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Christman's Chronicles

Sharing Our Experience with Valuable Advice and Information

PHONE: (717) 272-7431

EMAIL: christmansfuneralhome@gmail.com

Laughter can indeed be the Best Medicine.

The service we plan for your loved one reflects his or her life as a celebration of the personality as well as the person.

Many are remembered for a special sense of humor, and this is reflected in the service. It becomes a forum to share stories, many of them humorous. This is not only a good idea, but a way to be thankful for having your loved one be

part of your life. The sharing invariably has a healing effect on the lives he or she touched.

Here are some things to consider when incorporating humor into what is normally a respectful and somber occasion:

• Assuming the deceased was a close friend or family member, you likely have a feel for his or her personality, and plan remarks that reflect that love and affection for the person.
• Don’t create the remarks in isolation. Try them out on other close friends ahead of time. You don’t want to surprise people at the service with remarks that seem inappropriate. Also, the other friends and relatives probably have stories of their own. Their stories could be added to the remarks or replace the ones you came up with originally.
• The key word here is “celebration”. The humor you provide at the service, should enhance the life of the deceased and make the tribute special. Ask yourself, would he or she be smiling with you?

Explaining Military Flag Folding

When you think of military services with a funeral home one might think of the folded flag in a triangle shape. This ceremony is practiced to keep pride in our country. Even though the sources of why this is done is unknown, the 13 meanings can create a positive and uplifting experience.

1. The first fold, of our flag is a symbol of life.
2. The second fold, signifies our belief in eternal life.
3. The third fold, is made in honor and tribute of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace.
4. The fourth fold, exemplifies our weaker nature as citizens trusting in God; it is to Him we turn for His divine guidance.
5. The fifth fold, is a eulogy to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.”
6. The sixth fold, is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
7. The seventh fold, is a tribute to our armed forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies.
8. The eighth fold, is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
9. The ninth fold, is an honor to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty, and devotion that the character of men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
10. The tenth fold, is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first-born.
11. The eleventh fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
12. The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.
13. The last fold, when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”