This year for my evening devotions I am using a book of daily notes by Billy Graham titled, “Wisdom for Each Day“.  It was in the back of my mind to write something for Thanksgiving for Funeral Director Daily.  Then, I read the November 24 entry from “Wisdom for Each Day” and decided Billy Graham was a much more eloquent and talented writer than I could ever hope to be. . . so today you are receiving one of Mr. Graham’s Thanksgiving messages.

Here it is:

“The Pilgrim Fathers who landed at Plymouth to settle in what became the United States of America can teach us an important lesson about giving thanks.

 

During that first long winter, seven times as many graves were made for the dead as homes were made for the living.  Seed, imported from England, failed to grow, and a ship that was to bring food and relief brought instead thirty-five more mouths to feed, but no provisions.  Some pilgrims caught fish, and other hunted wild fowl and deer.  They had a little English flour and some Indian corn.

 

Yet William Brewster, rising from a scanty dinner of clams and water, gave thanks to God “for the abundance of the sea and the treasure hid in the sand.”

 

According to today’s standards, the Pilgrims had almost nothing, but they possessed a profound and heartfelt gratitude to God for His love and mercy.  Gratitude is one of the greatest Christian virtues; ingratitude, one of the most vicious sins.

 

Our English words thank and think come from the same word.  If we’ll stop to think, we’ll be more thankful. 

 

So, in 1621, who was there at what is known as the “First Thanksgiving”?  Here is one version that I found:

“The “First Thanksgiving” was a 1621 harvest feast shared between 52 English Pilgrims and 90 Wampanoag people in what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts.  It was a three-day event to celebrate a successful harvest, and the meal included wild fowl, deer, and local produce like corn and pumpkin, though it did not feature modern Thanksgiving staples like pumpkin pie. The event is a cornerstone of American history, but much of its modern perception is based on stories created centuries later.”    

Here is some more American history on the subject of Thanksgiving Day:

Article –  George Washington led the charge to establish Thanksgiving

Presidential Proclamation  #118— President Abraham Lincoln establishes Thanksgiving Day in 1864

Presidential Proclamation #2372— President Franklin D. Roosevelt establishes a fixed holiday for Thanksgiving as the 4th Thursday in November.

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“A servant’s attitude guided by Christ leads to a significant life”

April 4, 2025

Losing a loved one is an emotional and challenging time, and navigating the funeral process can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s your first time making funeral arrangements or you’re unsure about certain aspects of the process, it’s natural to have many questions. Understanding the typical procedures and options available can help ease the burden during this difficult time. Here are some of the most frequently asked funeral questions and their answers to guide you through the process. 1. What is the difference between a funeral and a memorial service? A funeral typically involves a ceremony held with the body of the deceased present, either before or during burial or cremation. It often includes a viewing or wake, where family and friends can pay their respects. A memorial service , on the other hand, takes place after the body has been buried or cremated and does not involve the presence of the body. Memorial services may be held in various settings, such as homes, churches, or other venues, and can be personalized to reflect the life of the deceased. 2. What is embalming, and is it required? Embalming is a process that involves preserving the body to delay decomposition, usually for viewing purposes. It is not legally required in most places but may be necessary if the body is to be displayed at a public service or transported over long distances. In cases where there will be no viewing, embalming is typically not needed. However, certain states or countries may have regulations about embalming or the timing of burial. It’s important to check with the funeral home to determine what’s required in your area. 3. How much does a funeral cost? The cost of a funeral can vary greatly depending on factors like location, the type of service, and the funeral home you choose. There are options to help manage funeral expenses, such as cremation (which can be less expensive than burial), choosing a less elaborate service, or purchasing a funeral plan in advance. 4. What is cremation, and how does it differ from burial? Cremation involves the process of reducing the body to ashes. Many people choose cremation for its simplicity, lower cost, and flexibility in how the ashes can be kept, scattered, or interred. Some people opt for a cremation memorial service, where the ashes are present but there is no body. Burial , on the other hand, involves placing the body in a casket and then burying it in a cemetery. This option may include the purchase of a grave plot, headstone, and other related services. The choice between cremation and burial depends on personal, cultural, and religious preferences. 5. What are the steps in planning a funeral? Planning a funeral typically involves the following steps: Notify family and friends : Reach out to close family and friends and inform them of the passing. Choose a funeral home : Select a funeral home to help with arrangements, including embalming (if applicable), obtaining necessary permits, and coordinating transportation. Select the type of service : Decide on whether you want a funeral, memorial, or graveside service. You’ll also need to choose the location and any religious or cultural elements to incorporate. Choose a casket or urn : Select a casket for burial or an urn for cremation. There are many styles and price ranges to choose from. Plan the ceremony : Work with the funeral director to plan the service, including music, readings, eulogies, and floral arrangements. Arrange for transportation : The funeral home will coordinate the transportation of the body to the service and burial or cremation site. 6. Should I pre-plan a funeral? Pre-planning a funeral is a personal choice. Many people choose to pre-plan to relieve their loved ones of the burden of making arrangements during a time of grief. Pre-planning allows you to specify your wishes for the service, casket, burial, and other aspects of the funeral, ensuring your desires are respected. Additionally, pre-paying for a funeral can help protect your family from rising costs in the future. However, it’s important to carefully consider pre-planning options, as funeral costs can vary, and you’ll want to ensure that the plan is flexible and fully understood by the family members who will carry out your wishes. 7. What are the options for scattering ashes? If you choose cremation, there are many options for what to do with the ashes: Scattering : Many people choose to scatter the ashes in a location that had significance to the deceased, such as a favorite park, beach, or nature spot. Keepsake urns : Some families choose to keep a portion of the ashes in a special urn or piece of jewelry. Interment : Ashes can be interred in a family plot or at a cemetery, either in a niche or within a memorial garden. Other creative options : There are many creative options for commemorating the deceased, including turning ashes into diamonds or using them to create a memorial reef. 8. What is a death certificate, and why is it important? A death certificate is an official document issued by a governmental authority that confirms the death of a person. It is essential for handling legal and financial matters, such as settling the deceased’s estate, claiming life insurance, and closing accounts. The funeral home typically assists in obtaining several copies of the death certificate. 9. Can I personalize a funeral service? Absolutely! Many families choose to personalize the funeral service to reflect the deceased’s personality, passions, or hobbies. You can incorporate meaningful music, photos, special readings, or even display personal items that were important to the deceased. The funeral director can help guide you through creative options for personalization. 10. What should I do if I can’t attend the funeral? If you’re unable to attend the funeral in person, consider sending flowers, a sympathy card, or making a charitable donation in the deceased’s honor. If the family holds a memorial service, they may also offer the option to participate virtually, such as through a livestream. It’s always thoughtful to express your condolences in any way possible. Funeral planning can be complex, but understanding the answers to these frequently asked questions can help make the process easier to navigate. Whether you are arranging a funeral for a loved one or pre-planning your own, it’s important to take the time to make informed decisions. By doing so, you can create a meaningful, respectful ceremony that honors the life and memory of the deceased, while providing comfort to those who are grieving.

Noodle to Die For: Chinese Funeral Home Cracks Down on Fake Mourners Chasing Legendary Funeral Food

Funeral food—it’s a tradition as old as the act of mourning itself. Whether it’s ham biscuits in the South, casseroles in the Midwest, or those oddly comforting finger sandwiches that seem to appear at every memorial service, food has always been a way to bring people together in times of loss. But in China, one funeral home’s reputation for serving up next-level noodles has created an unexpected problem—mourners who aren’t actually mourning.

Yes, you read that right. Dedicated foodies have been crashing funerals, donning somber attire, and bowing their heads just long enough to pass as grieving guests—all for a shot at slurping down some of the best noodles in town.

Now, the funeral home has had enough and is cracking down on these so-called “culinary mourners.” But this bizarre phenomenon raises a bigger question: just how important is food in the funeral experience? And could America’s funeral homes take a page from this (albeit slightly sketchy) playbook?

How a Funeral Home Became a Foodie Destination

In China, like in many parts of the world, funerals are often accompanied by a meal. It’s a way to honor the dead, support the grieving family, and, let’s be honest, provide some much-needed comfort carbs in a difficult moment.

This particular funeral home, located in Jiangxi province, became famous not just for its services, but for its ridiculously good food—specifically, its noodles. Word spread, and suddenly, the bereaved weren’t the only ones showing up for a bowl.

Reports say that some of these noodle-obsessed intruders weren’t even subtle. People were arriving at services dressed in dark clothing, hanging in the back during ceremonies, and then conveniently finding their way to the dining hall as if they’d just lost their dearest Uncle Li.

And while funeral homes are typically places of quiet reflection, staff started noticing the same “mourners” popping up again and again. Something had to give.

Funeral Food: A Global Tradition

This noodle-fueled fiasco highlights something funeral professionals already know: food and grief are inseparable.

In the U.S., funeral meals are a time-honored tradition. Think about it: the post-service meal is often one of the few moments where families actually sit, exhale, and share stories. And funeral homes, especially those embracing hospitality, are starting to see the value in incorporating food services into their offerings.

Consider these facts:

• In the South, the “funeral spread” is a thing of legend. Fried chicken, mac and cheese, and at least three different types of pie are almost mandatory.
• In the Midwest, it’s casseroles all the way down. A grieving family could live off lasagna and tater tot hotdish for weeks after a well-attended funeral.
• Jewish shivas offer comfort in the form of bagels, brisket, and kugel.
• Black funeral traditions in the U.S. often feature soul food staples—collard greens, cornbread, and, of course, fried fish.
• Italian-American funerals? Just assume someone’s rolling in with a tray of baked ziti.

A 2022 survey found that nearly 80% of Americans associate food with their memories of a funeral. And with the growing trend of “celebration of life” services, funeral catering is becoming more popular than ever.

Could Funeral Home Dining Be the Next Big Thing?

Now, no one’s suggesting that funeral homes in the U.S. start luring in paying customers with Michelin-starred pot roasts, but the reality is: food matters.

Some forward-thinking funeral homes are already exploring ways to incorporate dining into their services:

• Greene’s Funeral Home in South Carolina has a small in-house kitchen that provides light refreshments for grieving families.
• A funeral home in Minnesota recently renovated to include a full bar, allowing families to toast their loved ones with a bourbon instead of just black coffee.
• Some funeral homes partner with local caterers, offering families full meal packages as part of the service planning.

So, while China’s noodle-loving gatecrashers might be taking things a bit too far, they’re also proving a point: great food has a way of bringing people together—even in grief.

The Verdict: A Bowl of Noodles Is One Thing, But Boundaries Matter

The Chinese funeral home in question has since put measures in place to prevent these grief groupies from taking advantage of the system. Reports indicate that staff are now carefully monitoring attendance and may require proof of relation to the deceased before anyone can step into the dining area.

For the funeral professionals reading this, take this as a lesson in how much people value the communal aspect of funerals—and how food is often at the heart of that experience.

Because whether it’s a steaming bowl of Chinese noodles, a plate of Southern fried chicken, or a casserole from a well-meaning neighbor, one thing is clear: people come for the funeral, but they stay for the food.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s something funeral homes should embrace—minus the noodle bandits, of course.