Settle-Wilder Funeral Home and Cremation Service

03/31/2026

Using a Tax Refund to Plan Ahead
For many families, a tax refund offers a rare moment of financial flexibility. While it’s tempting to spend it all at once, some choose to use a portion to take care of future planning—including funeral preplanning.

Making arrangements in advance can ease emotional and financial stress later, while ensuring wishes are clearly documented. It’s not about focusing on the end—it’s about protecting the people you love and giving them one less thing to worry about.

If you’ve been considering planning ahead, this season can be the perfect time to start the conversation.

03/27/2026

Please take a heart for a loved one that took yours with them.

03/27/2026

Friday Funeral Fact:
Eulogies weren’t always a standard part of funeral services. In many early traditions, services focused primarily on prayers or religious rites, with little personal storytelling.

Over time, families began including spoken tributes to reflect the individuality of the person being honored. Today, eulogies often serve as one of the most meaningful moments of a service—sharing memories, lessons, and the impact a life had on others.

03/24/2026

What’s the Difference Between a Memorial Service and a Celebration of Life?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but they can mean slightly different things. A memorial service is typically more traditional and reflective, often following familiar customs or religious elements. A celebration of life tends to be more informal and focused on storytelling, music, and personal memories.
There’s no right or wrong choice—only what feels most meaningful for the family and the life being honored.

03/20/2026

Friday Funeral Fact:
Lilies have long been associated with funerals because they symbolize purity, renewal, and the restored innocence of the soul. In Christian tradition especially, white lilies represent peace and the hope of eternal life.

Over time, their quiet beauty and gentle fragrance made them a natural choice for expressing sympathy and honoring a life with dignity.

03/17/2026

What Happens to Social Media Accounts After Someone Passes Away?
After a loss, families often have to decide what to do with their loved one’s social media accounts. Some platforms allow accounts to be memorialized, creating a space where friends and family can continue sharing memories. Others may be permanently deleted at the family’s request. It may seem like a small detail, but these decisions can matter deeply. For many families, digital spaces become part of how a life is remembered and honored.

03/13/2026

Friday Funeral Fact:
The phrase “Rest in Peace” comes from the Latin words Requiescat in pace, which appeared in early Christian inscriptions and prayers. It expressed a hope that the person who had passed would find eternal rest and spiritual peace.

Over time, the phrase became widely used across cultures and traditions—offering a simple, universal expression of comfort and remembrance.

03/10/2026

National Funeral Director & Mortician Recognition Day
Today, we recognize the funeral directors who serve families with compassion, steadiness, and professionalism during life’s most difficult moments. Behind every service is thoughtful planning, careful attention to detail, and a commitment to honoring each life with dignity.

We are proud of the dedicated professionals who guide families with patience and care. If a funeral director has made a difference for your family, we invite you to share a kind word or message of appreciation below.

03/06/2026

Friday Funeral Fact:
Before newspapers became widely available, obituaries were often handwritten and posted publicly—on church doors, community boards, or in town squares. This ensured that neighbors, friends, and distant relatives would learn of a passing and could gather to pay their respects.

Even today, the purpose remains the same: to share the news, honor a life, and bring a community together in remembrance.

03/03/2026

National Social Work Month
In March, we recognize the incredible social workers who walk alongside individuals and families during some of life’s most challenging moments. From hospitals and hospices to schools and community organizations, social workers provide guidance, advocacy, and compassionate support when it’s needed most. We’re grateful for the care and partnership they offer to the families we serve. If you know a social worker who has made a difference in your life or community, we invite you to tag them or share a word of appreciation below.

02/27/2026

Friday Funeral Fact:
Alexander the Great’s beloved horse, Bucephalus, was honored after his death with a ceremonial burial. Alexander even named an entire city—Bucephala—in his horse’s memory, recognizing the deep bond they shared. For thousands of years, people have honored not only human lives, but the animals who walked beside them, served faithfully, and became part of their story.

02/26/2026