tatemortuary

Helpful Links

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 19:32:41 GMT

Local resources for all your support and planning needs.

While we’re always here for you if you need additional help or have questions, we know that you may need help from other resources as well. We recommend these additional places to go for help, as you need them.

Funeral Merchandise

How To Write an Obituary

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:54:14 GMT

A simple checklist for making sure your obituary honors and informs.

When a loved one has passed away, writing an obituary that honors their life can seem overwhelming. Don’t worry – your obituary will honor their life simply by the act of you writing it. You want to celebrate your loved one’s life and offer happy or enjoyable memories. You are helping to ease the pain of others simply by telling a story about your loved one.

We hope that this checklist will take the stress and pressure off of you and allow you to honor your loved one simply. Remember, your funeral arranger is an experienced professional, and he/she is a valuable resource for writing the obituary.

1. Include all the basic details about the person’s life.

You don’t have to include all of this information, but here are the basics that are often included in an obituary. Choose the elements that are most relevant to your loved one:

Age
Any familial survivors
Education
Vocation
When the person retired, if relevant
Any military affiliations
Any volunteer affiliations

2. Include funeral information.

Family and friends often rely on an obituary for information on when and where a person’s life will be celebrated, so your obituary will make it very simple for them to get that information (and will save you the hassle of having to answer lots of questions at a time when you would prefer not to be bothered with small details). You can include:

Date and time of the funeral
Place the funeral is being held
Any viewing details
Requests for donations in lieu of flowers

How To Write a Eulogy

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:48:40 GMT

A 7 step guide to writing a eulogy that honors your loved one.

1. Interview family and friends

Don’t feel that the complete weight of remembering your loved one is on your shoulders. Instead, ask family members or friends to share their stories of your loved one. This process itself can be very cathartic, as the act of remembering and sharing can help in the healing process itself.

2. Tell a story (or stories)

Everyone at the service will appreciate your personal memories of your loved one. Don’t worry about remembering each detail, perfectly; just share the details that matter to you. To think about a good story, try out some of these prompts:

What’s a favorite memory you have?
What made them laugh?
What was their proudest moment in life?
What did they most enjoy?
What’s a little-known fact about your loved one?
These questions will help you to remember some enjoyable stories and can serve as a jumping-off point.

3. Don’t think about it as public speaking

Sure, you might be speaking in front of a lot of people. But, no one is judging you or analyzing what you’re saying. They’re simply listening and appreciating, and thinking about their own personal connection to the deceased. However, if you want to feel more confident while delivering your lines, it can be helpful to write everything down in case you experience a moment of nerves up there, as we all often do.

4. Keep it brief

Share as much as you want to share, but don’t feel that you have to overburden yourself with pages of stories. Choose the one or two that are most meaningful to you, and you’ll have a eulogy that truly does justice in celebrating your loved one.

5. Read it out loud

Before the service, read the speech out loud to yourself or to a trusted family member or friend. They’ll help calm any nerves, make any suggestions about what resonates the most with them or pick out any particularly inspirational elements to focus on further.

6. Humor heals

It’s OK, and perfectly acceptable, to be funny or tell a humorous story in a eulogy. At a time that brings sadness to many people, it is important and hugely helpful to be celebrating a life well lived with funny memories and entertaining anecdotes.

7. Take a deep breath

Finally, relax. It can be difficult given all that you’re going through right now, but be at peace knowing that you’re honoring and celebrating your loved one.

Looking for some inspiration of what others in your situation wrote when they were in your shoes? Here are some examples of some truly inspiring words written in honor of deceased celebrities. And just remember, speak what you feel and your eulogy will turn out perfectly.

Funeral Etiquette

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:37:39 GMT

Let us guide you through the ins and outs of your funeral experience.

Attending a service at Tate Mortuary

DO:

Watch over children to ensure their safety.
Follow our cemetery guidelines.
Respect cemetery visiting hours.
Follow the marked roadways.
Be respectful by keeping quiet around visitors who wish to reflect.

DONT’S:

Stay longer than you want to. It’s all about what you’re comfortable doing, don’t feel that you need to linger if you’ve celebrated your loved one in a way that feels right to you.
Be afraid to laugh and share happy memories and stories. Laughter and telling happy stories can be the best medicine on the road to healing.
Feel that you need to look at the deceased. If this is something you’re not comfortable doing, there is no need to do so. A service is about your comfort level and your desire to celebrate the person in a way most meaningful to you.
Let your children be too loud and disturb others. As always, respect others and practice awareness.
Leave your cell phone ringer on. No one needs that additional noise when they’re trying to reflect.
Be afraid to make a mistake or do something wrong. You are doing something right just by coming and caring.

We are Here to Help

Perhaps you’ve got special concerns about an upcoming funeral or memorial service? We’re here to provide the answers you’re looking for. Call us at (435) 882-0676 .

Funeral Questions

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:26:06 GMT

Everything you need to know about funerals.

What is a funeral?

A funeral is any ceremony that offers an opportunity for family members and friends of the deceased to express love, respect, honor, and grief for a loved one. Whether you choose traditional burial, cremation, or green burial, a funeral offers the bereaved a place to celebrate life and take the first step towards healing.

What do funeral directors do?

Essentially, a funeral director is trained to anticipate your needs and help you decide on the details of your service. But, in the end, it is you who knows your loved one best, so a director is here to simply help arrange any type of service that will honor and celebrate your loved one. Directors can be caregivers, planners, organizers, and advisors all at once. They are trained to answer questions about grief, recognize when a person’s having difficulty coping, and recommend sources of professional help. Funeral directors can also link survivors with support groups at the funeral home or in the community.

Why do we need an obituary notice?

An obituary notice serves to celebrate the life of a loved one. They’re also nice for friends and family of the deceased, as they detail the many memories and stories of a person’s life. Publishing an obituary can also help take some of the burdens of having to notify many people about funeral details off your plate. For more information, check out our guide on how to write a beautiful obituary.

What type of service should I have?

You have the utmost control in deciding the service you want. The cemetery counselor and the funeral director are there to help you understand all the options available so that you can plan a service that is truly personalized and tailored to your loved one. You can incorporate memories into the service, whether that be through a favorite type of music, some readings that reflect them or a special type of flower. Above all, you should feel that the service appropriately reflects your loved one and the people he or she touched.

Can I personalize my funeral service?

Absolutely, in fact, we recommend it. After all, a funeral is a celebration of life and each life lived is unique. Funeral directors are happy to discuss any and all options to ensure your funeral is tailored to your wishes, and you’ll find that you can personalize services in many unique ways. You can reach out to us at any time to explore your options, or view our service page for more information.

Is cremation a substitute for a funeral?

A cremation is an alternative form of final disposition, but it can and frequently does still follow a funeral service. Our cemetery also offers green options such as scattering ashes around our lush, beautiful grounds. We can assist you with the necessary information about cremation, including the details of several wonderful cremation burial options or ash scattering if this is an avenue you wish to explore.

Can I have a visitation period and a funeral service if cremation is chosen?

Absolutely! Cremation does not mean you cannot have a visitation period and a funeral service. Cremation is simply one option for the final disposition of the body.

What is the purpose of embalming?

Embalming is a process to sanitize and preserve the body. It also makes it possible to lengthen the time between death and the final disposition, allowing family members time to arrange the type of service most comforting to them and begin their own healing processes. While this is a personal decision for you to make, the emotional benefits of viewing the deceased can be quite helpful, particularly to those who are having difficulty dealing with the death.

What should I do if the death occurs in the middle of the night or on the weekend?

We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All you need to do is place a call to us at (435) 882-0676 . We can help lead you in the right direction.

What should I do if a death occurs while away from home?

Your funeral director can help you if a death occurs anywhere on the globe. The director will coordinate all arrangements that are needed to get your loved one safely back to his or her community. Please refer to When A Death Occurs for the key steps you can follow in the event this occurs.

Is embalming mandatory by law?

It is not, but there are factors of time and health that may make embalming either appropriate or necessary. Please note that embalming may be required if the deceased is being transported by air to another country where local laws need to be observed. You can always contact us if you have questions on this subject, as we know it can be an unfamiliar subject to many.

Funerals seem so expensive – why is that?

When you’re in the middle of planning a funeral, it seems like there are so many costs that go along with it. That’s because funerals incorporate many elements, from viewing rooms and chapels to limousines and caskets. But each of these elements helps ensure that every detail is perfect, and there are options available for every preference and budget. We can help you decide what options are right for you.

Have the costs of funerals increased significantly?

We know that funerals can seem expensive when you’re in the middle of planning, but costs have not increased significantly. In fact, funeral costs have kept pace with the general consumer price index. You can always talk to us to figure out an option that meets your needs.

What recourse do I have for poor service or overcharging?

Most funeral homes provide outstanding services, but sometimes outcomes may not be exactly what you had in mind. In most cases, it makes sense to discuss problems directly with the funeral director first. But if the dispute cannot be resolved by talking with the funeral director, you may wish to contact the Federal Trade Commission by contacting the Consumer Response Center. You should never hesitate to refrain from speaking up if you’re unhappy with the final result.