Funeral director encourages all to "Have the Talk of a Lifetime"

WARWICK — People talk about many things with their loved ones: from day-to-day details to big events. Sharing stories with those who matter most isn’t just important today; it will be especially significant when it’s time to commemorate a life. Lazear-Smith and Vander Plaat Memorial Home is participating in "Have the Talk of a Lifetime," a national effort to encourage families to have conversations about life and what matters most. These discussions can help families make important decisions about how they wish to remember and honor the lives of their loved ones.

Through meaningful memorialization – that is, taking time to reflect on the unique life of a loved one and remember the difference they made – families and friends take an important step in the journey toward healing after death.

Individuals and their families have more options for memorializing their loved one at the end of life. From simple to very elaborate, there are a variety of ways a family can honor their loved one in a personal and meaningful way.

“Memorialization is so much more than it used to be,” said Roger Vander Plaat, funeral director. “It can reflect a person’s life story, their values, interests and experiences. It is in many ways transformative, healing and comforting. Meaningful memorialization starts when loved ones talk about what matters most: memories made, lessons learned and how they hope to be remembered.”

Lazear-Smith and Vander Plaat Memorial Home is offering individuals and families a free brochure, "Have the Talk of a Lifetime," that will help them begin a conversation about life.

“It’s not easy to talk about death,” said Vander Plaat “I think this brochure will be particularly helpful because it focuses on life, rather than the details of a service. It’s life stories – family vacations, pieces of advice, favorite pastimes – that will help you remember those who matter most and begin to heal after they die.”

Visit the Lazear-Smith and Vander Plaat Memorial Home Web site, www.LSVPMemorialHome.com, to watch a video and download your free "Have the Talk of a Lifetime" brochure.

Please call Lazear-Smith and Vander Plaat Memorial Home at 845 986-4331 or stop by the office located at 17 Oakland Ave. Warwick, NY to request a free copy of the brochure.

“We are here to support and encourage people as they have the talk with their loved ones,” said Vander Plaat “Please call us if we can help you or if we can provide additional information about your memorialization options.”

The "Have the Talk of a Lifetime" campaign is sponsored by the Funeral and Memorial Information Council.