Skip to content
Guided Departures
  • Funeral Planning & Logistics
  • End-of-Life Preparedness
  • Grief Support & Resources
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Me
  • Services
Guided Departures
  • Stack of documents with a black pen on top near a window, representing a living will
    End-of-Life Preparedness

    What Is a Living Will? Protect Your Medical Choices Today

    ByErika

    Imagine you are in a medical crisis. You are not able to speak for yourself and your loved ones are not sure what you would want. Making your final wishes known ahead of time can help reduce stress, confusion, and disagreements. This is where a living will comes in. A living will is one of…

    Read More What Is a Living Will? Protect Your Medical Choices TodayContinue

  • Winding garden path with soft puddles and greenery after rain, peaceful and reflective scene for anticipatory grief
    Grief Support & Resources

    Anticipatory Grief: Understanding It Before the Loss

    ByErika

    Grief doesn’t always wait until after someone dies. Sometimes, it starts the moment you realize that loss is inevitable. That heavy, confusing mix of sadness, fear, and helplessness? That’s anticipatory grief. It’s real, it’s deeply emotional, it’s heavy, and it often shows up when a loved one is nearing the end of life — long…

    Read More Anticipatory Grief: Understanding It Before the LossContinue

  • Pastel sky with a wooden bench at sunrise, symbolic and calming image for pre-planning a funeral.
    End-of-Life Preparedness

    15 Questions to Ask Yourself When Pre-Planning a Funeral

    ByErika

    Pre-planning a funeral might feel like a tough subject, but it’s one of the most thoughtful things you can do for your loved ones. It helps reduce stress, eliminates uncertainty, and allows your family to grieve without being overwhelmed by decisions. If you’re considering pre-planning a funeral, these are 15 questions I recommend asking yourself…

    Read More 15 Questions to Ask Yourself When Pre-Planning a FuneralContinue

  • Five stages of grief represented by a peaceful sunrise over misty hills, symbolizing acceptance and emotional healing
    Grief Support & Resources

    Understanding the 5 Stages of Grief: What to Expect and How to Cope

    ByErika

    Understanding the 5 stages of grief can help you or someone you care about process a loss with more compassion and clarity. Whether you’re grieving the death of a loved one, a life-changing diagnosis, or any deep personal loss, these stages offer a helpful framework — not a rigid rulebook. Let’s talk about what the…

    Read More Understanding the 5 Stages of Grief: What to Expect and How to CopeContinue

  • phrases to say to someone who is grieving
    Grief Support & Resources

    15 Thoughtful Phrases to Say to Someone Who Is Grieving

    ByErika

    Knowing what to say when someone is grieving can be incredibly hard. You want to offer comfort, but you also don’t want to say the wrong thing. That pressure often leads people to avoid the conversation altogether — but your words, even simple ones, can make a difference. This list of 15 thoughtful phrases to…

    Read More 15 Thoughtful Phrases to Say to Someone Who Is GrievingContinue

  • A soft arrangement of lilies and roses beside a framed photo of two smiling women, symbolizing remembrance, support, and how to offer condolences with love
    Grief Support & Resources

    How to Offer Condolences Without Saying the Wrong Thing

    ByErika

    Knowing how to offer condolences can feel overwhelming. You want to be supportive, but you’re worried about saying the wrong thing — or worse, making things harder for someone already in pain. Grief is deeply personal, and there’s no one-size-fits-all way to respond. But there are ways to show up with compassion, kindness, and authenticity….

    Read More How to Offer Condolences Without Saying the Wrong ThingContinue

  • A quiet and comforting living room scene with a book titled "Holding Space" and a cup of tea, symbolizing reflection and support during grief.
    Grief Support & Resources

    What Not to Say to Someone Who Is Grieving

    ByErika

    What not to say to someone who is grieving matters more than we sometimes realize. When someone is grieving, words carry weight — and the wrong ones, even with good intentions, can deepen their pain. It’s natural to want to offer comfort, but some of the phrases we reach for can come across as dismissive,…

    Read More What Not to Say to Someone Who Is GrievingContinue

  • A soft natural light funeral setting with floral arrangements near the casket, offering a peaceful space to reflect on what is a viewing.
    Funeral Planning & Logistics

    What Is a Viewing?

    ByErika

    What is a viewing? It’s a question many people ask when facing the loss of a loved one.Have you ever attended a viewing? If not, I understand how overwhelming it can feel — wanting to show up and offer support, but not knowing exactly what to expect. This quiet gathering gives loved ones a chance…

    Read More What Is a Viewing?Continue

  • How to choose between burial and cremation represented by a peaceful sunlit cemetery path with soft light and greenery
    Uncategorized

    How to Choose Between Burial and Cremation: A Simple Guide for Making the Right Choice

    ByErika

    Trying to figure out how to choose between burial and cremation can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already grieving or making plans under stress. This choice is deeply personal, emotional, and sometimes confusing. I am going to talk to you about the key differences, emotional considerations, and practical details — so you can make the…

    Read More How to Choose Between Burial and Cremation: A Simple Guide for Making the Right ChoiceContinue

  • A quiet writing scene symbolizing reflection and thoughtfulness when considering what to say to someone on hospice.
    Grief Support & Resources

    What to Say to Someone on Hospice: Words That Truly Help

    ByErika

    What to say to someone on hospice isn’t always clear, and it can feel overwhelming when someone you care about is going through this. You want to provide comfort, but the fear of saying the wrong thing can leave you silent. The truth is, you don’t need perfect words — what matters most is your…

    Read More What to Say to Someone on Hospice: Words That Truly HelpContinue

Page navigation

1 2 Next PageNext

© 2025 Guided Departures - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP

  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Me
  • Services
Search