WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES FEBRUARY 14, 2019 29
COPING WITH DEATH
Baby boomers plan unique, yet traditional funerals
Funerals have been held since
the dawn of time to honor and
remember a departed loved one.
There is always a common thread -- the
importance of memorialization.
Now, however, with the Baby
Boomer generation, a new
element has been added to the
traditional funeral.
Calling hours and other traditional
rites are still an important part
of remembrance. But many Baby
Boomer funerals are taking on a
whole new look. They are becoming
very personalized remembrances
-- reflecting the individual and his
or her interests in life.
We know that the ancient
Egyptians buried artifacts to help
the departed spirit in the afterlife.
Excavated tombs have yielded
myriad items including games and
tools that the spirit might want.
It is interesting to note that this
practice is popular once more as
Baby Boomers request their favorite
sports equipment such as golf clubs,
tennis balls and team jerseys be
placed in the casket.
Mountain bikes and canoes have
been displayed during calling
hours. Even the casket can become
a reminder of the Baby Boomers’
interest in sports.
A New York City funeral director
said that a departed football fan was
laid to rest in a casket featuring a
Notre Dame logo and team colors on
panels and the corner caps.
In Upstate New York, one funeral
featured a jazz band playing on the
porch of the funeral home.
Another funeral highlighted the
departed’s interest in handicapping
horse races by simulating his kitchen
- complete with tip sheets and race
results broadcast from a radio.
Baby Boomers are also known
for their interest in preserving the
environment.
At several sites in New York State,
as well as in other parts of the
country, “green” cemeteries and
natural burial plots are available.
There are no underground vaults,
no mausoleums and minimal
landscaping so the cemetery grounds
are kept in a more natural state.
Some families have asked funeral
directors to have a tree planted in
memory of the departed loved one,
thus helping to renew forest life.
There are companies that blend
cremated remains with concrete
to form reef structures then place
them in selected ocean sites to form
undersea “memorial reefs.”
These reefs are ecologically
beneficial because they form
a natural habitat for undersea
creatures.
Today’s funeral director is likely
to be a Baby Boomer and more than
happy to arrange a funeral for you
that will be truly memorable and a
celebration of your life.
So when you start to preplan
your funeral, be sure to discuss
your desires with your family and
your neighborhood funeral director
so that you, too, can have a truly
personalized funeral.
Courtesy of NYS Funeral Directors
Association
Lillian Irwin died peacefully on Friday, February 8, 2019 at
the age of 89. She is remembered as a Generous, loving
individual who was passionate about her family and friends.
Lillian’s loved ones to cherish her memories are;
her son William Irwin; her daughter Elizabeth
Hasenbein along with their spouses Karen and Robert;
her three grandchildren Christopher along with
His wife, Marie, Stephen and Michael; her great
grandson Cooper and her beloved brother Francis
Hickson along with many loving family members
and friends.
The viewing will be held on Friday, February 15th
during the hours of 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
And 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Leo F. Kearns Funeral
Home located at 6140 Woodhaven Blvd.,
Rego Park, NY 11374. The funeral service will be held on
Saturday, February 16th at 9:30 a.m.
At St. Pancras Church, 72-22 68th Street,
Glendale, NY 11385.
IN MEMORIAM
ANNIVERSARY IN HEAVEN
In Loving Memory of
THOMAS WRENN JR.
To my beautiful son,
I loved you your whole life and
I will miss you for the rest of my life.
Until we meet again I will hold you
in my heart. Give your mother
a kiss & hug for me. You are forever
loved & missed,
Dad
Antoinette L. Nichols (“Toni” & “Toots”)
passed away 4 years ago (02/17/15)
in Endicott, NY.
Toni was a long-time resident of Maspeth,
NY and Ridgewood, NY and a faithful member
of Miraculous Medal parish.
She was the loving and devoted mother of
Toni Sherling (Larry), Francine Freitag
(Wolf), the late Chuck Nichols, Bill Nichols
and the late Michael Nichols.
“Grandma Toots” cherished and loved her many
grandchildren and great-grandchildren,
cared deeply for her countless family members
and friends and will always be missed
by those who were blessed to know
and love her.
We believe she’s smiling down on all of us as she
enjoys her well-deserved eternal rest.
Family can be reached at 623-512-8234
(daughter Francine)
Hess-Miller Funeral Home
��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
ANTHONY J. MARTINO, Lic. Mgr.
DAVID L. MARTINO, Director
Owned By Martino F.H., Inc. Since 1982
1-718-821-6660 or 1-800-479-6419
Serving Ridgewood, Maspeth,
Middle Village & Glendale
������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
����������������������������������������������������������������������
������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
64-19 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village, N.Y.
www.hessmillerfuneralhome.com
/www.hessmillerfuneralhome.com
/WWW.QNS.COM
/www.hessmillerfuneralhome.com
