Grieving isn’t easy-especially during the holidays. But it is a reality we must face, and there are ways that everyone involved can make things a little easier. Everyone grieves in different ways, and we must all honor those differences and respect each other as we accept the death of a loved one and acknowledge that they are not with us to celebrate the holiday season anymore. Although this process is painful, it’s very important not to ignore a loss, as this can adversely affect one’s health.

One thing that can ease the pain for someone who is in mourning is by keeping in close contact with them. We are all busy with decorations, shopping, and other celebratory activities, it’s sometimes easy to ignore someone who isn’t participating as usual. If you know someone who has lost a loved one-give them a call, invite them to your home, or ask them to participate in other holiday activities with you & yours. Don’t put it off. People who are suffering a loss already feel alone. Don’t make it worse for them. If they refuse your invitations, as least they will know you have thought about them, and perhaps feel a bit less lonely.

If you are grieving for a lost loved one, there are things you can do yourself to help ease your pain. Be patient with yourself and express your feelings. Get support-you need to be with people and talk about your loss. This is healthy, as well as eating well and exercising. You can also prepare for the holidays. Decide what traditions you wish to uphold, and which ones you wish to discard. Do something symbolic to honor the memory of your loved one.

Another good idea that may help the grieving process is to join a support group. Getting encouragement information and guidance from others can help you feel less isolated.

Although it is necessary to work through grief, it is unhealthy to focus on it. Finding distractions like shopping, decorating, eating out, or listening to music can be helpful. It is not disrespectful to participate in holiday activities. Celebrating the holidays at the same time as celebrating the life of your lost loved one can be wonderful and healing.

The 28 former Mikocem cemeteries are still in the process of being sold. The state’s conservator, Mark Zausmer, has not yet completed the deal with Mr. Shipper, who is the approved buyer. We are anxiously awaiting the sale of these cemeteries, for the most part, simply to move on with business in an educated way.

Hopefully, word will come soon of the closing of the sale. We are hopeful that our communications and dealings with these 28 cemeteries will improve in the future.

“Trouble” in the death-care industry affects everyone. Prices and rules change frequently, confusing all involved. The past two years have held many set backs and changes for monument dealers, as well as the general public. News of new ownership of some of the largest and most historic Michigan cemeteries can only help. We look forward to enjoying some consistency-hopefully soon.

The turmoil that has engulfed us lately should soon end.

This very large & beautiful cemetery was dedicated in 1928 and is located on Ten Mile Rd. in Southfield, Michigan. It is owned and operated by the Detroit Archdiocese, along with Holy Cross and Our Lady of Hope cemeteries. Holy Sepulchre has a number of large beautiful monuments on its grounds. The landscaping is gorgeous and well kept. All in all, it’s one of Southeast Michigan’s most beautiful cemeteries. Many well known figures are buried within these hallowed grounds. These persons include:

Frank Navin, the original owner of the Detroit Tigers.

Walter Hagen, Hall of Fame professional golfer.

Charles Gehringer, Hall of Fame 2nd baseman for the Detroit Tigers.

Walter Briggs, for whom Tiger Stadium was originally named.

Jay Sebring, One of the infamous Manson family’s murder victims, as part of the Sharon Tate massacre.

Cardinal Mooney, Archbishop of Detroit from 1937 to 1958.

Cardinal Dearden, Archbishop of Detroit from 1958 to 1980.

Graced by a variety of trees, ponds, statuary, and other foliage, this cemetery is a sacred place, even to those of us who may not be Catholic. Places like this cemetery are few & far between, and should be admired and respected, along with those who create them. It is truly rare to see such a place be so carefully maintained. A drive through Holy Sepulchre is a pleasant one, no matter what the reason. The wonderful surroundings alone will bring peace to one’s heart.

THE HOLIDAYS ARE A TIME FOR CELEBRATION, AND A TIME FOR TRADITIONS. Some of these traditions go back to the 1600’s and even before that. Most of us hold these dear, and keep them as part of our holiday events. But do we know why we do these things? Do we know where they come from? Here are some of the most popular holiday traditions and superstitions, along with explanations. The original Thanksgiving feast probably did not include ham, yams, corn on the cob, pumpkin pie, or cranberry sauce. These things were not available to the pilgrims in America in 1621. They didn’t have pigs with them, or sugar, and Indian corn would only pop about 1/2 way. What they did have were fish, birds, grains, fruits, vegetables, honey, eggs, and nuts. A spider web found in the tree on Christmas morning is believed to be good luck. Caroling began as an old English custom called Wassailing, which included toasting neighbors with an apple & wine based hot drink. Electric Christmas lights were first used in 1895. These proved far safer than the traditional candles. In Finland, Santa rides a goat named Ukko. Towns in the U.S.A. with festive names include Santa Claus, AZ. Noel, MS. And Christmas, AZ. & FL. In olden days, evergreens were symbolic of enduring and renewed life. Holly was praised for its protective powers and mistletoe was used as a powerful charm against witches and lightening. It was also thought to be a cure for poison, epilepsy, and whooping cough. Evergreens brought home from a church were thought to be especially lucky. Other superstitions are almost beyond remembrance. These include flinging your front door open at midnight on Christmas Eve to let out any trapped evil spirits, and having a good year if your first visitor on Christmas day is a dark-haired man. Other signs of good fortune include farm animals kneeling at the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve and cats having the power of speech at the same time, although it is considered unlucky to overhear their conversations. Another tradition from olden days is the burning of a Yule Log. The rules that go along with this are: the log must not be a purchased one, and it must be kept burning all night long. In modern times, a certain television channel would record footage of a burning log, and run it over & over again for twenty four hours starting at midnight on Christmas eve. This was done so that folks who didn’t have a fireplace could still uphold the tradition of the Yule log. Whatever your family’s holiday traditions are, no matter where they stem from, keep them and pass them down to every generation. They are precious!

In January of this year, I was honored to be elected President of our wonderful organization. I have been greatly encouraged by our progress on all fronts and the tremendous amount of new members that have recently joined.

Our industry faces challenges both in the near and long terms. Increased competition from other factions, the rising cremation rate, price pressures, and the apparent need for continuing litigation-the list seems to go on and on. We have faced worse in the past and our industry has always emerged stronger.

I view every challenge before us as an opportunity to become more successful and every obstacle as a chance to champion the consumer’s right of choice. I believe that 2008 is the year that monument retailers regain their rightful positions as the first place a consumer thinks of when the need arises for a memorial. Through unity is strength.

The Michigan Monument Builders now has a lobbying organization, two highly effective law firms, a political action committee, and three times the membership that we had only a short time ago. In Michigan, 2008 will be the year of the monument retailer!

Thank you,  David Blake

Cindy is the wife of David Blake, co-owner of Simpson Granite. After years of work in the dental field, Cindy has come into the memorial field as an office manager.

Cindy is the web mistress for the Michigan Monument Builders website, as well as other websites. She has also created websites for other monument dealers. She is available to do this work for other companies who need a website .

Cindy has four grown children, and five grandchildren. She lives in Canton, MI and has three dogs and a pet hamster. She loves gardening, reading, traveling, and studying Civil War history.

“I have the utmost respect for the deceased and their families” she states. “I am sickened by the vandalism and poor quality of some of Michigan’s most beautiful cemeteries.”

Cindy has a business degree, and is working on a degree in Psychology. She is a member of several local organizations, including three historical societies.

Cindy has travelled to many places within North America, including Gettysburg PA, New Orleans LA, Gatlinburg TN, Las Vegas NV, and Niagara Falls Canada. She plans a trip to Louisville KY this spring.

Cindy is also interested in things of a paranormal nature, and studies this subject as well. “I like to think that this life isn’t all there is” she states. She is also a member of her local Methodist church and studies the Bible frequently.

Cindy is amazed by the work that can be done in the memorial industry. She believes that families should have the best memorial they can afford, and have choices too. “I love to go and visit cemeteries. They are full of wonderful art which sometimes doesn’t get the respect it deserves. I find cemeteries peaceful & beautiful places, for the most part”.

Cindy plans to be in the memorial field for a long time, and enjoys her work.

MEMORIAL TYPES FLAT HEADSTONE OR MARKER OR GRASS MARKER THESE ARE USUALLY 24"X12" AND 4" THICK. THEY ARE SET INTO THE GROUND, EVEN WITH GROUND LEVEL. STONES LIKE THESE FOR CHILDREN, CREMATION GRAVES, OR OTHER SPECIAL GRAVESITES MAY BE OF DIFFERENT SIZES. ALMOST ALL CEMETERIES ACCEPT THIS TYPE OF MEMORIAL. MONUMENT OR UPRIGHT MONUMENT THESE INCLUDE MANY SHAPES & SIZES, BUT ALWAYS STAND STRAIGHT UP FROM THE GROUND. SOME ARE MAGNIFICENT & ORNATE. YOUR CEMETERY MAY OR MAY NOT ALLOW THESE. SOME CEMETERIES ALLOW THEM ONLY IN CERTAIN SECTIONS. FIND OUT BEFORE PURCHASING ONE OF THESE. YOUR LOCAL MONUMENT DEALER CAN ALSO GET YOU THIS INFORMATION. BENCH THESE COME IN VARIOUS SIZES AND SHAPES. THEY ARE  BEAUTIFUL & CONVENIENT, ESPECIALLY IF FAMILY MEMBERS LIKE TO LINGER A WHILE AT THEIR LOVED ONE'S GRAVESITE. SLANT OR SLANT MONUMENT THESE STAND UP FROM THE GROUND, BUT ARE NOT VERTICAL LIKE MONUMENTS. THEY HAVE A SLANTED FRONT SIDE. THEY CAN BE SET ON A BASE OR SET ON A CONCRETE FOUNDATION. THEY COME IN VARIOUS SIZES, AND CAN BE USED FOR A SINGLE GRAVE, OR FOR TWO GRAVES AS A COMPANION PIECE. LEDGER OR HALF-LEDGER THESE ARE LARGE MEMORIALS WHICH ARE SET EVEN WITH THE GROUND LIKE MARKERS. A FULL LEDGER IS USUALLY 30"X72" AND A HALF-LEDGER IS USUALLY 30"X36". THE ADVANTAGE OF THESE IS THE AMOUNT OF ROOM FOR LETTERING AND CUSTOM DESIGNS. BRONZE MEMORIALS THESE ARE METAL, AS OPPOSED TO STONE. THEY CAN BE MOUNTED ON A GRANITE BASE, OR SET ON A CONCRETE FOUNDATION. THEY CAN BE PURCHASED WITH OR WITHOUT A FLOWER VASE. MANY VETERAN'S MEMORIALS ARE MADE OF BRONZE.