When you have lost someone you loved, especially someone who was very near and dear to you, you need help. You need loving support from family and friends, an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on. You need help planning the funeral. You may need help just keeping the house clean and food stocked up. Sometimes you need gentle reminders to take care of yourself, to bathe, eat, and brush your teeth or hair. You may need spiritual support and guidance, such as what a pastor could provide. You may also seek professional help in managing your thoughts surrounding your grief, and that is perfectly okay.
 
It is a wonderful thing to have people in your life who can provide you with these types of necessary support as you begin to process your loss and heal from it. But not everyone has this kind of support network, and these are the people who need special consideration.
 
Are you or someone you know struggling to deal with the passing of a loved one? Below, I have compiled a list of resources that can be used as a starting point to get you the help you need. Whether a passing has already occurred or is imminent, please feel free to bookmark or share this page as needed.
 
It is my hope and prayer that you find the assistance and encouragement you are seeking.

6 Resources for Those Dealing With Loss
 
1. Samaritans Hotline
 
Are you wrestling with constant mental or emotional turmoil following the death of your loved one? If you are feeling extreme loneliness and/or having thoughts of suicide, call or text Samaritans Hotline. They are accessible 24/7. For immediate support, reach them at: 877-870-HOPE or 877-870-4673. https://samaritanshope.org/
 
2. Everplans Funeral Checklist
 
Planning a funeral is hard work. Even if you have the help of a director, it is still up to you to make and keep track of several important final decisions. The end-of-life planning experts at Everplans have created a free funeral planning checklist to help you out. Find it here: https://www.everplans.com/articles/checklist-plan-a-funeral-or-memorial-service
 
3. Next Gen Memorials
 
Next Gen Memorials has compiled a lengthy list of poems, verses and other sayings fit to be read at a funeral or memorial service. Check it out here for some extra inspiration: https://www.nextgenmemorials.com/funeral_poems_memorial_verses/
 
4. Modern Loss- Books on Grief
 
Sometimes books can be the best companions! If reading is your thing, take a look through this short list of “6 Grief Books That Actually Helped” over at https://modernloss.com/6-grief-books-actually-help/

5. Light a Candle
 
Many times, a physical gesture (such as a butterfly release or letting go of a balloon) can serve to help us say goodbye to those we love in a symbolic way. At https://gratefulness.org/light-a-candle/, the internet allows you to do this virtually. This site has reached millions of people all over the world…light your own candle there today in memory of your loved one.
 
6. A Master List of Grief Resources
 
Masters in Counseling has a giant list of 115 other resources for you to take advantage of. No matter what your needs are (and no matter what kind of grief you are dealing with-death of a loved one, child loss, job loss….), you are sure to find something helpful: https://www.mastersincounseling.org/guide/loss-grief-bereavement/ 
 
EXTRA
And if course, should you need any help writing a eulogy, you know who to turn to <3 Eulogies by Aubrey is a quality eulogy writing service available to you 24/7. Contact us today right here: http://www.eulogiesbyaubrey.com/contact.html#/
 
-Aubrey

Sometimes when writing, especially a eulogy, it really helps to listen to some beautiful music.
I discovered this pretty song recently and wanted to share...the melody and especially lyrics are beautiful. May they provide comfort for anyone who is grieving.
Enjoy <3
"Saturn" by Sleeping At Last

-Aubrey

When you hear the word eulogy, what’s the first thing that pops into your head?

If you’re like most people, you probably think of a dim-lit funeral parlor, with a person in dark attire standing at a podium, mourners gathered around with tissues held to their faces. And there’s the lonesome casket, itself profusely decorated in overly-aromatic flowers, sitting serenely nearby in the darkest corner of the room.

In your mind’s eye, the person giving the eulogy is trying very hard not to cry, while those in the pews below need not try so hard to hold back the tears. This is the traditional funeral service, and the traditional eulogy: an attempt to illustrate an entire life in the span of a few minutes, while placing much of the emphasis on the fact that this loved one is no longer with us. Most of us have attended a funeral service like this for a loved one at least once in our lives.

Perhaps we’ve also attended a not-so-traditional funeral service, such as a celebration of life. These services attempt to place the focus on who the deceased was in life, during happier times, and not so much on the fact that they have died. Eulogies can be spoken at celebrations of life, too, of course. But they do not necessarily have to meet the expectation of the morose person standing at the podium, doing their best to hold it together. Eulogies don’t even have to occur in a funeral parlor or in a place of worship. They can happen in a home, in a garden, at the beach, on a boat, over Zoom. By today’s standards, they are 100% customizable.

-Aubrey

In honor of those
Who gave years of their life
Who paid the ultimate sacrifice
Among our own flesh and blood
Among those we called our friends
And among those of legend and lore
We pay tribute this Memorial Day
And every single day.

We are grateful.
🇺🇸
~ Eulogies by Aubrey ~

How much do you charge for a eulogy?
 
I charge a one-time fee of $225 for an approximately 1000(plus)- word eulogy. Any revisions you require, within reason, are included in this charge.
 
How do I pay and when?
 
I am able to accept all major cards as well as PayPal. I do request payment before I begin work on your eulogy, simply to protect against those few who would take advantage of the reverse process.
 
How long will it take for me to speak my eulogy?
 
Depending on how much information you provide, your finished eulogy will contain 1000+ words and should generally take between six and eight minutes to deliver. If you would prefer a longer or shorter eulogy, please let me know.

How long will it take for you to finish my eulogy?
 
I will work to complete your order and have it sent back to you within 48 hours. If you need it sooner or within a certain time frame, please let me know.
 
How will you get my completed eulogy to me?
 
I will send your eulogy to the email address that you provide me on the order form. I will send it as a message and also as an attachment so that you may print/utilize it at your convenience. If you do not receive your eulogy within 48 hours, please check your spam folder. It will be sent from eulogiesbyaubrey@gmail.com.

 Can I see one of your writing samples?
 
Yes. Click here to be taken to my Eulogy Examples page.

I've already written out parts of my eulogy, but need help putting it all together and making it sound good. Can you help with that?

Absolutely! Many of my clients already have all of their thoughts on paper and simply need me to make it "speech" worthy. If this is you, email me what you have, and I'll take it from there.

My loved one has not yet passed away, but it is imminent. I'm thinking of going ahead and starting the brainstorming process for their eulogy. Can you help?

Yes. It's actually a fairly common - and even smart, I would say - move to try and get your thoughts down (things that you would like represented in your eulogy) ahead of your loved one's passing. Just let me know if this is your situation, and I am more than willing to assist you every step of the way.

Do you also offer obituary writing services?

Upon request, I offer a complimentary obituary for each eulogy order.

I have dyslexia or another disability that makes it difficult to read. Can you accommodate for my eulogy?

Absolutely. Simple fonts, larger text size, extra spacing, and/or changing the layout of your eulogy can all help to make it easier for you to read. I will work with you until we get it just right for you.

I have suffered the loss of a child. Are you still able to help?

Yes. Please note that the form on my Order page is generally for adult loss. If you have suffered miscarriage, infant or child loss, please let me know in a message here. I have a special eulogy order form for you that I will send to you.

I recently lost my pet and plan to hold a service in their memory. Would you be willing to write a eulogy for them?
 
I would be honored. Our pets are our family and losing any one of them would be the same as losing a family member. Let me know in a message here, and I will send you a separate order form.

At this time I cannot bring myself to fill out the eulogy order form. Can you still help?
 
I understand that there are times when grief knows no words. There is an art to writing quality work with little information, and I'm confident in my ability to do so. Fill out what you can of the order form, submit it, and I will let you know if any additional information is needed.

It would be easier for me to speak with you over the phone. Do you take phone consultations?

Eulogies by Aubrey operates entirely online; we do not take phone calls. Any inquiries or concerns can be sent in a message here or to my email address, eulogiesbyaubrey@gmail.com.

I am not able to pay your fee right now, but I still need help with a eulogy. What can I do?

I am very aware that not everyone has the means to hire a professional writer to assist them with their eulogy, or even family or friends who are able to help. But I believe that every loved one who has passed on deserves a quality eulogy. So I offer anyone who needs it a free eulogy template. Click here for more information. If you have questions or are in need of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
 
I see a typo in my returned eulogy draft, and I'm not happy about it. What's the next step?

While I strive to provide perfect eulogies for all of my clients, I am still human. If you have read through your returned draft and have found an error, please let me know right away, and I will be more than happy to correct it for you.

If excessive edits or changes to your eulogy are requested, to protect my time, I may require an extra charge at my discretion.

Can I request a refund?
 
I cannot provide a refund for a completed eulogy. However, if you have just paid and have decided not to use Eulogies by Aubrey, and in the case I have not already begun extensive work on your order, I would be happy to provide you with a full refund, no questions asked.

What are your hours of operation?
 
I am available 24/7/365*. For nighttime orders and email inquiries, please expect a response from me no later than the very next morning.

*It is rare, but sometimes due to personal time constraints, I will need to step away from business for a short time. During these times, there will be a pop-up on my website letting you know, and you will still be able to contact me with any questions or concerns you have.

-Aubrey

Feedback from clients is extremely important and helps me to provide the very best service I can 🙂

A few families have mentioned that our eulogy order form can be hard to fill out due to lack of field space.

Well, you spoke, and we listened 🔊 Eulogies by Aubrey has improved the order form design to include larger field spaces. It's now easier to see what you are writing and to look back on your answers before you click Submit.

Check it out here: Eulogy Writing Service

Please note, each field requires an answer before it will allow you to submit the form. If you do not wish to answer a question, please put N/A or something of the like.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns in a message here, and I will be in touch with you shortly.

Thank you!

-Aubrey

"No amount of time can erase the memory of a good cat."

That's always been one of my favorite quotes, well, because it's true. Now that I've experienced the loss of my cat Gracie, it has become even more true.

Our sweet little Gracie Lou passed away last weekend, on February 20th. She was alive in the bed next to me when we went to sleep that night, and gone by the time the sun came up. Even though she had been declining for several months, and had been actively dying over the past several days, it was still a sad realization to wake up to.

I've had Gracie in my life since I was 12, and I'm 32 now...so to say I'm heartbroken is a bit of an understatement. It's been a hard few weeks.

She was not in pain, thankfully. She would still purr when we pet her. We were in the middle of that crazy historic snow  storm during all of this, and I'm so thankful that we never lost power so that we could keep her comfortable at home.

Since I'm a eulogy writer and all, I thought it was appropriate to write her a little piece up now that I've had a little bit to think about it. She had a long and adventurous life for sure.

My dad is the one who rescued her way back then. She was just a little kitten, it was a rainy October night in 2001, and he was on his way home from his Judo lesson. He spotted her on that back road bridge in Waxahachie, cold and shivering, pulled over and picked her up. She was the only kitty around, no others, just a tiny, beautiful, black and white kitten.

When he brought her home, I pretty much claimed her as mine, lol. I named her Gracie Lou after "Miss Congeniality" (the big movie back then). She had lost her voice from crying so much, who knows how long she had been alone out there. We fed and watered her and later that night, I put her in my bed… I remember she pooped all over one of my blankets - it became hers after that!

I like to think she had a fulfilled life for a cat. She was an outside girl for a little while, but mostly she was indoors, especially once she became older. She’s had a litter of beautiful kittens, survived some close calls and a couple surgeries, and had been by my side through thick and thin, through my teenage years and then my twenties, and beyond.

My mom once told me that pets stay with us for as long as we need them…well, I must have needed Gracie a long time. This next chapter without her is going to take some getting used to. My whole family loved her very much..she was kind of this fixture that was always there, and we will all miss her.  I’m so thankful we can lay her to rest in the town she came from, and that she’ll always be close by <3

Gracie was 19 years old.

We love you baby girl, and we always will.

-Aubrey

My sister Cassie is a big "Animal Crossing" fan and has been begging me for months (years?) to try out the game. Between raising my toddler, wifey duties, running a business and just life in general, I always told her that I'd love to BUT I just don't have any time for video games right now!

Flash forward to 2020-2021-pandemic-quarantine-life and I finally gave "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" (the latest edition of the game) a whirl. And OMG am I on the bandwagon or what. My feet ain't even dangling off the edge.

It's safe to say I'm pretty much obsessed with ACNH right now.

I can see why Cassie loves it because I love it too, now. If you don't know anything at all about ACNH (like that was me just two months ago), here's a little gist: you create a character that represents you. You start and build a life on a deserted island that you get to name and become representative of. The more you build and develop your island, the more visitors you'll get. The goal is to expand your island to the point that the legendary K.K. (this singing, guitar-playing doggo) will want to accept an invite to perform a concert there. There are tons of customization options available in ACNH, and the entire game play is seriously relaxing. Many people say that it helps with their anxiety and depression levels, too, and I'm not surprised.

I mentioned customization - in the game, you can create almost any type of island with any theme or style you want. The other day I read a post about people who customize their island with cemeteries, whether as a decoration during Halloween time or as a permanent fixture.

And it got me thinking.

In the game, you can set your real life friends who are also on "Animal Crossing" as your "best friends" in the game. This means, for one thing, that you can visit one another's island, whether in real time or via "dreaming" with Luna (I'm not going to explain everything now - you'll have to try it out to find it out!) as long as you have a dream code.

With the cemeteries post, I started to think about how it would be if you were to unfortunately have a friend in real life, who was also your "best friend" in "Animal Crossing," pass away.

What would it feel like to visit their island in "dream" form, after the fact? In dream form, by the way, even if your friend is not online at the moment, you're able to see their character walking around the island, and you'll occasionally bump into them. Seemingly alive as can be, but only virtually and only in the game. What is the emotion associated with this? Is there a benefit or is this a detrimental element to this sort of experience? Would it be depressing? Macabre? Or would it be comforting?

Of course, I'm just an armchair psychologist. My chair probably doesn't even have arms if I'm being honest. But what do you think?

Just like Facebook has created ways to memorialize friends' profiles who have passed on, I think that it could be therapeutic, in a way, to create cemeteries in "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" for those we know and love, whether in real life or for our "best friends" in Animal Crossing. And I think it could be comforting, to a certain degree, to bump into these friends in a "dream" experience during game play. Just as they were (and dressed just as they were) the last time they logged in to the game.

You aren't going to know exactly what I'm talking about unless you get the game yourself on your Switch or watch some videos on it (I recommend JackSepticEye's series on it, he's hilarious). But I think you get the general idea! Let me know what you think about all of this in the comments below...it's fairly new phenomena that's only going to become more commonplace.

-Aubrey

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM EULOGIES BY AUBREY

It goes without saying, but 2020 was one for the books, in the worst possible way. If you were someone who lost a loved one this year, you were undoubtedly especially affected.

In 2020, I was honored to write eulogies for several families who lost loved ones during the pandemic. I was also privileged to pen eulogies for beloved members of my own family. Grieving was experienced in unprecedented ways during 2020. COVID made it harder for many families to come together to grieve, due to funeral home restrictions or health reasons. Still others were drawn to the idea of home funerals and/or green burial practices.

Looking to the bright side - Eulogies by Aubrey was blessed to have grown quite a lot in 2020, with this being the second year we've been in operation. Earlier this year we made our way (finally!) to the first page of Google, a major business goal I had set from the beginning. Now that I'm able to reach more people who are in need of a eulogy writer, I look forward to serving more families in the future, in my own community and beyond. And more than anything, I want to thank you for supporting my small business and for allowing me to support you in your time of need.

It's no secret that the holidays bring about all kinds of emotions and feelings for many people. If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, whether that loss was recent or occurred years ago, Christmas and New Year's have a pesky way of making that loss seem fresh all over again. If you are holding sadness and longing in your heart over the loss of your loved one, I would like to end this little blog with a quote just for you, from one of my favorite writers of all time, Anne Frank:

"What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven't even happened yet."

She was wise beyond her years.

And believe it or not right now, you have much to look forward to...you just have to keep looking forward.

From my family to yours, I wish you a safe, peaceful and hopeful New Year 2021.

-Aubrey

Hello friends and neighbors. We are in the midst of the holidays now, so I just wanted to drop a line and remind you that Eulogies by Aubrey is open on Christmas Day as well as New Year's.

In fact, my eulogy writing service operates 24/7/365. If you have experienced the loss of a loved one, have been tasked with writing their eulogy and need help getting all your thoughts organized, I am more than honored to assist you. Please let me know how I can help you in a message here, and I will be in touch with you shortly.

You can also check out my Eulogy Writing Service page and FAQ page for additional helpful information.