francis-v-kloecker-fh-343561

How to Talk to Aging Parents About End of Life Planning

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 02:05:45 GMT

How to Talk to Your Parents About End of Life Planning Before It is Too Late...

You have been meaning to have this conversation for a while.

Maybe it came up after a health scare. Maybe you watched a friend's family struggle through an unexpected loss with no plan in place. Maybe you just know, somewhere in the back of your mind, that your parents are getting older and nobody has talked about any of this.

And it keeps not happening.

I understand why. This conversation feels like you are giving up on your parent. Like bringing it up means you have accepted something you are not ready to accept.

But here is what I have learned in seven years of sitting with families after a loss. The families who struggle the most are almost always the ones who never had this conversation.

I am Adrienne Kloecker Kalivoda. I am the owner and funeral director at Kloecker Funeral Home in Erie, PA. Here is how to start.

Pick the Right Moment

Do not try to have this conversation at Thanksgiving dinner. Do not bring it up in the middle of a hospital visit when everyone is already scared.

Look for a quiet moment. A Sunday afternoon. A drive. A walk. Somewhere low stakes and unhurried.

You can start simply. Mom, I want to make sure I know what you want someday. Not because anything is wrong. Because I love you and I do not want to have to guess.

Frame It as Love, Not Loss

Most parents do not want to burden their children. When you frame this conversation as a gift you are asking them to give you, it changes things.

Tell them the truth. Tell them you watched someone else go through this without a plan and you saw how hard it was. Tell them you want to get it right. Tell them you want to honor them the way they deserve.

That is not a conversation about death. That is a conversation about love.

What to Actually Ask

You do not need to have every answer in one conversation. Start with the big ones.

Do you want to be buried or cremated? Do you have a preference about where? Is there a church or place that matters to you? Is there anyone you would want there or anything specific you would want at a service?

Write it down. Even rough notes on your phone are better than nothing.

What If They Do Not Want to Talk About It

Some parents shut this conversation down immediately. It is too morbid. They do not want to think about it.

Respect that and try again another time. You can also try a side door. Have you ever thought about pre-planning? I was reading about it and it seemed like something worth looking into.

Sometimes people need a few approaches before they are ready.

What If the Conversation Cannot Wait

If your parent is seriously ill or declining, you may not have the luxury of waiting for the perfect moment.

In that case, be gentle and be direct. I want to make sure we do right by you. Can we talk about what you want?

That is enough. You do not need a script. You just need to ask.

What Comes After the Conversation

Once you know what your parent wants, write it down somewhere your family can find it. Consider coming in together to pre-plan formally. A pre-arrangement at Kloecker takes about an hour, everything is documented, and your family never has to guess.

That is the goal. Not a perfect conversation. Just enough information that when the time comes, you can focus on grieving instead of deciding.

If you want to talk through how to start this conversation or what pre-planning involves, call us.

Adrienne Kloecker Kalivoda

Kloecker Funeral Home in Erie, PA. 814-454-0156.

What to Expect at a Funeral Arrangement Meeting in Erie, PA

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 01:37:40 GMT

What to Expect at a Funeral Arrangement Meeting in Erie, PA

Most people have never sat across from a funeral director before.

You walk in during the hardest week of your life, into a building you have never been in, to make decisions you have never made. And you are supposed to know what to do.

You are not supposed to know. That is what I am here for.

I am Adrienne Kloecker Kalivoda, funeral director at Kloecker Funeral Home and Crematory in Erie, PA. I have been doing this for seven years. And one of the things I do before every arrangement meeting is prepare, so that you do not have to.

Here is exactly what to expect when you walk through our door.

Before You Arrive

When you call us, I am already listening. I want to know about your person before you ever sit down with me. That phone call is not just logistics. It is the beginning of us figuring out together how to honor someone who mattered.

Between that call and your appointment, I review everything you have told me. I think through what decisions you are going to face and where you might need the most guidance. I prepare questions so that I do not waste your time.

I also pray. I ask for the right words. This is a ministry to me, not a transaction.

When You Walk In

I open the door myself.

We sit down in a quiet space. There is no rush. You do not need to have anything figured out before you come in. That is what the meeting is for.

The first thing I am going to ask you is to tell me about them. Not about the arrangements. About the person you lost.

That is where we start. Every time.

What We Actually Decide

Once you have had a chance to talk about your loved one, we move through the decisions together. Here is what most families need to address in an arrangement meeting.

Whether burial or cremation is right for your family. There is no right answer. There is only the answer that honors your person and gives your family peace.

What kind of service you want. A traditional funeral with a visitation. A memorial service after cremation. A graveside service. A celebration of life. All of it is available and none of it is lesser than another.

The practical details. The date and time. The church or venue if you have one. The cemetery. The obituary.

Any personal touches that make the service actually feel like them. Music. Readings. A photo display. Something they loved. These things matter more than any merchandise.

What You Do Not Have to Decide Right Away

A good funeral director tells you what is urgent and what can wait. I will tell you clearly which decisions need to be made today and which ones you have time for.

You will not leave that meeting confused. You will leave knowing exactly what is happening and when. And you will leave knowing that your person is being cared for.

One More Thing...

You are allowed to ask about price. It is actually required by law that we give you an itemized price list. At Kloecker we are transparent about cost because families deserve to make informed decisions, not feel pressured ones.

If you are in Erie and you have questions before you ever need us, ask them. I answer every one.

Kloecker Funeral Home and Crematory has been serving Erie families since 1930. Call us at 814-454-0156 or visit kloeckerfuneralhome.com.

Online Obituaries vs. Printed Obituary- What's the Difference?

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 01:10:28 GMT

Has the digital age "buried" the traditional printed obituary?

To start off, no, you are not legally required to put an obituary in the newspaper. For many years we were able to place a small death notice for free. Today, the small death notice costs $39. Over the years I’ve seen the price of the newspaper go up and up, just like everything else in the world. At the same time, the need for an obituary in the paper has gone down. Many worry about reaching the older generation who still subscribe to the paper and that is a fair concern. When you weigh the pros and cons of the online obituary vs. the printed version, odds are you won’t worry about the small amount of people who may see it in the paper. Let’s dive into four reasons to consider our online obituary option over the traditional printed obituary.

1. Cost

Let’s be honest — newspaper obits can be pricey. You pay by the line, and it adds up fast. A single-day notice can easily run a few hundred dollars. The obituary on our website? It’s completely free. We include it for every family, no extra charge.

2. Who Sees It

A newspaper reaches people who still read the print edition — mostly a local, older crowd. Online, your loved one’s obituary is available 24/7 and easy to share with friends and family near and far — even out of the country. Most people find it through a quick Google search or from a Facebook post.

3. How Long It Lasts

The newspaper runs it once. That’s it. Our website keeps the obituary up forever. You can go back to it next week, next year, or on their birthday five years from now. It becomes a permanent place for people to visit, remember, and share memories.

4. What You Can Include

Online, we can post photos, full stories, donation links, and guests can leave messages. It’s more personal and way more flexible.

Newspapers limit space and don’t allow extras without a fee.

So What Should You Do?

Some families still like to use the newspaper for tradition, and that’s totally fine. But if you’re looking for something simple, affordable, and easy to share — the free online obituary we post covers all the bases.

If you have questions or want help writing something that honors your loved one. That’s what I’m here for. Just give me a call or stop in — I’m always happy to help.

Adrienne Kloecker Kalivoda

Kloecker Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc.

�� (814) 454-0156 | www.kloeckerfuneralhome.com

Mom's in a Nursing Home - Now What? A Guide to Gentle Planning

Sat, 31 May 2025 01:38:05 GMT

It’s a moment so many of us face — one that’s heavy with emotion, worry, and love. Trust me, I've been there, it wasn't my mother but I was personally responsible for a woman. That first drive away from the nursing home is full of mixed emotions. Relief - because you finally found a place you feel comfortable leaving your loved one. Disappointed - because you feel like you have given up on them. Financially Burdened - because you know this is going to cost money. It is a hard turning point.

And after the dust settles, another question quietly rises:

“What happens next?”

For a lot of families I talk to, this is when they begin thinking about planning ahead — not because they want to, but because they know they need to.

I’ve sat at the table with sons and daughters just like you — people in their 50s, 60s, sometimes even younger — who suddenly find themselves facing decisions they never expected to make this soon.

Let me walk you through what I often tell them.

⸻

You Don’t Have to Make All the Decisions Today

First, take a breath. Pre-arranging a funeral isn’t about locking everything in right now. It’s about easing the burden later — for both you and your family.

Making even some basic choices now — like whether your mom prefers burial or cremation, or if she wants a service — making these decisions can make a difference when the time comes.

⸻

Start With a Conversation

This might sound hard, but one of the best gifts you can give your loved one is a chance to have a voice in what happens. Even if she doesn’t want to talk details, just asking “Is there anything you want when the time comes?” opens the door.

You don’t have to talk about caskets or music — just values. Does she want something simple? Religious? Family-focused?

You’d be surprised how many people feel relieved just to be asked.

⸻

Pre-Planning Is Flexible — and It Moves With You

One of the biggest concerns I hear is:

“What if we make pre-arrangements and something changes?”

That’s a fair question — and the good news is, most plans are flexible. If your mom moves to another city or state, or if your family changes its mind about the details, pre-arrangements can be transferred or adjusted.

The point of planning ahead isn’t to lock you in — it’s to give you options and ease, no matter where life leads.

⸻

You’re Not Alone in This

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve got a lot on your shoulders. I just want you to know: you don’t have to carry it all by yourself.

When families come to me, I listen. I learn about their loved one. I answer questions with honesty and heart. I’ve been through this personally — and I bring that experience to every conversation I have.

So whether you’re ready to sit down and make arrangements or you just need someone to talk through the “what-ifs,” I’m here.

⸻

Let’s make this next step a little easier, together.

�� Feel free to call or stop in anytime. I’m happy to sit down, no pressure, and help you start the conversation — at your pace, in your time.

Celebration of Life - What does that even mean?

Sun, 21 Jan 2024 17:51:35 GMT

Happy New Year to all! 2024 marks my fourth year of providing meaningful blogs through “A New Face to the Funeral Business.” Every year I make it a goal to write more blogs than I did the year before, but usually life gets busy. For example, birthing another child and some more or less exciting obstacles get in the way. However, as I look back and see the blogs written in the past, I realize that I was prompted by an experience that I just HAD to share. I find that sharing experiences is much more meaningful than giving lessons, how to’s, and tips on funeral services.

A few months ago, Francis and I had the pleasure of welcoming a group of Seminarians from St. Mark’s Seminary in Erie for a “Day in the life” and tour of the funeral home. When Fr. Renne, Associate Director of Seminarians, asked Francis and I to talk to the seminarians, my initial reaction was what on earth do you want us to talk about? The more I thought about the opportunity to sit down with future priests, the more I thought, you know what—I bet they have never heard the funeral director’s side of what makes a meaningful funeral. Of course the traditions, the symbols used during the Mass, the participation of family members during the service, etc. all play a huge role in making a meaningful funeral, but why is all of that important? What are families really looking for in a funeral service?

People love to use the phrase a “Celebration of Life.” Of course that is the preferred way to say funeral—the very nature of the words make the “event” less sad. Some definitions of “Celebration of Life” describe it as a primary focus on the life that the loved one lived. Some say it’s less rooted in tradition and focuses on celebrating the life. Most people think that a Celebration of Life and a Funeral are two different events. Let’s be honest, whenever a gathering occurs and the purpose of the gathering is to remember and honor a person who passed away, that event is going to be sad. That is the point of a funeral. A funeral is a safe place to have those feelings, to cry, to mourn the death, to be with family and friends, to tell stories, to laugh, and then to cry again. It is necessary for families to have a funeral, but it does not look the same for every family, and that is okay.

There are plenty of families that want visiting hours and a service at the funeral home instead of at a church. There are families who would prefer having more of a party style “Celebration of Life” at a restaurant or bar. Some want a combination of both. No matter what, there is a need to hold some sort of an event for the specific purpose of remembering the person who died. When a family goes without having any funeral, that grieving process is lengthened. When a funeral is planned, the community is made aware of the loss and they have an opportunity to come and pay their respects, or at least send a card or message to the family. If no funeral occurs, the community, friends, and even distant relatives end up “paying their respects” the first time they see the family. This makes the funeral occur in any moment, in any location, and most times becomes an awkward conversation at a grocery store. Again, without a funeral of any kind, the grieving process is prolonged.

I believe that one of our strengths at Kloecker Funeral Home is that we are not sales people. We don’t have a thirty slide presentation for the family to sit through during their darkest time. We listen to the family first and foremost. Then we try to create a funeral that is meaningful to that specific family. We don’t push merchandise. We try to make this process easier for the family while giving them space to grieve in their own way.

To wrap up my seminarian story, I made sure to tell the seminarians that family participation is key, listening and really putting in effort to talk to the family goes a long way, and then incorporating that information into the funeral makes a world of a difference. There are many priests, pastors, and ministers already creating beautiful funeral services in the Erie Community, but there is always room for more discussion and hearing the needs of families.

God Bless,

Adrienne (Kloecker) Kalivoda

Bringing A New Face to the Funeral Business

Lowest Cremation Price...But Wait There's More!

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 14:03:05 GMT

PSA on Middleman Cremation Businesses

It’s been awhile since my last blog. Life has been a little hectic with work, babies, and on top of it, I joined the board/committees of three different organizations this past year. I know, I know, I still haven’t learned how to say no.

There is a topic that particularly upset me this past summer, and when talking about it with my Father, he said, “You need to write a blog about it!” So here I am, putting my thoughts down and warning families about this atrocious scam!

Over the summer we had a family who called asking for cremation prices, this is a typical occurrence in our industry, the difference was that the decedent passed away in Pittsburgh. An out-of-town death, prompts adding an extra charge for long distance traveling. I explained this to the family, but I understood that they were looking for the lowest price possible due to their circumstances. I advised that the best route would be to call a funeral home in Pittsburgh that way the price would be less expensive. I even went beyond just suggesting that route, I started calling around to find the most reasonable price that included everything the family wanted. I found a Pittsburgh funeral home that charged $1300 for the removal, paperwork, and cremation.

After the cremation took place, I met with the family to schedule visiting hours in Erie. I asked what funeral home they went through for the cremation, and the family gave a really disappointed look. I asked what happened. The family ended up looking up cremations online. They found a very promising website called Legacy Cremation Services. After calling and talking to this company, they were told the price would be $995. A huge drop from the Pittsburgh funeral home that I suggested. So they started the cremation process with that company, giving them all of their loved ones information, place of death, how many death certificates they needed, and communicating that they wanted to drive to Pittsburgh to pick up the cremated remains instead of having them shipped. The company started the process on their end and after two days they sent the final bill with everything needed to complete the cremation. The total was $1709.80. I couldn’t believe it! At that point, the family felt they had no choice to find a different funeral home since they were already out three days of their loved one passing away.

The family allowed me to look at the invoice to see what happened. Legacy Cremation Services, LLC is not a Pennsylvania company, they are based out of Denver, Colorado. They are a middleman cremation service, they will do all of the gathering of information, but then they source out the removal from the place of death, the cremation itself, filing of the death certificate, etc. The price for them to be involved was $995, but additional prices were added by the PA Funeral Home that had to do all the work. I was appalled to see additional charges that were not needed such as a heavy duty body bag ($145) for the removal, even though every hospital provides a body bag already. The coroner authorization for cremation in Allegheny County is $50 but the invoice said $95. Of course there were other charges that were necessary, but it makes sense why people have a dislike of funeral homes and funeral directors, when we have companies like this one taking advantage of people, roping them in with extremely low prices, and then adding additional charges after they have already committed.

If you are calling around looking for cremation prices, please make sure that the price they give includes the removal, the coroner authorization, the filing of paperwork, the cremation container required by the state for cremation (cardboard box that the body is placed into before the cremation occurs), and of course the cremation itself. I want people to be aware of these companies. The state of Pennsylvania is looking into requiring funeral homes to put their price list online in order to avoid these types of cases. It has not passed yet, but OUR prices have been on our website for years. We don’t hide our prices from anyone, but there are still many funeral homes that are fighting this law. Do your research online and over the phone, you can tell a lot about the company with that first conversation!

God Bless and I hope you all had a wonderful summer,

Adrienne (Kloecker) Kalivoda

Bringing A New Face to the Funeral Business

Veterans Burial Benefits

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 14:21:52 GMT

One Stop Shop for Veterans Burial Benefits

There are many misconceptions about Veterans Burial Benefits. I’ve heard it both ways. Many families think that because the decedent did not serve in a war he or she is not entitled to any benefits. I’ve also experienced many families that assume there are thousands of dollars available to Veteran’s upon death. Both are not completely true and that is why it is time to dig into Veterans burial benefits.

First and foremost, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs defines a veteran as “a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.” If you are still uncertain of the qualifications of a Veteran, I provided the link at the end for an in-depth description of a Veteran status. There are certain burial benefits for ALL Veterans and some Veterans may also be eligible for burial allowances. Most of these benefits require a DD-214, which is the discharge paperwork in order to prove the Veteran status. If your loved one does not have this document, there are ways to obtain it, but it does take weeks, sometimes months until the document is in hand.

Benefits for ALL Veterans:

All Veterans receive a burial flag . We have specific forms for burial flags that we submit to the US Postal Service in order to receive flags for Veterans.
In Pennsylvania, all Veterans and their spouses can receive free death certificates (Certified Certificates are $20 a piece in PA for non-Veterans).
In Erie County, we have a $75 death benefit for Veterans. The funeral home can submit the application for this benefit. Requires DD-214.
All Veterans are able to receive a Presidential Memorial Certificate , a document honoring the Veteran from our grateful nation and President. Requires DD-214.
All Veterans can receive a free government headstone, marker, or medallion . You can choose from many different styles and emblems and the headstone can be placed at any cemetery. Requires DD-214.
All Veterans may also be buried in any of the VA national cemeteries with available space which includes the grave, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, and the stone. Every one of these burial benefits requires a form to be filled out by the next of kin. Requires DD-214.

Burial Allowances

Now, some Veterans may be eligible for Burial Allowances. Here are the specific requirements for all burial allowances:

“The Veteran must not have received a dishonorable discharge, and one of these circumstances must be true:

The Veteran died as a result of a service-connected disability (a disability related to service), or
The Veteran died while getting VA care, either at a VA facility or at a facility contracted by VA, or
The Veteran died while traveling with proper authorization, and at VA’s expense, either to or from a facility for an examination, or to receive treatment or care, or
The Veteran died with an original or reopened claim for VA compensation or pension pending at the time of death, if they would’ve been entitled to benefits before the time of death, or
The Veteran died while receiving a VA pension or compensation, or
The Veteran died while eligible for a VA pension or compensation at their time of death, but instead received full military retirement or disability pay

Or:

The Veteran had been getting a VA pension or compensation when they died, or
The Veteran had chosen to get military retired pay instead of compensation”

Most of the Veterans we have the honor of serving at our funeral home do not meet these requirements. Of course it doesn’t hurt to try and obtain these burial allowances even if you are not sure if the person qualifies, but it does require an extensive application.

Military Honors

When it comes to military honors being performed at the funeral service, the funeral director will contact a local group that offers military honors. Most of the time, we use the Erie Crawford County Burial Detail. This group will fold and present the flag while giving a detailed explanation of what the flag represents. After the presentation of the flag, the firing party will present arms and fire shots three times. The service concludes with the playing of taps. The groups that provide military honors do not require payment, but a donation is often made to the group in order to support their efforts. I highly recommend requesting this service for a Veteran. This ceremony is absolutely beautiful, and it is much deserved for someone who has served our country.

In conclusion, there are many burial benefits for Veterans but it does take time to fill out applications and forms for each one. That is what we are here for! If you or a loved one has a Veteran status, please start the process of obtaining a DD-214. We can help with that too!

God Bless You and God Bless America!

A special thank you to all of our Veterans and especially the Veterans entrusted into our care.

Adrienne (Kloecker) Kalivoda

Bringing a New Face to the Funeral Business

Below is a list of all the applications, forms, and other helpful links for Veterans Benefits:

Application for Burial Benefits: https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21P-530EZ-ARE.pdf

Application for Burial Flag: https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-27-2008-ARE.pdf

Headstone Request Form: https://www.va.gov/vaforms/va/pdf/VA40-1330.pdf

Presidential Memorial Certificate Request Form: https://www.va.gov/vaforms/va/pdf/VA40-0247.pdf

Request for DD-214: https://www.archives.gov/files/standard-form-180.pdf

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs https://www.va.gov/OSDBU/docs/Determining-Veteran-Status.pdf

VA national cemeteries: https://www.cem.va.gov/find-cemetery/

Veterans Burial Allowances: How To Apply For A Veterans Burial Allowance | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)

New Life in a World of Death

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 17:40:10 GMT

Two in One: A Funeral Director and A Mother

It has been a year since the birth of my daughter, Theresa Rose. During this past year, I have done so much reflecting on the meaning of life and the importance of family, all the while, helping other families deal with their own pain through the death care industry.

I first have to talk about how grateful I am to have the gift of family. During the past couple years, the world has been surrounded by so many negative messages and we are constantly told how awful our world is. It is easy to fall into that trap of negativity. I wouldn’t say that I was trapped in that negativity per se, but I definitely took for granted all the good things in my life.

A few months ago, I was talking to a woman who is involved with helping families who have had a loved one commit suicide. She asked me if we, as funeral directors, have anyone to talk to while dealing with this type of situation. I was a bit confused with the question, so she rephrased it as, “How do you as a funeral director deal with the emotions involved in helping a family with a suicide.” I never had someone ask me how we deal with tough situations before. My response was that I am fortunate enough to work with my father, Mark, and my brother, Francis. We all support one another during tough situations, we cry together (sorry Francis and Dad for exposing your emotional side), and we discuss with each other the hurt we are feeling in these moments. For that, I am so grateful and I have to say I am blessed for having such a close bond with my family, who I have the privilege of calling co-workers.

That being said, having a daughter, a child, has definitely changed my point of view on my daily duties as a funeral director. It is hard not to pour your heart and soul into serving each family. They trust me with their loved one and they rely on me to guide them through the funeral process, which is the starting point of their grieving process. That is sometimes really heavy and emotionally draining; of course, that is part of the job. I have realized recently that each day I can do my very best to be the perfect funeral director for each family, but at the end of the day I am more importantly a Mother. I have to pour my heart and soul into being a good Mother, a good role model for my daughter, and a woman of faith in a world filled with darkness.

Earlier this year, God gave me a very challenging case at the funeral home. He asked me to care for a 4 month old baby girl who passed away unexpectedly. This was not the first time I have had to help a young grieving family, but this was the first time with a baby of my own at home. I cried a lot that week. I held my Theresa a lot that week, thanking God for the gift of my beautiful healthy baby, while I was taking care of another baby girl at the funeral home. The family asked me to do the service at the funeral home as well, and as much as it hurt and I really did not want to do the service, God gave me the strength to stand up in front of the family and pray for that precious baby. It was one of the hardest funerals I was a part of, but it was such an honor being able to help that family through such a devastating time.

Through this industry, I learn every day that the gift of family is above every other thing in this world. I am blessed to be reminded every day how important the love of family truly is and I thank God for that. I encourage you to forgive family often, to invite them to dinner, make that phone call you have been putting off for weeks—life is way too short. Let your family know you love them.

God Bless,

Adrienne Kloecker-Kalivoda

Bringing a New Face to the Funeral Business

A Lifetime Condensed to Six Paragraphs

Wed, 29 Dec 2021 16:27:06 GMT

The Purpose of Writing an Obituary

A few weeks ago, I was meeting with a family and I brought up writing an obituary. The family couldn’t decide whether or not they wanted an obituary. I let them think for a moment, and then I said to them, your daughter lived a life, it is worth reflecting on that life and having this obituary to remember her.

Recently, I have found myself thinking about the importance of obituaries and how technology has changed the way we view obituaries. Let’s go back to the definition. Oxford Dictionaries defines an obituary as “a notice of a death, especially in a newspaper, typically including a brief biography of the deceased person.” It was only about twenty years ago that it was common for the obituary to be run in the newspaper for two or three days. The newspaper was the best form of communication to inform people of the death and to announce when and where the services would take place. There are a few other important reasons to write an obituary. Many people search obituaries for genealogy purposes. The obituary typically lists the parents' names, the children’s names, and many other relatives to the deceased. Another benefit of an obituary is to document the cemetery information. Lastly, the obituary pays tribute to the life lived, often highlighting the person's career, hobbies, and characteristics that they will be remembered for.

We are now at a point where many do not receive the local paper; this decline has caused some changes in how we view obituaries. We rarely have families place an obituary in the paper for more than a day since prices have doubled in the last 5 years. We have more families who choose to place the obituary on our website for free, rather than spending nearly $400 on average for a published obituary that many won’t even see. I fully believe that obituaries are a necessity, but we are moving away from the traditional newspaper edition. On our website there is no word count, no limit to the amount of pictures, and we can personalize the background. Visitors that read the obituary can leave messages or a memory for the family; they can even send flowers or a sympathy gift right from our website. Family and friends can share the obituary on Facebook, Twitter, or email. The form of communication may have changed, but the content of the obituary still remains the same. On our website you can even subscribe to the obituary listings, which means that every time we post an obituary you will receive an email notification. If you do not receive the paper, this is a great way to keep informed about friends and relatives that have passed away.

Online obituaries have given families the freedom to write the obituary they want, to tell the story of the person’s life without constraints and without worrying about increasing costs by line. Below is a template of a typical obituary and some ideas of how to write the perfect obituary.

Every obituary starts with the person's full name, most put the age, and the date of death. For example:

John Smith, Jr., 89, of Erie, PA, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, December 26, 2021.

The second paragraph is about where and when the person was born, as well as the parents' names.

He was born in Erie, PA on March 29, 1932, a son of the late John Sr. and Jane (Miller) Smith.

The third paragraph gives us an overview of the person's life, the schools attended, career and where they worked, hobbies and interests, characteristics, accomplishments, church affiliations, and more.

John attended Blessed Sacrament grade school and went on to graduate from Cathedral Prep in 1950. After high school, he studied at Gannon University, where he met the love of his life, Mary. John graduated with a BS in Business Marketing and the next year married his beloved wife, Mary. John worked at General Electric for over thirty years before retiring in 1987. After retirement, John enjoyed bowling, fishing, and traveling. He was a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Parish and member of the Ushers Society. John was a proud father of four sons, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John III. He loved spending time with his family especially going on trips to Florida. John was an amazing husband, father, and friend.

The fourth paragraph lists the people who have preceded in death.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his brother, Bob Smith.

The fifth paragraph lists the survivors, spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings, and any extended family and friends that are important to mention.

John is survived by his wife, Mary, sons, Matthew Smith (Marie), Mark Smith (Linda), Luke Smith (Sarah), and John Smith III, six grandchildren, four siblings, and many nieces and nephews also survive.

The sixth paragraph informs the public of the funeral services day, time, and location.

Friends may call on Sunday at the Kloecker Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. from 3pm until 7pm and are invited to the prayer service on Monday at the funeral home at 10:15am followed by the Funeral Mass at Blessed Sacrament at 11am. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.

Lastly, some families like to add a thank you to the nurses who cared for the deceased. Some families also add a place that people can donate in memory of the deceased.

The family would like to thank the nurses at St. Mary’s Asbury Nursing Home for taking such great care of John. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Blessed Sacrament Parish at 1626 W 26th St Erie, PA 16508.

This is just an example of how a typical obituary is written, but we never force a family to stay within those boundaries. Many families like to switch the order of the paragraphs, sometimes listing the family first. We strongly encourage writing an obituary because each and every person matters, every individual lives a life worth sharing, and that is reason enough. Consider writing your own obituary, your family will appreciate the help when the time comes. It also allows you to list what was most important to you. You can always send the obituary to our funeral home to keep on file, and we are always open to discussing arrangements with you.

God Bless and stay safe,

Adrienne M. Kloecker-Kalivoda

Bringing a New Face to the Funeral Business

What to Expect When Making Pre-Arrangements

Tue, 22 Jun 2021 01:18:45 GMT

I have been a funeral director for almost four years now. It still amazes me when a family comes in after their mother or father passed away, and they have no idea what the deceased wanted for a funeral. Usually that family also has trouble finding which bank their parents used, whether or not they had a life insurance policy, if they had a cemetery plot, etc. I think the problem is that the funeral industry is looked at as a cold, scary place. It is hard to think about what is going to happen after you die and for some people, it is a scary process to make pre-arrangements. For that reason, I want to walk you through a typical pre-arrangement and hopefully by the end of this blog you will feel more prepared and a little more at ease when it comes to making that first appointment.

Gathering of Information

The primary purpose of making pre-arrangements is to get all of your information down. There are plenty of times that a family comes in after a loved one has passed away and they can’t find the social security number or they don’t know if the person earned their associates degree or bachelors degree. When we sit down for a pre-arrangement, the first part is getting the vital information. This information includes: full name, social security number, address, date of birth, place of birth, highest level of education, father’s name, mother’s name including her maiden name, occupation, veterans information, spouses information, and next of kin. As you can see, most of that information is easy to write down for yourself, but could you answer all of those questions about your mother or father? Would you know all of that off the top of your head? Most people have to dig through paperwork or make a few phone calls in order to find that info, which is why gathering that ahead of time is a huge relief for your family.

Planning The Funeral

The next segment of a pre-arrangement is the part people get nervous about. I usually start with, “Now that we have all of the information down, let’s talk about your funeral. What do you envision happening after you pass away?” Some people have a general idea of what type of funeral they would like, some lay out every detail of the funeral, and some give me a blank stare. For the people who haven’t thought much about their own funeral, I start to prompt with questions such as:

Do you want to have visiting hours with the casket open?

Do you want to have a church service or a service at the funeral home?

Is cremation something you have thought about?

What is going to happen with your remains after the services? is there a burial, scattering, or is a family member going to take your cremains home?

These questions give me a sense of direction in order to get to the details of what type of services the person wants. At this point, we have the backbone of what the funeral is going to entail, and that alone will relieve stress for the family when the time comes. There are plenty of people who will stop at this point and say that their family can choose the rest of the details. That is completely okay, but I will say that the more details you have down, the more your family can focus on each other and taking care of their own feelings rather than worrying about getting all the arrangements finalized. Some extra details that can be beneficial to have down in your pre-arrangements are as follows:

Type of casket/color of casket

Type of vault

Type of urn

Writing an obituary template

Choosing a prayer for the prayer card

Picking songs and readings for the service

Picking the types of flowers you prefer

Choosing an outfit

Suggesting a memorial to make donations

Purchasing the burial plot

Putting extra money away for the luncheon

Pre-Payment Options

The final step of making a pre-arrangement is going over the price of all the chosen funeral goods and services. I walk you through each price on the list and give you a total price of the funeral. At this point I answer any questions and make changes if necessary. I never pressure anyone to pre-pay for a funeral, but I do want the person to think about how their family would pay for these services at the time of death. If you have life insurance, I typically will write down the company and policy number in our file so that your family doesn’t have to search for that information later. At the time of death, life-insurance assignments can be made to the funeral home in order to pay for the funeral. I will also walk through the benefits of pre-paying for a funeral. At this moment, we have two options for pre-paying a funeral. The first is through a trust at Northwest Bank. Checks that are written for a pre-arrangement are sent to Northwest Bank and placed into an irrevocable funeral trust. This means that no one is able to take that money out until the time of death, we cannot touch it, the government cannot touch it, nursing homes cannot touch it, and other family members cannot touch it. The other option is through Loyal Christian Benefits Association (LCBA). This method of pre-payment is through an insurance company. Depending on your age, health, and personal preference we can place the money into an annuity or a life insurance policy. This option also allows payments to be made over time and LCBA products are irrevocably assigned to the funeral home which has the same benefits as the irrevocable funeral trust.

There aren’t too many funeral homes that still guarantee the funeral when it is pre-paid, but we still honor that policy. Let’s say that the funeral was $10,000 and you wrote a check for that amount. As time goes on, inflation will increase the price of that same funeral. Guaranteeing the funeral means that we are hoping that the interest that is generated from the trust will cover inflation over time. Let’s say that the amount in the trust at the time of death does not cover the funeral, we will never ask the family for more money, we take the loss. Now, if the family at the time of death makes changes, such as adding a limo or something that was not on the original contract, that would be the only time we ask the family for additional money. Like I said, pre-payment is not a necessary step to making pre-arrangements, but it is definitely beneficial for the family.

Taking That First Step

My hope is that while reading this blog, you have become a little less hesitant when it comes to making your own pre-arrangements. Typically the entire meeting does not last more than an hour and if it goes longer, it’s because we are chitchatting about something happening in life. I cannot emphasize it enough, putting your information down and giving your family some sort of direction is so important. Even by the end of this, if you are still uncomfortable meeting face-to-face for whatever reason, I would be more than happy to gather information through email, over the phone, or I can send you a pre-arrangement packet that allows you to write down all of the information on your own time. I am always here to help.

Contact information:

Adrienne Kloecker-Kalivoda

Cell: 814-431-3492

Office: 814-454-0156

Email: akloecker11@yahoo.com

God Bless and Stay Safe,

Adrienne Kloecker-Kalivoda

Bringing a New Face to the Funeral Business

Covid-19: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 14:46:34 GMT

The Effects of Covid-19 on the Funeral Industry

When the country was shut down in March, Funeral Directors were clearly essential workers. Yes, we may have been deemed “essential”, but our industry will forever be changed because of this pandemic. In that moment, traditional funerals were taken away from us, church services were taken away from us, family gatherings were taken away from us, families were stripped of giving their loved ones the funeral they deserved.

At the beginning, I knew that funerals would be affected in a couple different ways. Some families would start to use Covid-19 to avoid having a public funeral for their loved one. Others would turn to direct cremation without having any services. Some would have direct burials without any type of funeral. All of these options are understandable given the circumstances and wanting to be as safe as possible. But most people, while not being allowed to have a public funeral, would realize how important and necessary the funeral is when it comes to the grieving process.

Let's start with The Ugly. I can say from personal experience that seeing is believing. When a family decides to have direct cremation with no viewing or visiting hours beforehand, it is hard to believe that the person is actually gone. I truly believe that the experience of seeing your loved one, not in the hospital bed, not in the hospital gown, but in their normal wear and looking natural (if you choose Kloecker Funeral Home), it will bring you to terms with the death. This experience starts the grieving process. Unfortunately, Covid-19 has pushed people away from this option. So many family members live out of town and Covid-19 has prohibited some people from traveling. When the majority of family members won’t be able to make the funeral, many families do not see a need for a funeral at all.

Moving on to The Ugly. This past May, my Aunt Connie passed away from a sudden brain aneurism. She spent almost a month in a coma as we prayed for a miracle from afar. She was in a hospital in Virginia and I wasn’t able to go visit her during those weeks leading up to her death. I knew that I had to see her laying in the casket in order to come to terms with the loss. It was one of the most difficult experiences of my life trying to juggle my responsibilities as a funeral director but also grieving one of my favorite Aunts. On top of it all, this happened during this pandemic. My family knows the value of a funeral and although the visiting hours were private, our family was able to gather and hold a Catholic Funeral Mass for Aunt Connie. I cannot say it enough, I will always preach about being able to have that final goodbye. When families do not have that opportunity or they decide to go without, it makes the grieving process much harder.

Although Covid-19 has been detrimental to many different industries, it is important to find The Good in every situation. Covid-19 has really pushed our industry in technology, whether some funeral directors like it or not. Family members not being able to travel and attend the funeral services has brought about live-streaming. Before Covid-19, it was rare and almost a little weird if people were FaceTiming or Zooming or Facebook live-streaming the funeral. Now it is the new norm. The families that we have served since March have been very creative when it comes to technology. In March, we had a family whose Pastor had health issues and did not want to go out in public. I ended up putting him on speaker through the phone in order to give the service (it was last minute and definitely could have been handled differently, but it worked). In July, a daughter of the deceased could not travel to her mother’s funeral. She pre-recorded a reading and her eulogy, and it was played over the speaker during the service. That same family held the funeral outdoors in the grass area of the church, a great solution to social distancing while taking advantage of some good Erie summer weather. The picture above was taken at that outdoor funeral.

Another positive outcome from this pandemic is how our funeral director community is handling the circumstance. The Erie Crawford County Funeral Directors Association met several times over the course of the pandemic to share ideas and help each other through this process. It was great to see all of us working together to figure out the best ways to serve our families while staying safe.

Many aspects of the funeral industry have changed over the course of these nine months, some good, some bad, and some ugly. As I look back, we have already found new ways to make funerals more accessible to family and friends, and it shows that there is still value left in the funeral. I hope that we can continue to bring that value to our families and future families that we serve.

God Bless and Stay Safe,

Adrienne Kloecker-Kalivoda

Bringing a New Face to the Funeral Business

What do I do with Mom's Cremated Remains?

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 21:57:04 GMT

Options For Cremation

In 1996, my grandfather, Francis V. Kloecker, Jr. built his dream camp on a piece of land given to him by his Father. It sits up on a small hill overlooking the Six Mile Creek in Harborcreek, PA. We have one very unique design inside the camp. Above the mantle, there is a gorgeous oak lid to a full size casket with the handles on either side of the lid, soaring up to the top of the cathedral ceiling. It’s only appropriate for a funeral director to include this type of furnishing inside his camp. Ever since I can remember, every time we brought a friend to our camp for the first time, we would tell him or her that my great-grandfather is inside the casket on the wall. Each person is always shocked and kind of disturbed! Of course, after a few minutes of convincing, we then laugh it off and tell them that we are just joking.

When you think about it, many people actually do have their family members up on the mantel, the difference is that their loved one is in an urn instead of a full size casket. Many people don’t understand and most times have never been explained the different options of what to do with cremated remains.

There are three main options when it comes handling your loved ones cremated remains. The first option is scattering or spreading the cremated remains. Many people love this option. It doesn’t cost anything extra and it can be a very personalized experience. Let’s say your loved one always spent time at his/her camp, spreading cremated remains at the camp would be the perfect spot. Many people create a little area with memory stones or plant a tree at the place that the cremains were spread. If you are thinking of spreading cremains in a public place, you need to ask permission. There is a great article on CJ Twomey, who passed away in 2010. Since his death, CJ’s cremated remains have been scattered in more than 100 countries. His cremains were even sent into space! The link to the article can be found at the end of the blog. Scattering is a very personal decision for the family or for yourself.

Another option is keeping the cremains at home. We often do not see families keeping all of the cremains in one urn or container at one home. Typically there are two or more family members involved and each person usually wants their own portion of the cremains. Nowadays there are so many different urns, small mementos, necklaces, rings, and even customized glass blown decorative pieces with cremains inside. You can take a look at the Wilbert selection that we offer for cremation choices, just click on the link at the end of the blog.

Finally, cremated remains can be placed into the ground at a cemetery plot or into a columbarium niche. Both of these options are more permanent locations for the cremated remains. I say “more permanent” because there is always an option to move the cremains out of that location. Most of our cemeteries in Erie, PA have one or multiple columbariums to put cremated remains inside. A columbarium is a large wall-like structure that have separated spaces, or what we call niches, for cremated remains to go inside. The costs that apply to using a columbarium niche include:

1. Purchasing the niche itself.

2. Opening and closing costs at the time of death.

3. Engraving the front of the niche usually with full name, date of birth, and date of death.

*For actual costs of niche and engraving, contact the cemetery of your choice.

Ground burial of cremated remains has similar cemetery costs. Some cemeteries have cremation plots available instead of buying a full sized plot. Although it is not required by most cemeteries, many families choose to purchase a cemetery marker or stone for the grave. Geiger & Sons in Erie, PA, will always be our go-to, family-owned business for cemetery monuments. They always do an excellent job, and have been trusted by our family for generations.

If you are trying to decide what you want to happen with your cremated remains when the time comes, I have three words of advise… Write It Down! Make your wishes known on paper and discuss it with your family or with whomever will be in charge of the decisions when the time comes. Too often I hear from families, “I don’t know what Mom wanted.” or “Does Dad have a cemetery plot?”. Leave your family with some direction and write it down. If you are looking to be even more proactive, you are welcome to schedule an appointment with me and even pre-pay for all of your funeral wishes.

Bringing a New Face to the Funeral Business

Adrienne Kloecker

The Reality of COVID-19 and Funeral Services

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 19:32:18 GMT

COVID-19 and Its Effects on The Funeral Home Industry

I had a very different blog prepared for the end of March, but I think this topic is a more pressing issue in our world today. There are many rumors about the funeral industry and what we can and cannot do during this time of the COVID-19 restrictions. I thought I should clear some things up regarding our business and how things will be handled on our end. It is important to note that these regulations are based on CDC, the National Funeral Director Association, and the Pennsylvania Health Department.

First of all, our safety and the safety of the families we serve are of the utmost importance. The funeral industry as a whole has been in contact with the CDC regarding what is safe for funeral home employees and for the families coming into our buildings. Because we do not know whether or not a deceased person has COVID-19, we will be treating every person as if they do have the virus. During removals we will be using personal protective equipment, as we always do, and we will place cotton sprayed with disinfectant over the deceased person’s face. As of now, the CDC does not know if we can contract the virus after the person has died, but they suggest taking these precautions. In Pennsylvania, there are no restrictions to burying a person who has died from COVID-19. So it will still be up to the family regarding if they want to have a burial or cremation.

Now, when it comes to visitation during this time, we are not allowed to have public viewing. We are limited to a gathering of ten people or less for the visiting, the funeral service, and even for the graveside service. The CDC recommends that the family and friends refrain from touching and kissing the deceased during this time, especially if the deceased was infected with COVID-19.

As you can see, we are still able to hold funerals, graveside services, and even visitation, but we are limited to the number of people. Last Friday, we held a small family only funeral service at the funeral home. The Pastor was contacted by the family earlier that week, but on the day of the service, he decided that it was not the best decision for him to attend a gathering. I had to think on my feet, what was the best way to provide a meaningful service for this family. The family was a predominately Spanish-speaking family and I knew that anything I put together was not going to be the best option. So I called the Pastor back and asked him if he could do the service over the speaker. Both of us were a little uneasy about it, but I knew it was the best option for the family. The Pastor conducted his service over the speaker phone, and I could feel that the family was able to get some closure to the sudden loss of a Father, Brother, Uncle, and Friend.

I think during a time like this, families are going to realize now more than ever, how important funerals are for our society. No one looks forward to the day when they have to plan a funeral for their loved one. If that day comes during this COVID-19 crisis and public gatherings are taken from them, it will be ten times harder for the family to gain closure and begin that grieving process. Many funeral homes across the country are having facebook live funeral services. We are definitely capable of providing this service for our families. Through our website friends of the family have the ability to submit online condolences and send flowers to the funeral home. If you know someone who has lost a loved one during this time, please reach out to them.

We will get through this, we will adapt to the changes, but I pray that we find a cure to this virus very very soon.

Bringing a New Face to the Funeral Industry

Adrienne Kloecker

Funeral Directors Should Not Cry

Tue, 11 Feb 2020 13:30:19 GMT

A Lesson Learned From Mortuary School

I am about to get personal. I know. I know. It’s only blog number three, but this topic is something I deal with on a regular basis as a funeral director.

I will never forget the day one of my teachers at mortuary school stated to the entire class, “Funeral directors should not cry. They need to be professional and crying is not professional.” Wow. I couldn’t believe it. I was fuming in my chair. For days, I couldn’t look at this teacher without thinking about what he had said. How can you tell a class of thirty or so young adults that they are not allowed to cry in this profession. Who are you to say that we are not allowed to show emotion. Obviously, a funeral director should not be wailing and causing a scene, but I can’t tell you how many times I tear up during a funeral.

Every family that I take care of receives my full attention. I make sure to take care of the little details that a family may have mentioned in the arrangement. Through conversations with family and friends, I get to know the person who passed away without even knowing him or her personally. I develop a real connection with the family members, and when one of them heads to the podium up for the eulogy, I can’t help but get emotional with them.

This past year, I helped four young women, all around the same age as myself, arrange their Father’s funeral. Earlier that year, I actually had many encounters with this man. Our funeral home was donating towards a local neighborhood park that this man was caring for. I was already feeling emotional hearing the news of his passing, and then I met with his four daughters. It was an emotional week, trying to make sure everything was absolutely perfect for this family. The funeral home was packed all night long and everyone was staying for the service. I couldn’t fit enough chairs into the parlor to accommodate the amount of people. Every person had some story about his generosity and how caring he was towards everyone he met. He was just a guy you wanted to be around. All four of his daughters wrote about their Father, a relative read each story out loud during the service. There was not a dry eye in the place. At the end, I had to wipe away my tears, stand up, and close the service, inviting people to say their final goodbyes.

When I walked out of the room, I started thinking to myself, Adrienne pull it together. I couldn’t stop tearing up. When I look back on it, part of the sadness came from thinking, “What if that was my Father?” I walked down the hall and a couple of my family members, who were very close with this man, gave me a hug. Obviously, I kept crying. All of a sudden, one of the daughters walks up to me to ask a question, she realizes that I am crying and gives me a hug. Oh my gosh, I was so embarrassed. The daughter who was grieving had to console me? Really? Well, since that funeral, I have come to realize that it is OKAY TO CRY.

I am human just like everyone else, I will not be desensitized by this profession. There are days that are easier than others, but I know, when someone calls on our funeral home, we will do everything in our power to lighten the burden and ease some of the stress that death can cause. And yes, I might cry while doing it!

Bringing a New Face to the Funeral Business,

Adrienne Kloecker

I am Power of Attorney

Wed, 08 Jan 2020 03:56:24 GMT

Pre-planning The Funeral, While You Still Have Authority

As an intern, one of the first lessons my Father taught me was that Power of Attorney ceases to exist upon death. Seems like a boring lesson, but I seriously repeat that phrase almost every time I meet with a family.

Becoming Power of Attorney for a parent or relative really does take some preparation. You should hire an attorney, you must have it witnessed and notarized, and you should do this years before you need it. So, what is a Power of Attorney (POA)? Might as well go to the Oxford Dictionary for our definition. Power of Attorney (noun): the authority to act for another person in specified or all legal or financial matters. Now, I could really go into depth about different types of authority given to the POA, but I am not an attorney. The knowledge I do have about it, comes from mortuary school and a little bit of questioning an attorney who happens to be a relative.

In many cases, having the POA for your mother, for example, gives you the ability to take care of her finances and make medical decisions on her behalf. As time goes on, writing checks from her account to pay her bills, contacting the doctor for medical results, and managing her prescriptions, can become routine. All of which falls under the POA authority.

Then the time comes when your mother passes away and you have to start planning the funeral. You make the arrangements, and try to use a check from her bank account with your signature as POA. Let me repeat, Power of Attorney ceases to exist upon death. Once your mother passed away, you do not have legal authority to make decisions for her or write checks out of her account. Why? Because upon death, her assets either pass to someone else (if if is a joint account or there is a beneficiary designated) or are frozen until an estate is created by probating her will. If an estate is created, the executor will be the one planning and making the payment for the funeral.

Moral of the story is…While you are still power of attorney, make sure you plan and pay for the funeral arrangements while you still have authority. If you are planning on using the money in the bank account to pay for the funeral, pre-pay this cost before you are frozen out of their account or before it goes to a joint owner. There are many positives to pre-paying a funeral, the least of which is avoiding family disputes. If you pre-plan your funeral, less family members can argue over what “you would have wanted” or “where you wanted to be buried”. If you pre-pay the funeral, the price is locked in at the current price. The money will be placed into an irrevocable burial trust (we use Northwest Bank). Not all funeral homes guarantee the funeral price, so make sure you ask. Another reason to pre-pay the funeral into an irrevocable funeral trust is to avoid depleting your loved one’s assets in a nursing home. Because the trust is irrevocable, the funds cannot be required to be used for nursing home costs. Which brings me to my last point, pre-planning and pre-paying a funeral eliminates the stress at a time when you just lost your loved one. You have already made all of the tough decisions and you can truly focus on giving your loved one the funeral he or she deserves and the attention and healing your family needs.

Bringing a New Face to the Funeral Business,

Adrienne Kloecker

Welcome 2020

Thu, 02 Jan 2020 17:13:25 GMT

Welcoming 2020 with a New Perspective on Funeral Service

Well, it’s the beginning of a new decade. In a month I will be celebrating one year as a licensed Funeral Director. In 2016/2017, I was in mortuary school in Pittsburgh, PA. Only two hours away from my home town, but twelve months seemed like a lifetime. During those twelve months, I had a lot of time to reflect on my family owned funeral home. What were our strengths? What were our weaknesses? Are there any opportunities that we need to take advantage of? And of course, are there any threats to our business? During class I would research marketing ideas, creating list after list of ideas for our funeral home. I received a marketing degree from Mercyhurst University in 2016, but nothing I learned applied to a small, family owned, funeral home.

When I arrived back home from mortuary school, I started checking off the projects on my list. New website. Social Media Marketing. Creating a Yelp account. Professional pictures of our staff. Marketing handouts. My biggest project of 2019 was acquiring two funeral homes in Erie. Small funeral homes, but acquiring businesses was one of the opportunities I had written down a couple years ago. This brings me to 2020, what does this decade have in store for my family? In the long run, only God knows, but in the short run, I am starting this blog.

Being in the business for these past two years, I have found that a lot of families that come through our doors have the same questions. Just like graduates from college who go out into the work force, having learned everything about their major, but never taught how to balance a check book. Families do not know how to prepare for a death of a loved one, because no one likes talking about it. Well, that’s my number one goal with this blog. I want to inform the public. I want to bring up topics that people don’t talk about. I also want to bring some personal experiences into this blog, funeral related and some not so funeral related topics.

I am excited to begin this new blog and I hope you all read these posts with an open mind and open heart. God bless and I hope you all have a year filled with Happiness and Prosperity.

Bringing a New Face to the Funeral Business,

Adrienne Kloecker