funeral homes Archives • Blog | Found and Sons Funeral Chapels & Cremation Service

Thanking Our Veterans

Veterans Day

Veterans Day is our day to give thanks to the men and women who have served in the military. On this upcoming Veterans Day, we hope that you join us in taking a moment to reflect on the sacrifices veterans have made and thank a veteran in your community.

A History – Celebration and Tribute

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Ways to Show Appreciation

The sense of pride in all veterans is tantamount to the preservation of our freedoms and way of life. Thank a veteran every day, not just on Veterans Day.” Here are some ways you can say “thanks.”

Attend services and observances in your area
Donate – There are plenty of organizations that offer all manner of support, services, and appreciation for our service members. To get a few ideas for donations, you can click here.
Fly the American flag
Ask someone about their service
Write – If you know a veteran, write a simple postcard or e-card that recognizes them on Veterans Day. Small acts of recognizing someone’s service, even anonymously, are appreciated.
Spend time with a Veteran outdoors – Being outside helps improve physical and mental health, boosts emotional well-being, and is a great way to celebrate the day with a veteran

Veteran’s Services

We truly believe that the men and women who answered our nation’s call embody the ideals Americans hold so dear. Because they have proven their devotion to their fellow citizens and to a grateful nation, we all owe them the same respect and devotion in return. We are proud to honor those who have served. To learn more about Veteran’s Services or to see if you or a Veteran you know is eligible, click here.

Always There, No Matter How Far

You Don’t Need to Be Close to Have Closure

One of the hardest things we may endure in life is losing a loved one. During the grieving process, many people find the closure they need by attending the funeral. Unfortunately, due to varying circumstances, your loved ones may not be able to attend the funeral. This inadvertently may cause more grief and may lead to feelings of guilt.

To make things easier for those who are unable to attend, Found and Sons has integrated a live-streaming feature that friends and family can utilize. Your friends and family now have the ability to be there for the service no matter the circumstances preventing them from attending. While watching a live-stream of their loved one’s service, they will have the ability to select between two cameras. One camera is positioned to focus on the speaker at the podium and to view the casket or urn. The second camera allows for an overall view from the back of the chapel and also allows viewers to see the casket exit with the pallbearers.

Invitation to View the Service

Once a director has scheduled the service to be live-streamed, an email will be sent to designated family members. The email can then be forwarded and shared with whomever you choose to share the invitation with. Found and Sons also provide the option of putting the link to view the service on your loved one’s obituary page. Since your privacy is important to us, this option is entirely up to you.

Viewing the Service Details and Obituary

By clicking on the link, you will be taken to a new screen. Depending on what time you click the link, it will either display a picture of your loved one or it will be showing the live stream if the service start time has been reached.

Event Tab

Here, you will find details such as the name of the deceased, date of the service, and the time.

Venue Tab

Under this tab, you can see which chapel the service is being held at, the chapel’s phone number, the director’s email address, and the memorial page of the deceased.

Front Camera

This angle provides a closer view of the speaker and arrangement.

Guest Camera

This angle provides an overview of the service.

Found and Sons are excited to provide this new feature for the families we serve. It will give people the opportunity to be a part of something that they otherwise would have missed. In the past, this industry hasn’t been known for technological advancements, so this feature is truly a blessing. Now you can be assured that friends and family, near and far, will be there to honor and celebrate you. If you have been considering pre-planning to make things easier for your family, click here to get started. We are available to answer any questions that you may have.

An Interview with Funeral Director, Ray Rhodes

How long have you been a funeral director? What were you before you became a funeral director?

I have been a funeral director for about 8 years. I worked for Coca-Cola as a Sales Manager.

What led you to this profession?

I started out part time working for Found and Sons and liked the business. Sam Found asked me if I wanted to become a Director. I really liked what I was doing and felt like I was helping people, so I decided to go for it.

What is the most rewarding part of doing what you do?

Helping families that are having the most difficult time in their lives.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

Every morning I view all the cases we have in our care to make sure every individual is being cared for appropriately. After that, it’s emails, giving out work assignments for the day to my staff, checking on the services that are scheduled to make sure we have completed any tasks that are needed (confirming ministers, church availability, staffing, etc..), transporting individuals for cremation, embalming as needed, and reviewing building maintenance.

What is one misconception that you think people have about funeral directors?

That funeral directors don’t care about their loved one and that we are only interested in selling the most expensive services to them. With every family, I try to provide them with the best information available for them to make decisions that they are comfortable and satisfied with.

If there is one thing that you could inform people about in regard to this industry, what would it be?

Start planning now! We will all eventually need the services of a funeral home, whether it is for ourselves or for a loved one. It is much easier to make decisions about what services you will want before someone passes away. Making those decisions after someone has passed is inherently more difficult when you are in a difficult emotional situation.

What advice would you give someone who is considering becoming a Funeral Director?

Work in the field first, even part time. Yes the industry is interesting, but it is not for everyone. Most directors have a preference on the types of duties they enjoy, and some that are difficult for them. Without hands-on experience, it is difficult to fully understand what this vocation requires of an individual.

How does being a Funeral Director play into your life compared to having a “normal” job How do you manage to keep a good balance of work life and personal life?

Being a funeral director does not always leave a lot of time and energy for personal time. Take the time when you can. You will spend many days dealing with other people’s personal crisis’s, but it is important to separate your personal life from this. This is not difficult for me; however, it can be very taxing on some people.

What do you enjoy most about living and working in the Fredericksburg area?

Fredericksburg is a great place to work and bring up a family. There is a huge amount of history here, and many things to do as well. Of course, this area is growing, but it still has the home town feel about it.

Who is one person that inspires you?

The person that inspires me most would be Jesus Christ. Without forcing my religious views on anyone, he is my pick because he preached love and caring for all people. I think we all should take time to look at ourselves and strive to overcome our faults and help others to overcome theirs.

How to Talk to Your Parents about Preplanning

Here at Found and Sons Funeral Chapels & Cremation Service, we’ve noticed in recent years that more and more people in Culpeper and Fredericksburg are planning their own funeral ahead of time. And some choose to do it rather early in life – many as soon as they retire. These people realize that not only are they taking the opportunity to express their own desires about their farewell, they’re removing a huge burden from their family. When the time comes, there will be no guessing and no arguments about what they would have wanted. Everything will be right there, in black and white.

For those who do preplan, it’s easy for them to see the benefits and to want to encourage others to do the same – especially their own parents. Many people encourage their aging parents to take care of practical items like a will or an advanced health directive. But making funeral prearrangements can be just as important and should be included in those end-of-life discussions.

But it can be hard to broach the topic with your mom or dad. What’s the best way to approach the subject without causing offense or making them uncomfortable? We have several tips we can offer:

Begin by acknowledging it’s not an easy topic to talk about. No one wants to think about their own death, and you certainly don’t want to dwell on how you will feel when your parents are gone.
Point out that death is a part of life, and we simply don’t know when the moment will come.
Explain why this will be helpful to you and your family. Express your desire to follow their wishes when it comes to their remembrance and final disposition.
Recognize the truth about your health or your parent’s health. If your mother or father is in poor health, the reasons to plan are even more urgent.
If you’ve preplanned yourself, tell them some of the reasons you made that choice. Most likely, the love for your family and desire to make your death easier for them will be at the top of the list.
Make sure your parents know they don’t have to tell you every aspect of their plan right now. They can meet privately with our caring team here at Found and Sons, or complete their arrangements online whenever and wherever they’re most comfortable.
On the other hand, you might offer to help them make their plans.
Reassure them of your love and their importance in your life. Tell them you hope you won’t need these plans for many years to come, but explain that this will bring you peace of mind, knowing things will be handled the way they would have wished. It’s truly a gift of love.

At Found and Sons, we are here to help you and your whole family with funeral prearrangements. We can even provide you with an example of how this conversation might go for you. Reach out to us anytime, or you can find more information or begin the planning process right here on our online home.

Funeral Service Options; What is Best for my Loved One?

Four Types of Funeral Ceremonies

Planning a funeral involves many personal decisions concerning how you or your loved one wish to be laid to rest. We often hear questions from the Culpeper and Fredericksburg families we serve about the major differences between the funeral options we offer and what will fit best for their wishes, traditions, preferences, and budget. The team at Found and Sons Funeral Chapels & Cremation Service is always ready with the answers to those questions, and we can walk you through each decision. So, what are some of the most common questions we hear when it comes time to plan a service? Here are a few:

What is a graveside service?

A graveside service is a service held at the site of burial. It is typically a brief service where family and friends can say their final goodbyes. In most cases, the casket or urn is present. Friends and family gather at the site, a eulogy is delivered, and the service is concluded with a committal and a prayer said over the grave. The term committal refers to the body of the deceased being entrusted to the ground. Graveside services are most often held following a funeral service.

What is a funeral service?

At a funeral service the casketed remains are present, and the service is typically held soon after death occurs. Generally, the funeral service is held in a church setting or funeral h

ome, but services may also be held in the home or a place that holds special meaning. During the service, clergy, family,

and friends may choose to speak about the deceased and the life that was lived. Commemorating the loved one is also an important part of the funeral service. Memory tables, photo boards, tribute videos, special music, and personal clothing

can be used to communicate the unique personality of the loved one in a dignified way.

What is a memorial service?

A memorial service is a service where there are no casketed remains, but in some cases, an urn may be present. Memorial services are usually held in the funeral home. Because the body of the loved one is not present, a memorial service does not need to be held within several days of the death and can be delayed to meet the needs of the family. Like a funeral service, a memorial service presents many opportunities to commemorate the loved one through the use of personalization options, flowers, or vehicles.

What is scattering?

Scattering refers to a meaningful act of disposing the cremated remains in such a way that it can represent a permanent oneness with an important place. Scattering in a river, lake, at sea, over mountains, farms, and even golf courses are not uncommon – provided a permit can be secured and that local and state laws are followed. Found and Sons can help you coordinate the scattering and advise you of any local ordinances prohibiting scattering. Many cemeteries offer “scattering gardens” with the added benefit of memorialization. A scattering urn is especially designed to hold the cremated remains until the scattering ceremony, or it can be used as a memento or keepsake afterwards. Be sure to consult your clergy as some religions will permit cremation but not allow scattering.

Whether you are planning for immediate need now or preplanning for the future, know that we are here for you 24 hours a day to answer your questions. If you do not find your answers here or on our website, you can always reach out to us for the help and answers you need.