May 10, 2025

Celebrating/Honoring Mothers

To Our Beloved Mothers

Today I’m sharing a few ideas for making the mother(s) in your life feel celebrated like the queens they are. Let’s face it: moms make the world go around. No matter how helpful our partners are (and some dads truly are superheroes), I don’t think anyone would argue the fact that mothers are the engine behind the operation. They know what everyone needs and when they need it. They juggle family dynamics and write lists and research nutrition and cleaning supplies and understand who their children are at the deepest level. Also, moms share food, use shirts to wipe snotty noses, and lay awake at night praying for guidance, wisdom, and safety over her family as they begin the whole thing over the next morning. Moms give of theirselves wholly, without a second thought, day in and day out.

So, they we deserve a nice little Mother’s Day weekend. Husbands, if you’re reading this, take notes.

HISTORY OF MOTHERS DAY:

I decided to look up the history of Mother’s Day and boy howdy am I glad I did. It literally was never intended to be celebrated the way that it currently is. The very first sentence on Wikipedia says, “Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society.” I feel like that sentence right there proves my point and I don’t really need to go any further but you know me and I know I want to hear more of the history of Mother’s Day. In the United States, Mother’s Day was initiated by Julia Ward Howe and Anna Jarvis. Julia was a peace activist and suffragette. Anna was also a peace activist. Julia first made her Mother’s Day proclamation in 1870, while Anna started her campaign for Mother’s Day in 1905 when her mother died. Julia Ward Howe urged the creation of Mother’s Day to celebrate peace and to promote “amicable settlement of international questions, the great and general interests of peace”. Anna wanted to honor this and argued that a mother is “the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world”. While the proposal was originally rejected in 1908 by 1911 all states were celebrating Mother’s Day. It was in 1914 that Woodrow Wilson signed the proclamation making Mother’s Day the second Sunday in May. It didn’t take long for Anna to regret founding Mother’s Day. By the early 1920’s Mother’s Day had already started to become commercialized, with Hallmark selling Mother’s Day cards, with the candy and flower industries following suit. Anna eventually started protesting Mother’s Day. While Mother’s Day was a success in the United States other countries were concerned with the narrow definition of Mother’s Day focusing on biological definition. Constance Adelaide Smith advocated for a Mothering Day instead.

Way to Honor Your Mothers Memory:

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the love, sacrifice, and warmth that mothers bring into our lives. But for those who have lost their mothers, this day can be filled with deep sorrow and longing. If you’re grieving this Mother’s Day, know that your feelings are valid, and you are not alone.

1. Create a Memorial Tribute

Light a candle, display her favorite flowers, or set up a small memorial space with photos and keepsakes. Writing a letter to her or sharing stories with loved ones can also bring comfort.

2. Visit Her Resting Place

Spending time at her gravesite or a place that was special to her can be a peaceful way to feel connected. Bring flowers, a handwritten note, or simply sit in quiet reflection.

3. Continue Her Traditions

Did your mother have a favorite recipe, hobby, or charity she supported? Honoring her legacy by baking her signature dish, donating in her name, or engaging in her passions keeps her spirit alive.

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Our Blogs

Finding humor in funeral service

By Ron Poston • November 23, 2025

Finding Levity in Loss: Why Some Funeral Directors Use Humor Death is an uncomfortable subject for many people. That discomfort often extends to how we feel about the funeral profession itself. For many, the first time they step into a funeral home is after the passing of a loved one. Because of that association, funeral homes and those who work in them are often unfairly linked with morbidity. However, it can be surprising to learn that funeral directors are not the somber, eerie figures portrayed in movies or storybooks. In reality, they are compassionate professionals who balance sensitivity with practicality—and, sometimes, even a touch of humor. While not every funeral director chooses to use comedy, some do. But why would someone in such a serious profession try to be funny? There are several meaningful reasons. 1. Humor Eases Discomfort Death makes people uneasy. It’s difficult to confront our own mortality, and painful to face a future without the people we love. Funeral directors understand this better than anyone. They know that humor, when used thoughtfully, can help ease that discomfort. A lighthearted comment or a moment of laughter can be disarming in the best way—it breaks tension, allowing people to feel a little more human in a deeply emotional setting. In those moments, laughter doesn’t trivialize grief; it helps make an unbearable situation just a little easier to bear. Funeral directors are often highly empathetic and adaptable individuals. Their goal is to provide comfort in whatever form a family most needs. For some, that comfort comes through quiet understanding. For others, it might come from a brief, unexpected moment of levity. 2. Laughter Helps Us Cope with Grief Laughter is more powerful than it seems. It strengthens the immune system, releases endorphins, and even reduces pain. In the context of grief, humor has been shown to ease emotional suffering. Research has found that widows and widowers who were able to laugh and smile when remembering their loved ones experienced lower levels of depression and anxiety. While laughter cannot erase grief, it can help transform it into something more manageable. Grief doesn’t vanish after the funeral—it evolves. Over time, it becomes what’s known as integrated grief: a gentler, ongoing presence that we carry with us. Continuing to find humor in life helps keep that grief from overwhelming us. Funeral directors may not be therapists, but by allowing moments of levity, they can support families as they begin their healing journey. 3. Humor Reduces Stress During Funeral Planning Planning a funeral is inherently stressful. There are countless decisions to make, and the pressure to “get it right” for a loved one can be immense. Families often question whether their choices truly reflect the wishes of the person they’ve lost. In such emotionally charged moments, a bit of humor can be grounding. Physiologically, laughter triggers a short-term stress response—raising heart rate and blood pressure—but then brings them down to calmer levels, leaving the body relaxed. It also releases muscle tension and improves mood, making it easier to face difficult tasks. A funeral director who uses gentle humor may be doing so intentionally—to ease your burden, help you breathe, and remind you that it’s okay to find light even in darkness. 4. Humor Encourages Healing and Living Funeral directors spend their careers talking about death, but they also deeply understand life. They know that when someone walks through their doors, they are often in one of the hardest moments of their existence. Part of their role is to remind grieving families that it’s okay to keep living—and that joy and sorrow can coexist. After a loss, people often experience acute grief, a stage in which everyday life can feel impossible. Laughing may even feel wrong. But humor, used with compassion, can gently open the door back to life. 5. Every Funeral Director Is Different Not every funeral director incorporates humor into their work—and that’s perfectly fine. Some prefer a more formal or traditional approach. But for those who do bring levity into their profession, it’s done with care, empathy, and respect. Their goal isn’t to minimize loss, but to make a painful process a little lighter, a little more human. Funeral directors are not the ominous figures of fiction. They are caring professionals who guide families through some of life’s most difficult transitions. And sometimes, with the right touch, a shared laugh can be one of the most healing gestures of all.