The Gardens At Olive Branch Cemetery

We often talk about Reflections being a unique way to view history but when a cities or churches records have been destroyed, the funerals might be your only key to finding the roots of a community. We joined GH Herrmann Funeral Home for the dedication of a cemetery that had been moved to allow for progress in the Greenwood community. The graves in the cemetery dated back too the 1800s and with two fires having destroyed the records it will take a team archaeologists to help. That's is just what is going on here, the family at GH Herrmann, while moving each grave to a new location within The Gardens At Olive Branch grounds are working with archaeologists to put some of the history back together. So many people have interest in ancestry these days and filling the gaps here could help many folks on their quest to trace back roots. I have often wondered how far my family goes back in the United States; it has been easier to find records in Scotland. I guess that is what makes it fun.

We shared the day with an open house and then a very touching dedication that included bagpipes and a dove release. These are both services the funeral home offers and for those not having experienced either it was a one of a kind day. The staff and family great guests all day, shared some history and fellowship then joined everyone for a lovely meal.

This is a wonderful group of caring funeral directors and an amazing facility.

Celebrating Armed Forces Day in Cincinnati

Our last event was hosted by the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. This event was in the making for more than a year. We met the school’s administrator, Karen Giles last year at the Ohio Funeral Director’s Convention in Columbus. She was extremely impressed with our exhibit and worked with us to create an event at her school. It was our pleasure to be a part of Operation Welcome Home a 3 day event celebrating Armed Forces Day. It included a full day CEU program for funeral directors and alumni reception on Friday. Saturday was an open house with presentations, ceremonies, and cook out for the public to enjoy. On Sunday we moved to the Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, the second largest cemetery in the country.

On Saturday Karen Giles who is a retired Colonel in the Air Force, gave a presentation about her experience as the director of the Port Mortuary Center at Dover Air Force Base from 2003-2008. This Base is the intake and preparation point for all military and government employee deaths overseas. The focus of her talk was about the process of returning our fallen service men and women to their families for burial. It was sobering and heart wrenching to hear about the reality of war and the terrible effects of IEDs and combat deaths. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for their families to cope with not being able to see their loved ones as they remembered them. I was also filled with a sense pride to learn how much attention to detail and care is ensure they are returned in their proper uniform and to allow the family to view the remains if possible. Colonel Giles’ presentation truly reminded me how important a funeral can be to give closure to the deads’ loved ones.

On Sunday we moved to the Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum. This is the 2^nd largest cemetery in the United States and is more the 800 acres. Frank and I were able to take a cemetery walk and view a small portion of this vast and beautiful cemetery. Our tour guide Diana Brake gave us a great tour. It was a fantastic history lesson. It is amazing that historical scope that can be found by researching the lives of those buried. We learned of Cincinnati’s heritage, history, its industries and its place in Ohio’s and America’s history. The architecture and burial customs were fascinating as well. I encourage everyone to go to cemetery pick out the most intriguing headstone and start digging into the past (figuratively of course). It is amazing where it can lead.

Minnesota Funeral Directors Association 2010 Convention

To finish up our trip up north we joined the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association for their annual convention, held in St. Cloud. This meeting of professionals from all over the state was forced to deal with some pretty nasty weather. I don’t think anyone told them it’s not supposed to snow in May.

Matt Smith from Frigid Fluid joined the MFDA and us for the two days we were at the convention. Matt has become a huge supported of the tour over the last two years and we always enjoy being able to see him. We all got a chance to have dinner together as well. This is a real treat for three people who travel so much.