Karen Roldan

Karen Roldan has been in the funeral industry since 2006, and a licensed funeral director and embalmer since 2008. She is currently licensed in the states of Indiana and Pennsylvania. She attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, IL, and graduated with an associate degree in Mortuary Science. Karen enjoys wring about the funeral industry because her passion is helping families in their deepest time of need. She feels being a funeral director is a calling and she is proud to fulfill this role. Karen is a wife and the mother of four sons. She, her husband and their youngest son call Pennsylvania home.

Death Announcements: Examples, Tips, How to Write & Post

July 24, 2023June 15, 2023 by Karen Roldan

What do you need to know about death announcements?

Today, we’ll be exploring these questions and more:

What is a death announcement?
Is an announcement of death necessary?
What is the difference between a death announcement and an obituary?
The difference between a death announcement and a death notice – is there one?
What is the appropriate way to inform others of a death?

If you’re unfamiliar with the proper etiquette for how to announce a death, well, that’s understandable. We’ve written this guide to help you know what to do, when to do it, and how to do so in an appropriate and respectful way.

Let’s dive in.

How Long Does Grief Last? The Grief Timeline You Can[‘t] Ignore

October 11, 2023April 27, 2023 by Karen Roldan

If you or someone close to you have experienced the loss of a loved one, at some point you’ll probably wonder, How long does grief last?

70 Best Memorial Plaques for Outdoors, Gifts, Photos, & More

July 24, 2023March 1, 2023 by Karen Roldan

Memorializing a loved one means something different to each of us. Some people will dedicate a park, a bench, or a tree in memory of someone. Others are happy to place a picture, a keepsake urn, or a memorial candle to honor their loved ones.

It doesn’t matter how big or small, how expensive or affordable; they are all important ways to say, “Your life mattered to me!”

If you’ve decided to honor your loved one’s memory with a memorial plaque, then we believe this list we’ve compiled will be very helpful for you. With so many beautiful options, it may be hard to pick which one would suit them best!

What Does Grief Do to Your Body?

July 24, 2023January 2, 2023 by Karen Roldan

Grief affects everyone. At some point in your lifetime you will experience grief, whether it is the death of a loved one or a pet, a breakup, or a dream that has fallen through.

Are you experiencing the physical effects of grief? Or have you ever wondered what happens to your body during this most stressful time?

At What Age Should You Plan Your Funeral?

October 4, 2023December 19, 2022 by Karen Roldan

Nobody likes to think about death and dying—especially when it’s about yourself. But, let’s face it, unless the rapture comes in your lifetime, you will eventually breathe your last. Being in the death industry as a funeral director/embalmer and pre-need counselor for over 16 years, I truly believe that planning your arrangements in advance is … Read more

Pet Cremation Costs: What to Expect & How to Save

September 19, 2023December 12, 2022 by Karen Roldan

Pet cremation is becoming the go-to choice when a beloved pet passes. After all, most pets are part of the family, and we want to treat them that way even in death.

As this service becomes more popular, it also becomes more affordable to the “average” person. Many funeral homes offer pet cremation, though they may not list it in their regular brochure. But you can rest assured your human loved one is never cremated in the same receptacle that your beloved pet is. Funeral homes actually outsource pet cremations to a third party.

Read on to learn more about cremating your pet and the ins and outs of making this decision.

60 Comforting Sympathy Messages for Loss of a Child

July 24, 2023November 21, 2022 by Karen Roldan

sympathy messages for loss of child - feature image

There can be no greater pain than the loss of a child. No parent should have to go through it, yet it happens every day. Someone, somewhere is saying a final goodbye to their child

Just a few words of advice from a funeral director, please don’t say, “I know how you feel.” Because you don’t. Even if you have been in the same situation, we all handle grief differently. Simply offer your love, support, compassion and a listening ear…

What Happens When You Die? 10 Things to Know

July 24, 2023October 31, 2022 by Karen Roldan

Death happens to us all. We know that every one of us will reach that point in our lives where our bodies shut down, and we will die.

And yet death is a mystery to the majority of people.

Keeping Cremated Remains at Home

July 24, 2023October 3, 2022 by Karen Roldan

There is nothing weird, harmful, or unsafe about keeping cremated remains in your home. Cremated ashes are clean and sanitary. The process of cremation has eliminated any potential contamination.

Additionally, the remains are kept separate and secure in a plastic bag inside of the cremation urn. This means that no one can easily tamper with the ashes, and you don’t have to worry about spills.

Sorry for Your Loss: 10 Alternative (and Better) Things to Say

January 31, 2024September 13, 2022 by Karen Roldan

What to say instead of "Sorry for your loss"

What are other ways to say condolence? You know, something other than “my deepest sympathy” or “my condolences” or the all-time classic:

“I am sorry for your loss.”

Sometimes this can be such an empty refrain.

At some point in our lives, we will all have to offer our condolences to someone. And just what will you say? The same old thing? Or something a little different, with more meaning? Something that is a little more personal and authentic?

You want to say something to the grieving person that means a little more than this much-repeated phrase.

Read on and you can learn to give better support to your grieving family members or friends with 10 alternative (and better) things to say than “I’m sorry for your loss.”