel our grief, and to allow that grief to move. When we make a rule that only smiles and happiness is allowed, we take away the opportunity that a funeral offers, which is a chance to really be present to how incredibly sad we are that this person we love has died.

It's only by being present to our grief and honoring it, that we can then allow it to move.

A funeral is not the end of the grieving, a funeral is the beginning. If we set a tone at the funeral that says grief is allowed, grief is natural, grief is normal, and grief is healthy, then we can begin to move through our grief. That’s what allows us to integrate it and to come back again, back to ourselves again.

A grieving process takes us into a deep underworld journey and we can't skip any part of it. We have to go through it before we come back up. A good funeral is a beautiful service towards that end.

01/02/2026

"The new year begins the moment you stop holding on to what no longer fits." (Power of Positivity)

The true beginning of a year does not happen when the clock strikes midnight or when the calendar turns a leaf. It begins in the quiet moment you finally let go of what no longer fits your soul. We often carry old burdens, tired stories, and heavy expectations simply because they are familiar, even when they have become too small for the person we are becoming.

Growth is a gentle shedding of the old. When you release the things that weigh you down—the hurts, the doubts, and the roles you have outgrown—you create a sacred space within your heart. In that space, a new life can finally breathe.
Trust that by clearing away the old, you are not losing anything of value; you are simply making room for the peace and the light that truly belong to you now.

The new year is not a date on a page; it is the freedom of a light heart ready to walk a new path. 🔆

Credit: Tips that can change your life

01/01/2026

Gods blessings to you all in 2026🙏

12/31/2025

As the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, the familiar melody of 'Auld Lang Syne' fills the air, evoking a mix of emotions. This traditional Scottish song, written by Robert Burns, is a poignant reminder to reflect on the past year and the memories we've made with loved ones. The lyrics, 'Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?' resonate deeply, encouraging us to cherish friendships and moments that have shaped us. As we sing along, we're reminded to let go of the past, forgive, and look forward to new beginnings. The song's nostalgic tone and universal message make it a timeless classic, bridging cultures and generations. As the confetti falls and the new year unfolds, 'Auld Lang Syne' remains an enduring symbol of hope, friendship, and the promise of tomorrow 🎉🌟."

12/30/2025

I loved Pastor Nick McElrath's idea from First Baptist Church in Darlington! ❤️ After Christmas is over, instead of pitching all of those wonderful cards that we received from family and friends he suggested keeping the Christmas cards 🎄in a special pile and, whenever you're sitting down to a meal with family, grabbing a card and saying a prayer for that person or family. It's a beautiful way to turn a simple mealtime routine into a meaningful moment of connection and kindness. Thanks, Pastor Nick, for reminding us to spread love and gratitude every day!🙏
And then when you have completed this meaningful task you can take it one step further
by making next year’s gift tags out of the cards.

12/30/2025

So many times
we think we have faith
until we find ourselves in a place
that has us questioning God,
that in turn,
takes us to a place
that has us questioning our faith
in God.

We hear a diagnosis.
We get "let go" from our job.
We receive divorce papers.
We stand in a cemetery.

Blindsided and knocked off our feet,
we start to wrestle with God about the "why"?

Only sometimes,
most times, in fact,
when it comes to knowing the "why",
God chooses to remain silent.

And this is where
the questioning of our faith
begins.

It's easy to have faith
when all is as we think it should be.
It's easy to have faith
when life is good,
and it seems God is good, too.

But - what about when
the ground crumbles beneath us?

If we are standing on faith in God,
and not faith in our situations
and our circumstances,
we will still be able to stand.

This is what faith is -
standing when we don't know what,
standing when we don't know when,
standing when we don't know where,
standing when we don't know how -
because we know WHO.

Everything in our life
can change in a heartbeat,
but God never changes.

Faith is faith
when we don't
have all the answers
and still believe.

Faith is faith
when we don't
understand the why
and still believe.

Faith is faith
when we don't know
what, when, where or how
and still believe.

And, this.
Especially this:
Faith is faith even when
we still feel pain,
we still feel anger,
we still feel hurt,
we still feel left wondering why.

Because I think
what we sometimes forget is this:
It is possible to have faith
and feel as though
you are drowning
in a sea of emotions
simultaneously.

Faith can still be there
even in the tears,
even in the heartache,
even in the pain,
even in the struggle.

Don't allow your emotions
to convince you
you've lost your faith.

Don't allow your emotions
to "mix up"
the losses in your life.

You may have lost your health,
but faith still remains.
You may have lost your job,
but faith still remains.
You may have lost your spouse,
but faith still remains.
You may have lost your loved one,
but faith still remains.

This is the very essence of faith in God.

It stays
even when,
in the midst of,
and in spite of.

When our faith is in God,
faith remains
because He remains.~❤️

~Stacy L. Sanchez

12/29/2025

12/28/2025

Pledge of Allegiance Day on December 28 is a significant day for Americans 🇺🇸. It's a time to reflect on the values and principles that the Pledge represents. The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, and it's been a part of American tradition ever since 📚.

The pledge has undergone changes over the years, with the most notable revision adding "under God" in 1954. This addition sparked debate, but it remains a powerful symbol of American unity and patriotism 💬.

Give it a try today and recite the pledge of allegiance 🇺🇸. Overall, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance is a powerful way for Americans to come together, celebrate their shared values, and honor the nation's heritage 🇺🇸.

12/27/2025

Today, Brent and I visited the cemetery in Argyle to say a prayer for our loved ones, and it was such a sweet experience 🌲🕯️. We noticed so many beautiful Christmas expressions of love – wreaths, flowers, Christmas trees, chimes, and evergreen crosses. It really drove home how loved ones stay with us, even in loss. The holidays can be a bittersweet time, can't they? As we gather with family, there's often a pang of sadness thinking about those who aren't with us physically. Visiting the cemetery where family members are buried can be a meaningful way to feel connected to them again. Sharing stories, lighting a candle, or simply sitting together in silence can bring comfort and keep their memories alive. It's a reminder that even though they're gone, the love and impact they had on our lives remain. And there's something special about visiting the place where we laid them to rest – it's a tangible connection to them, a way to say, "You're not forgotten." 🎄🙏

12/27/2025

Arrange your priorities

Here’s an exercise that will absolutely amaze you. At the end of any ordinary day sit down and write down everything that you did that day. Every detail. If you are thorough ( and honest), you’re going to end up with a list with many more than a hundred items.
Now go back and rank your activities according to the following scale, which was developed by Richard Foster.

1- Essential
2- Important but not essential
3- Helpful but not necessary
4- Trivial

When you’re done, look at your list. You will see two remarkable things. First, you’ll notice how many details there are in one day. Second you will notice how much time you spent on unnecessary and trivial things, and how little time you actually spent on essential and important details. Assuming that you were honest, you now have a measure of your priorities and they may not be what you expected. However , it’s the unnecessary and even the trivial things that occupy the majority of your time.
The trouble is that the details of your lives don’t really amount to much when you look at them from God’s perspective. It’s not that God doesn’t care about the small stuff in our life. He cares more than we do. All that He asks is that we put God at the top of our priority list. When we reduce our priorities to one detail and it’s God, then every other detail falls into place. Not right away. If you stay focused and give the small stuff to God, you will have a clearer and more effective focus on your life 🙏

❤️Strive to be a person of faith rather than fame