Helpful Articles
“I knew that I wanted to be a funeral director since the 6th grade.”
For many people, not being able to talk with friends and family who have died is a part of their ongoing grief.
Let’s start off by explaining that a labyrinth is a meandering curved path, with a single route from the outer edge that leads to the center.
Parthemore Funeral Home & Cremation Services is pleased to welcome Ashley Mann, licensed funeral director, to the staff.
Gilbert A. “Gibby” Parthemore has been named Supervisor of Parthemore Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
Carter’s public disclosure has really opened up the conversation about issues surrounding death and end-of-life care.
How to Make Your Loved Ones’ Lives Easier and Your Own Life More Pleasant. The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Make Your Loved Ones’ Lives Easier and Your Own Life More Pleasant.
We need to be careful that our pursuit of convenience doesn’t erode the meaning and purpose of the funeral experience.
The Parthemore Family would like to thank everyone who attended services, sent condolences and reached out to us. The memories that you shared and your kindness will help us as we mourn the loss of Gil. We pledge to continue his legacy of serving our community.
Gil’s grandsons Gibby and Garrison paid tribute to their “Pap” during his funeral service. Each of them shared some of the many ways that Gil made a difference in their lives and those of other community members. Here are some excerpts of their eulogies.
Mother’s Day can prove to be challenging for anyone who is mourning the loss of their mother, even long after she passed. It can also be difficult to find meaningful ways to honor your mother and her life on Mother’s Day. Even though your mother is no longer here, you can still celebrate and remember her in ways that reflect the life that was unique to her.
After a loved one is cremated, about 70% of families opt to take the urn home with them after the funeral services. There are a number of reasons that families choose to take cremated remains home. Some are still working through their grief and want to hold onto their loved one a bit longer, others haven’t given thought to the final disposition of the ashes, or they have been left instructions about scattering or are simply uncertain what to do.
How We Describe Death Has Evolved Over The Years
Discussing death has always been a delicate topic, especially when it comes to crafting obituaries for loved ones. Over the years obituaries have evolved, shaped by society’s customs and the evolution of the language used to describe death in obituaries.
How we describe death today differs greatly from hundreds of years ago. This reflects not only the fact that attitudes towards death have changed, but also the prevalence of modern day causes of death. Back in the pre-1850’s many obituaries described death in euphemistic phrases like “slain by enemy” or “breathed her soul away into her Savior’s arms.”
The language of obituaries can be divided into three broad categories: polite euphemisms, transcendent experiences, and “there’s more to the story” style. Polite euphemisms are a gentle way to talk about death without mentioning the “d-word.” Transcendent experiences involve using religious or spiritual terms to define death. The “there’s more to the story” style-obituaries are similar to polite euphemisms in that they don’t explicitly state how someone died. This option is often used in times of sensitive topics such as overdose or suicide.
Grief is never easy, but the coming of the new year can make it harder. It can be daunting to face an entire new year stretching out in front of you. All the New Year celebrations are a constant reminder of the person you love and lost and how another year is coming without them in your life.
Steve Parthemore recently returned from the 2022 National Disaster Medical System Summit in Indianapolis, IN. At the summit, he was honored to receive the COVID 19 Pandemic Campaign Civilian Service Medal from the United States Public Health Service. During the pandemic in 2020, Steve deployed to Travis Air Force Base in California, Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Georgia, and New York City.
Steve said that the people who should get a medal are his family and the amazing staff at the funeral home, who make it possible for him to volunteer. He is truly grateful. With out their support, he would not have the opportunity to serve.
While attending the summit he enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with old friends he has met over the years during various deployments and preparing for future disasters, whether manmade or natural.
The pandemic was the longest and most sustained activation in NDMS History. During the event 15,352 responders made up 356 teams and completed 2,207 missions with
Members of the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association (PFDA) elected Bruce Parthemore, of Parthemore Funeral Home & Cremation Services as the 2022-23 President at the association’s convention. Organized in 1881, PFDA is one of the largest state funeral director associations in the nation.
Bruce Parthemore is a licensed funeral director and certified preplanning consultant. He attended West Virginia University and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and holds a Pennsylvania insurance license in life, annuities, accident and health. In addition to PFDA, Bruce is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Capital City Funeral Directors Association and the Order of the Golden Rule.
Along with being active in his local church, he is a member of the Harrisburg Kiwanis Club and the New Cumberland Olde Town Association. A long-time member of Caring Hearts Pet Therapy and Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Bruce and his certified therapy dogs Jasper and Maggie, regularly visit patients at the Penn State Children's Hospital.
He has been married to his wife, Becky, for 35 years. They have two adult children, a grandson and a granddaughter.
