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Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm

O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home

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O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home

The O’Brien Funeral Home became a licensed funeral home in Grand Rapids in 1885

12/19/2025

Preplanning a funeral allows you to prepay, make decisions about your last wishes, and, most importantly, alleviate the burden of planning on your family as they experience grief.

12/17/2025

Saying no creates space to define the holidays on your terms. You might spend time reflecting, journaling, creating memorial rituals, or simply resting. These personal practices honor your grief while still allowing you to feel a sense of presence during the season.

By curating your own holiday rhythm, you can find peace, moments of joy, and connection in ways that feel safe and meaningful.

Read more tips for the holiday season: https://bit.ly/3K5S80b

12/15/2025

Here are a few phrases that help reframe your participation to make the holiday season feel more manageable:

“ I don’t think I’ll make it, but I’d love to grab coffee this week.” This phrase can make getting together less intimidating and help you focus on meaningful relationships.

“ I’ll try and stop by.” Committing to a smaller amount of time at an event can alleviate the anxiety of having to stay and linger.

“ I don’t think I’ll be able to fly out this year, but I’ll FaceTime you on the day.” Adding travel to your holiday season can feel exhausting, but showing you still want to connect virtually can make others still feel loved from afar.

“ I am going to spend this time alone.” You don’t need to provide an explanation for wanting to spend moments within this season alone. Hosting a quiet moment of remembrance can help you be present with your emotions.

Small adjustments can help you maintain connections without compromising your emotional well-being.

For more tips to handle the holiday season: https://bit.ly/3K5S80b

12/12/2025

Eulogies serve as a great opportunity to reflect and honor the deceased. It can be a powerful way for you and others to find closure and peace during significant periods of grief. It can also be difficult to get started. Here are a few tips to help you move past writer’s block and create a meaningful tribute to your loved one.

- Consider length: Eulogies are typically around 1000 words or about 6 to 8 minutes of speaking.
- Remember to follow a structure: Include an introduction, key life details from early childhood to adulthood, meaningful stories, reflections on their impact, and a heartfelt ending.
- Talk with others: By talking and exchanging memories with others can help you create a meaningful eulogy.

12/10/2025

Whether experiencing a loss for the first or tenth time, grief at the holidays can be overwhelming. Not wanting to dampen others' good times, grieving people might pull away and isolate themselves. Reach out to your loved ones who are alone this holiday season and encourage them to join you for festivities if and when they feel up for it. This small gesture might make a world of difference.

12/08/2025

Seasonal depression—officially known as Seasonal Affective Disorder—is a type of depression that tends to emerge in the fall and winter months. It’s triggered by the reduction in sunlight, which can disrupt our internal clock and affect serotonin levels. According to the American Psychiatric Association, roughly 5% of U.S. adults experience SAD each year. Common signs can include:

- Feeling hopeless or unusually fatigued
- Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
- Changes in appetite or sleep
- Increased irritability or withdrawal from loved ones

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and you’re not “failing” at grief. You may simply be experiencing the added weight of a seasonal shift in your mental health.

12/05/2025

Practicing daily gratitude and journaling are great tools for resetting our mindset and acknowledging our feelings of grief. Take a moment today to reflect on these prompts.

12/03/2025

The holiday season is a busy time of year that can fill our schedules with additional invitations, family gatherings, and other holiday parties. These social demands can feel overwhelming for anyone and leave someone navigating grief feeling drained and anxious. While you may feel pressure to spread yourself thin, it’s important to set healthy boundaries by saying “no” and honoring what you need in this season. To read more: https://bit.ly/3K5S80b

12/01/2025

Preplanning can help alleviate the burden on your family and provide peace of mind, knowing your wishes will be honored and financial worries minimized during a difficult time.

Preplanning includes:

- Preventing Financial Burden: Create a flexible funding plan based on today's pricing that fits your situation, easing the financial burden on your loved ones.

- Documenting Your Wishes: Build your end-of-life plans to ensure your wishes are respected without any guesswork.

- Creating Contingency Plans: Relax knowing your funeral plan is transferable in case you relocate, with optional travel protection available.

At Gerst, we are ready to support you in every stage of the process. Connect with us and learn more about our preplanning options: https://bit.ly/3CZ0Hmg

11/28/2025

The loss of a loved one is never easy, and it can be challenging to process grief during the holiday season. As others appear to enjoy the holidays, those grieving often feel alone and forgotten. Regular check-ins are important all year, but they’re especially meaningful during the holidays. A quick text or call to let someone know you’re thinking of them can make a big difference. Getting together over coffee or even inviting them to a holiday celebration are additional ways to let someone know you care about their wellbeing.

11/27/2025

The Gerst team wishes you and your family a happy Thanksgiving! We hope you can spend the holiday surrounded by memories, love, and laughter.

Address

3980 Cascade Road SE
Grand Rapids, MI
49546

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+16169497350

Website

https://www.gerstfuneralhomes.com/

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About Gerst Funeral Homes

The O’Brien Funeral Home became a licensed funeral home in Grand Rapids in 1885 located in the downtown area, Grand Rapids’ first funeral home. P.H. O’Brien was the original owner. The establishment moved to its new location on Jefferson Ave. several years later. Bonnie O’Brien, son of P.H. O’Brien, and Joseph O’Brien, grandson of P.H. O’Brien, operated the business at the Jefferson location. In 1968, Joseph O’Brien built a new facility at the present location at Cascade and East Paris intersection, completing the first project in early 1969.