Andrews Mortuary & Crematory

Merry Christmas from Andrews Mortuary
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Festival of Trees

Andrews Mortuary & Crematory updated their information in their About section.

Andrews Mortuary & Crematory updated their information in their About section.

NATIONAL WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA DAY - December 17, 2022
Thank you to the American Legion and all the volunteers that organized and orchestrated the Wreaths Across America wreath laying ceremony honoring US Veterans at Sea Lawn Memorial Park in Hampstead, NC.

The 7 Best Ways to Support Someone When They're Grieving | Livestrong.com

The 7 Best Ways to Support Someone When They're Grieving | Livestrong.com Experts offer advice on what to say and do to support a loved one who is grieving, along with the phrases and attitudes you should avoid during this time.

Andrews Mortuary & Crematory

Armistice Day
Thursday is Veterans Day. Originally known as Armistice Day, it is observed on Nov. 11 to honor military veterans and mark the end of World War I. Major hostilities ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. It was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

• Veterans Day occurs on November 11 every year in the United States in honor of the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918 that signaled the end of World War I, known as Armistice Day.
• In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
• In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed by Congress, which moved the celebration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. The law went into effect in 1971, but in 1975 President Gerald Ford returned Veterans Day to November 11, due to the important historical significance of the date.
• Veterans Day commemorates veterans of all wars.
• Great Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the veterans of World War I and World War II on or near November 11th: Canada has Remembrance Day, while Britain has Remembrance Sunday (the second Sunday of November).
• In Europe, Great Britain and the Commonwealth countries it is common to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every November 11.
• Every Veterans Day and Memorial Day, Arlington National Cemetery holds an annual memorial service. The cemetery is home to the graves of over 400,000 people, most of whom served in the military.
Veterans Today
The military men and women who serve and protect the United States come from all walks of life; they are parents, children, grandparents, friends, neighbors and coworkers, and are an important part of their communities. Here are some facts about the veteran population of the United States:
• 19 million living veterans served during at least one war as of April 2021.
• 11 percent of veterans are women.
• 5.9 million veterans served during the Vietnam War.
• 7.8 million veterans served in the Gulf War era.
• Of the 16 million Americans who served during World War II, about 240,000 were still alive as of 2021.
• 933,000 veterans served during the Korean War.
• As of 2021, the top three states with the highest percentage of Veterans were Alaska, Virginia and Montana.

Andrews Mortuary & Crematory Andrews Mortuary is deeply committed to serving our community by following the latest guidelines related to the C-19 pandemic.
Though we are conducting business differently, we are open and available to assist your family. Please call 910-762-7788

Andrews Mortuary & Crematory updated their business hours.

Andrews Mortuary & Crematory updated their business hours.

Loneliness, loss and regret: what getting old really feels like – new study

https://theconversation.com/loneliness-loss-and-regret-what-getting-old-really-feels-like-new-study-157731

Loneliness, loss and regret: what getting old really feels like – new study Over 130 hours of conversations with older people reveal the truth of what it’s like to get old and how to cope with loneliness.

The Love We Only Find In Loss - Whats your Grief

https://whatsyourgrief.com/gief-is-love-we-only-find-in-loss/

The Love We Only Find In Loss - Whats your Grief There is a type of love, a depth of emotion, that can only be found in grief. Only in losing someone, experiencing their complete absense, do we find it.

64 Ways to "Meet Grieving People Where They're At" - What's Your Grief

Meet them where they’re at” is a common (and sound) suggestion for how to support a grieving friend or family member.

64 Ways to "Meet Grieving People Where They're At" - What's Your Grief "Meet them where they're at" is common (and sound) suggestion for how to support a grieving friend or family member. But what does this really mean?

The Myth of Closure: Why Experts Say It Doesn't Exist

The myth of closure and how there may be no such thing with regards to a death and other major losses in your life. Check it out

The Myth of Closure: Why Experts Say It Doesn't Exist Losing a loved one through death or a breakup is always painful. But is seeking 'closure' the healthy way to move on?

Memorial Day…………As we remember those who sacrificed their lives for our great country take a minute and click on the link below to learn the How, Why, and When of this special day. Check it out

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/memorial-day-history

Memorial Day

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/memorial-day-history

Memorial Day Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day started in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971 to honor those who served and died in wars.

In the spirit of St. Patrick's Day.....................Blessings to us all............. Irish or not.

Feelings of Fear and Vulnerability in Grief - Whats your Grief

Fear and vulnerability are very common feelings during the grieving process. Here are some thoughts on dealing with them.............check it out.

Feelings of Fear and Vulnerability in Grief - Whats your Grief We’ve written in the past about the ‘grief lens‘ and how it can impact one’s overall outlook on themselves, others, and the world around them. Sometimes this lens can be constructive and open-minded, but often it’s angry, pessimistic, or fearful (among many other things). It’s not abnorm...

Please join us for a FREE Pre-planning Web seminar on March 3rd at 3 PM EST. Reserve your spot today by clicking the following link: https://info.funeral-preplanning.com/105008-acep-webinar-3/3/21/andrews

What is and "Ethical Will" and how could it be helpful when grieving............. check it out

The tradition of an ethical will, or a ‘tzava’ot‘, comes from the Jewish faith. It is a document passed down through families that shares wisdom and values from one generation to the next. Though they are traditionally created by an individual dying before their death, there is also a space for them in grief.

What is an ethical will?
According to My Jewish Learning, “Traditionally, Jewish ethical wills contained a number of items, including burial instructions, debts and obligations to be paid, requests that family members carry on specific religious traditions, and blessings over the family. But modern ethical wills are less about accounting and instruction and more about imparting wisdom or wishes or simply reviewing one’s life. They are often written in the form of a letter and addressed to one’s children, but they can take many forms”.

I learned of ethical wills when reading Before and After Loss: A Neurologist’s Perspective on Loss, Grief, and Our Brain. When the author’s husband was ill, the family gathered with him. Together they created their version of an ethical will. Family members shared the things that he taught them and that would live on through them. Things big and small. Things serious and silly.

I have now recommended ethical wills to many families who have loved ones who are dying. It is an incredible way for families to share what they will keep with them once a loved one is gone. For the person who is dying, the can share what they hope to leave behind that is not physical. Even when you cannot physically gather together, this is something you can still create. Family members can gather everyone’s written, video, or audio thoughts and share it with the person who is dying.

Adapting an ‘Ethical Will’ in Grief
If you follow along here at WYG, you know that this year I lost three people close to me, all unexpectedly. Ethical wills, in the traditional sense, are a luxury we have when we know a loved one is dying. In so many cases, we don’t. Deaths can be unexpected. There is no time to acknowledge what was passed on before a person is gone.

In other cases, we might know someone is dying, but things get in the way. Not all people and families are open to rituals like ethical wills. Someone or everyone might not be open to acknowledging the reality that someone is terminally ill.

I have been thinking a lot about the way an “ethical will” can still be part of our grief after a death, even when one was not created in advance. As individuals, we can still take time to acknowledge these non-physical things that were left to us by those no longer with us. Part of our continued bond with our loved ones comes through these things they taught and left us. So it can be a meaningful exercise to record the many things we learned from them, that we carry forward.

The loss of a loved one often makes us feel helpless, like things are out of our control. The reality of life is that things are rarely under our control even if we like to think they are. The only thing we can control is how we deal with situations, how we react to a loss, how we cope with challenges in our daily lives. Sometimes that calls for changing ourselves.

This post is a repeat from a previous year.
Written by the Rev. Billy Graham in 2008, it sums up our hopes and thoughts for the new year. May we find comfort in these words and a call to action to make them so.

Our Father and our God, as we stand at the beginning of this new year we confess our need of Your presence and Your guidance as we face the future.
We each have our hopes and expectations for the year that is ahead of us—but You alone know what it holds for us, and only You can give us the strength and the wisdom we will need to meet its challenges. So help us to humbly put our hands into Your hand, and to trust You and to seek Your will for our lives during this coming year.
In the midst of life’s uncertainties in the days ahead, assure us of the certainty of Your unchanging love.
In the midst of life’s inevitable disappointments and heartaches, help us to turn to You for the stability and comfort we will need.
In the midst of life’s temptations and the pull of our stubborn self-will, help us not to lose our way but to have the courage to do what is right in Your sight, regardless of the cost.
And in the midst of our daily preoccupations and pursuits, open our eyes to the sorrows and injustices of our hurting world, and help us to respond with compassion and sacrifice to those who are friendless and in need. May our constant prayer be that of the ancient Psalmist: “Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end” (Psalm 119:33).
We pray for our nation and its leaders during these difficult times, and for all those who are seeking to bring peace and justice to our dangerous and troubled world. We pray especially for Your protection on our healthcare workers, first responders, and all those in service to our country, even at the risk of their own lives. Be with their families also, and assure them of Your love and concern for them.
Bring our divided nation together, and give us a greater vision of what You would have us to be. Your Word reminds us that “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12).
As we look back over this past year we thank You for Your goodness to us—far beyond what we have deserved. May we never presume on Your past goodness or forget all Your mercies to us, but may they instead lead us to repentance, and to a new commitment to make You the foundation and center of our lives this year.
And so, our Father, we thank You for the promise and hope of this new year, and we look forward to it with expectancy and faith. This I ask in the name of our Lord and Savior, who by His death and resurrection has given us hope both for this world and the world to come.
Amen

Veteran's Day - Young Veteran Stories

On Veteran's Day this year, take a minute and read the personal story of veteran and what this day means to her.
https://www.themuse.com/advice/what-veterans-day-means-to-me

Veteran's Day - Young Veteran Stories This young veteran realized that "veterans" aren't just the men who fought in WWII, they're the people protecting our country today.

Importance Of Having A Will | Bankrate

Many people have not taken the time to create a will. What are some of the reasons you may want to consider finding the time to create a will that will work for your particular needs. Check it out.
https://www.bankrate.com/personal-finance/the-importance-of-a-will/

Importance Of Having A Will | Bankrate Here is why you need a will and how to protect what you most cherish after you are gone.

"Today was a Difficult Day," said Pooh.
There was a pause.
"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Piglet.
"No," said Pooh after a bit. "No, I don't think I do."
"That's okay," said Piglet, and he came and sat beside his friend.
"What are you doing?" asked Pooh.
"Nothing, really," said Piglet. "Only, I know what Difficult Days are like. I quite often don't feel like talking about it on my Difficult Days either.
"But goodness," continued Piglet, "Difficult Days are so much easier when you know you've got someone there for you. And I'll always be here for you, Pooh."
And as Pooh sat there, working through in his head his Difficult Day, while the solid, reliable Piglet sat next to him quietly, swinging his little legs...he thought that his best friend had never been more right."
A.A. Milne

Sending thoughts to everyone having a Difficult Day today. I hope you have your own Piglet to sit beside you 🧡

We remember.........

‘Tell Me How to Grieve’: Thoughts on Leaning on Ceremony After a Death During the Pandemic - The Leader

https://funeralleader.com/2020/08/21/tell-me-how-to-grieve-thoughts-on-leaning-on-ceremony-after-a-death-during-the-pandemic/

‘Tell Me How to Grieve’: Thoughts on Leaning on Ceremony After a Death During the Pandemic - The Leader Without a funeral, what are the hundreds of thousands of families who have lost or will lose a loved one during the pandemic, regardless of cause of death, supposed to do?

We are seeking a licensed funeral director to join our team in providing exceptional service to the families we serve. Applicant must have at least two years experience and be able to work as part of a team. For more information and more specific job requirements please contact us.

As we celebrate this 4th of July, we have all been reminded of how fragile freedom truly is, and how appropriate this quote is for today and every day.

Demystifying Grief Counseling: Five FAQs

Grief counseling can be a help to some but knowing what to expect can help decide if it may benefit you. Check it out

Demystifying Grief Counseling: Five FAQs The question many people start with - and thus the most common question we hear - is something along the lines of "Do I need grief counseling?"

Please join us for a FREE Pre-planning Web seminar on May 19th at 10:00 am.

Reserve your spot today by clicking the following link:

https://info.funeral-preplanning.com/103500-acep-webinar-5/19/20/andrews

Condolences in the Time of COVID-19: Guidance for Conveying Your Love and Support - Center for Loss & Life Transition

Thoughts on how to express your condolences to those who are dealing with a loss during these difficult times. Check it out!

Condolences in the Time of COVID-19: Guidance for Conveying Your Love and Support - Center for Loss & Life Transition by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. When someone dies—of COVID-19 or any cause—during this pandemic, their loved ones are being left to grieve in especially harrowing circumstances. They may not have been able to be by the dying person’s side in the hospital or long-term care facility. They may have bee...

Andrews Mortuary is deeply committed to serving our community by following the latest guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Though we are conducting business differently, we are open and available to assist your family’s needs. Please give us a call at (910) 762-7788.

Processing Grief During a Pandemic, When Nothing Is Normal

Processing Grief During a Pandemic, When Nothing Is Normal For those losing loved ones to COVID-19 — and those who lost friends and family in the months before the pandemic — mourning has become a whole new kind of challenge

That Discomfort You’re Feeling Is Grief

Grief over the loss of a loved one is known to most everyone. Grief over the crisis our country and our world is enduring is different but still very similar. This article may help you cope or at least understand why we are all grieving.

That Discomfort You’re Feeling Is Grief

Prayerful words to comfort and inspire us during these difficult times.

God our Creator, who calls the stars by name and sets the fireflies dancing, who makes the mountains burst into song and emboldens the purple crocus pushing up through the snow, we pause to give deep thanks for the beauty which surrounds us always and for the promise that life goes on.

Set in our hearts a hope more resilient than the coronavirus, and assure us of your power to bring good even out of the most formidable diseases.

God of healing and hope, we pray that you would cool the fevered brow of the sick and speak of love stronger than death to those who lay dying. Give healing compassion to all who care for the sick, and encourage those facing isolation with your peace-giving presence.

We pray that coronavirus would move us to reflect upon our responsibility, individually and together, in caring for creation. Let your righteous anger spur us to make the long-overdue changes, so that all of creation might have room to breathe.

Rein in fear, we pray, before it becomes contagious, and nurture trust to form the basis of our dealings with one another. Let the tireless efforts of those on the frontiers of research lead to new and effective treatments, and guide those in positions of power by principles of truth and integrity.

God of tender mercies, we ask humbly that the painful awareness of our own vulnerability lead not to greater fear, but to deeper faith – a faith that nothing in all of creation can separate us from your love – neither today, nor tomorrow. Amen.

JEFFREY MYERS is a Presbyterian pastor serving together with his German wife, Andrea, in Frankfurt, Germany

As we learn how to deal with this ongoing crisis it is important to remember
"The presence of anxiety is unavoidable, but the prison of anxiety is optional"

With all the stress and worry about the health crisis in our country and the world, here are some words to reflect on........

Grief and Gender: Intuitive and Instrumental Grief

Intuitive grief is experienced mainly in terms of feelings and emotions – “I felt sad” or “I felt angry” – and the grief response is usually focused on exploring and expressing these emotions – “I cried all night” or “I got so mad I couldn’t think.”

Grief and Gender: Intuitive and Instrumental Grief We are usually pretty hesitant to even hint at categorizing, labeling or classifying grief. There are so many different grief

Absent Grief: Why Am I Not Grieving Like I Expected To?

Everyone grieves differently and in their own way. No one can truly anticipate what their grieving process will be like, but when it is totally different than what you expect, you may feel like something is wrong.................check it out.

Absent Grief: Why Am I Not Grieving Like I Expected To? Never have I ever heard a bereaved person exclaim, 'Grief is just as expected it to be!' Grief is full

We are seeking a licensed funeral director to join our team in providing exceptional service to the families we serve. Applicant must have at least two years experience and be able to work as part of a team. For more information and more specific job requirements please contact us.

We don't "move on" from grief. We move forward with it

Interesting talk on grief from someone who certainly has the experience and presents some interesting observations. Check it out

We don't "move on" from grief. We move forward with it In a talk that's by turns heartbreaking and hilarious, writer and podcaster Nora McInerny shares her hard-earned wisdom about life and death. Her candid approach to something that will, let's face it, affect us all, is as liberating as it is gut-wrenching. Most powerfully, she encourages us to shift...