What is a ‘Death Doula’?
You may have heard the term “death doula” in recent years and intuitively understood that it was a growing profession of dedicated people who wanted to help the dying and their families with their end-of-life care. When women began to use birth doulas and midwives,...
Your ‘Loved & Lost’ Letters
This month, we’ve been inviting you to share letters to people in your life who have passed away. As we shared in our last blog, the act of writing can be healing and sharing those letters can help others. If you’d like to share your letters with us, you can email us...
Letters to Loved & Lost
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it is the time of year to think about the people we love, even — or perhaps especially — the people who have passed away. If you’d like to join us in celebrating that love, there is more information on how to participate at the...
Study: More People Dying at Home
For the first time since the early 20th century, more people are dying at home than in hospitals. And about half of those who die at home receive hospice help from home health aides, hospice and palliative care workers and nurses. Death doulas are also increasingly...
How to Write an Obituary
Writing your own obituary is a great way to help shape your personal life story after you die. There is no right or wrong way to do it, and there are many alternatives to publishing it when the time comes. A recent article in the Seattle Times explained how the act of...
When is it Time for Hospice Care?
There comes a point when families and patients must decide whether it is time to enter hospice care. There are a number of factors to consider, including whether treatment is no longer effective. It is a difficult decision, but experts agree that choosing to enter...
What We Learned At End Well 19
Just about eight short months after we launched our start-up, we headed south to San Francisco to one of the largest end-of-life symposiums in the country, End Well 19. We knew we would learn a lot about this rapidly-changing field, but we were blown away by the...
Resolve to Make an After-Life Plan in 2020
With the coming of a new year, many resolve to get in shape or end bad habits. But creating an after-life plan might be the best resolution you’ve ever made because it will take the weight off family members in the future and give you peace of mind right now. Here are...
Words of Comfort for the Grieving
When someone is grieving, it can be difficult to know what to say. But experts have advice to keep you from either rambling on or saying nothing, both of which could leave you feeling both awkward and guilty. The New York Time’s Crowdwise column has excellent advice...
8 Things You Can Do With Cremation Ashes
As more people choose cremation for their loved ones (nearly 90 percent of Northwest residents are expected to opt for cremation by 2030), new markets are popping up with creative options for their “ashes.” A side note: cremated remains, sometimes called “cremains,”...
10 Rituals That Can Get You Through the Holidays
After losing a loved one during the year, facing the holidays can be tough. But there are small rituals that can help you remember them and give yourself a meaningful, active way to grieve alone or with family and friends. These 10 ideas are just a small fraction of...
Talk Death Over Turkey
As you pull your turkey out of the oven and gather friends and family around the table, why not make room for an often uninvited guest — death. According to “Death over Dinner” founder, Michael Hebb, dinner is the perfect opportunity to discuss a topic that’s been...
Why We Founded Solace
By now, you’ve probably heard our story. Two “Nike guys” leave the sneaker giant in 2017 and launch our own creative agency, CO-Lab. Then about a year ago, we start exploring a new business idea. We discover that people want an alternative to the traditional funeral...
Vet’s Benefits Help Families Celebrate Their Service
Families of veterans may not be aware of the many benefits due to them to honor their loved one’s service to the country after they pass away. These benefits can help defray the cost of arrangements as well as give special meaning to their service, even if they served...
Pacific Northwest Embracing Dia de los Muertos
Among the usual pumpkins, ghosts and goblins on neighborhood porches in celebration of Halloween, you may have seen a growing number of Dia de los Muertos-themed decorations and traditions popping up -- altars to relatives who have passed away, brightly-colored, folk...
Understanding the Difference Between Palliative and Hospice Care
Learning the difference between palliative care and hospice can be confusing, since both are centered on giving the patient comfort for their symptoms. But palliative care and hospice care, though related, are not the same. Comfort for Symptoms According to the...
Why Washington is an Exciting New Market for Solace
Solace Cremation is Bringing Innovative Death Care Services to Seattle Seattle has long been a trend-setting city. The home of Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks and Amazon, the Emerald City is often on the cutting edge of social trends and inventions. From evaporated milk...
Who is the Next of Kin?
The next of kin is a deceased person’s closest living relative over the age of 18. A surviving spouse or domestic partner is the first to be defined as next of kin, followed by the deceased’s children. The next of kin has the legal ability to authorize cremation or burial.
Meet Malisa Riceci, Solace Cremation’s Funeral Director
Get to know Solace’s funeral director Malisa Riceci. For over 15 years, Malisa has been providing compassionate care to Portland area families in their time of need.
Is Cremation More Affordable than Burial?
The most affordable method of disposition is direct cremation, which takes place in the days following the death without a traditional funeral service beforehand.
How to Thank Your Hospice Care Provider
Hospice workers offer exemplary care to patients and their families by lessening the burden on families and putting the patient first. Here’s how to show them some appreciation for their hard work and the compassion that they provide.
What Does Solace’s Direct Cremation Service Include?
Solace’s direct cremation service and price is different from other funeral homes because it includes everything someone would want or need from a direct cremation service for one all-inclusive price.
Why Inclusive Pricing Matters for Cost of Cremation
Most people find out the real cost of cremation at the absolute worst time—when a loved one has died and they’re in the midst of their own grief. It’s a time when regular life can feel turned upside down. You navigate a process that may be completely new. We know...
How Different Religions View Cremation
While cremation is widely accepted, there are some religions that prohibit the practice and prefer burial or traditional funeral services. Others see cremation services as acceptable but have specific guidelines to be followed.
What Should I Know About Social Security Benefits?
We often receive questions about Social Security benefits – whether families are eligible to receive benefits or how to return benefits that were received. Solace always notifies social security when someone has passed away.
6 Things to Know About Hospice Care
If your loved one has a late-stage illness, including Alzheimers and Dementia, they may be asked about beginning hospice care. Hospice care provides a holistic level of care that includes medical, emotional, spiritual and grief support for both a patient and their families.
How to Hold a Home Viewing Before Cremation or Burial
In Oregon, home funerals and home viewings before burial or cremation services are both legal and safe. The number of people embracing Do-It-Yourself funerals is growing. Home funerals can save money and also create bonding opportunities for people and their loved ones.
How to Help a Grieving Friend
When a friend is grieving, it’s hard to know the right things to say or do. Sometimes you may not want to talk about it at all with them to avoid saying the wrong thing. Even small acts in empathy, comfort and support go a long way in helping someone who is grieving.
What is a Celebration of Life?
Celebrations of life can incorporate religious or cultural customs or family traditions. Celebrations may involve music and performance, readings and the sharing of memories. They can take place anywhere – a special restaurant, a park or place or worship.
How to Talk to Your Parents About Death
Having a conversation when your parents are still in good health and in control of their decisions can be an empowering and therapeutic experience. When we talk to our parents about after-life plans, we can honor their wishes after they pass.
6 Questions to Ask Your Loved One About After-Life Planning
It’s not easy to talk to loved ones about making an after-life plan. When you’re ready to have “the talk,” create an outline with your goals and what you plan to ask. Here are 6 questions to kick off your conversation.
What is Direct Cremation?
Direct cremation means the body of your loved one is cremated in the days immediately following the death, without a funeral service beforehand. Read to learn more about the cremation process.
6 Things To Do When My Loved One Dies
If you know your loved one may pass soon, it helps to be prepared and have a plan of action to take when the time comes. Here are some important things to do when a loved one dies.
What is a Death Certificate?
A death certificate is a legal document that creates a demographic snapshot of your loved one when they leave this world. Death certificates include statistics and medical information pertaining to your loved one, including whether they were cremated or buried.