Green Burial Seminar
As Easter rounds the corner, learn about the early burial traditions revisited in today’s “Green Burial’ movement. Join us Saturday April 7th at Washington Park North 2706 Kessler Blvd. West Dr. Indianapolis, Indian 46228 from 9-10a.m.. Seminars include products, industry trends, and conclude with an optional tour of Kessler Woods. Leave a lasting legacy of accountability and ecological responsibility. Reservations can be made at 317-259-1253 or by contacting Barb Milton directly at bmilton@buchanangroup.org.
Author – Barb Milton is the Vice President of Community Relations for Buchanan Group, Inc. Barb’s extensive industry background makes her a preferred guest speaker throughout the country regarding final expense decisions.
Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers
A “Perfect” Mass and a Basket Full of Daisies
About three weeks ago, Susan Stewart (a family service adviser) and I were contacted by a woman in Florida about holding a memorial visitation and Mass of Christian Burial at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens for her daughter. Our challenge was to coordinate details long distance. Susan promptly emailed photos of Good Shepherd and Our Lady chapels to her. The woman also sent her sister-in-law to Oaklawn to look at both chapels.
The woman arrived in Indianapolis a few days before the Mass and came to see the chapel options in person. After Susan took her to both locations she returned to the office and said both felt claustrophobic. She said she would be more comfortable switching the Mass to a church, even though the obituary had already been published in the Star. Susan and I assured her that a perfect Mass could be held in Good Shepherd by "painting the picture" for her.
Over the following two days the Oaklawn staff transformed Good Shepherd into a "sanctuary" like the one she had envisioned. Jack, Tim, Jim, and Mike physically moved the heavy altar from Our Lady to the Good Shepherd chapel. Mike brought in a piano and hired Betty Staples to play traditional Catholic hymns. Father Phil Bowers from Holy Spirit Geist came to Good Shepherd and celebrated the Mass. Another member of the family did the traditional readings. The woman’s daughter’s favorite flowers were daisies, so a large basket of daisies was placed next to her urn, and guest relations staffers Nancy Elson and Carl Stewart handed a daisy to each person attending the service. The daughter had been a cheerleader at both Lawrence North and Indiana University, and many of her cheerleading friends attended the service. It was a heart-warming experience.
The family told us how extremely pleased they were with the creation of this “perfect” setting. I am so proud of our staff for “going the extra mile” to make it happen.
Michael Neff is a funeral director for Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers. He is also a trained celebrant, officiating at both weddings and funerals.
Learn About Green Burial in Indianapolis
So the parade and the Indianapolis 500 aren’t your thing and you have this Saturday morning wide open! Reservations are still available for coffee and lively conversation at this month’s Green Burial seminar at:
Where: Washington Park North
2702 Kessler Blvd. West. Dr.
Indianapolis, IN 46220
When: Saturday, May 28, 2011
9 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Green Burial, a natural and environmentally-friendly form of burial, has been a part of the global burial tradition since the beginning of time. As you may have heard, this approach is gaining interest again. Our informational seminar is an hour in length and will conclude with a tour of Kessler Woods, the natural burial ground located within Washington Park North Cemetery. The public is welcome and CEU’s are available for funeral directors that carry an Indiana license.
To make a reservation or ask for information regarding green burial call Barb at 317-418-6464, or email bmilton@buchanangroup.org .