My sister and I went to Georgia Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery in Marietta, GA earlier…read morethis year to start pre-paying for our mother's funeral arrangements. It was the wisest decision on our part to start preparing for something that we knew would happen one day.
We first worked with Alvin Myint, who was very caring and compassionate while helping us choose a plan within our means that would be as beautiful and dignified as we would want for our mother. The day came soon after, with the heart breaking news that our mom should be moved to hospice. She passed 10 days later, April 7, 2019. I immediately called Lawrence Camp, who is one of the funeral directors. He was so sympathetic and helped me through the process of what would happen at that point. Lawrence has a calming voice and knew how to tell me all would be okay. I appreciated his words, "trust me". At that point I knew I could.
The moment my sister and I stepped in the doors of the funeral home after mom passed, we felt like family with everyone there. Both Alvin and Lawrence were very helpful with the final arrangements. We never felt rushed, although we knew there was a sense of urgency to take care of some of the last minute details like clothing, photos, food at the viewing and after the service, colors of the flowers and most of all, what to expect.
There were decisions to be made but somehow with his and Alvin's help, the stress became less and the fond memories helped us through the final arrangements.
The moment came when we were to see mom for the first and close to the last time. As my sister and aunts and I walked into the parlor, we saw and felt that Lawrence helped capture the essence of our mother with the ambiance and every nuance in the room. The pictures, the video, the Serbian Kolo music playing in the background and everything that would bring back those distinct, wonderful memories with mom. The room was beautiful, our mother looked as graceful as she once was and she was at peace.
I know when most people think of remembering their loved ones who pass away, they immediately think of sadness and grief. So, please don't get me wrong, I do feel those emotions immensely. However, we were comforted knowing we were well taken care of by those who knew our needs and could help us through the difficult of time of saying goodbye and laying our mother to rest. The day of the funeral, my uncle became ill and my aunt had to take him to Urgent Care. She was late getting back to the hotel and would be late for the funeral. Lawrence was very compassionate and told us not to worry, that we could wait on her to arrive before it began.
Our mother's funeral was beautiful, dignified and a celebration of how we wanted to remember her. All emotion aside, I wouldn't have wanted to share her life any other way.
As stressful as all the planning can be, preparation and having the compassion and support of the staff at Dignity Memorial is the most prudent decision one can make for themselves or a loved one. Thank you Lawrence, Alvin, Greg, Mason, Richard and everyone who helped us at Dignity/Georgia Memorial Park.
In Loving Memory of Nada Miloshevich Baker.