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John Keohane and Joe Reardon present Rick Doane (center) with their first harvest from the Keohane Funeral Home garden.  |
Harvest Helpers Underway
This past June, Keohane Funeral Home partnered with Interfaith Social Services to launch the first program of its kind in MA to help feed the hungry.
Harvest Helpers appealed to backyard gardeners to plant an extra row of produce which, when harvested, will be donated to the Interfaith Food Pantry in Quincy. "Now we can not only feed people but nourish them with healthy, home-grown produce, "said Rick Doane, Interfaith's Executive Director.
John Keohane added, "We planted a vegetable garden at Keohane's that is tended by Scott Whittemore. We are harvesting tomatoes, beans, peppers, squash, and more," he added. But we know that there are more gardeners out there who are willing to donate vegetables and fruit from their gardens as well.
"This has been a fun activity that all of us have been involved in ... it is such a sensible way to help our neighbors in need," explained Joe Reardon, the director of advanced planning at Keohane Funeral Home.
Gardeners wishing to donate produce to the Food Pantry can do just by contacting Rick Doane at the Food Pantry (617-773-6203) to arrange a drop-off.
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Senior Seminar | | Information vital to Seniors and their families will be presented by a trio of experts at the Quincy Neighborhood Center on October 5th.
Sponsored by Keohane Funeral and Cremation Service, Ron Kearns, Esq., Joe Reardon, and John Keohane will speak about key issues, including estate planning, asset protection, Veterans' benefits, preplanning funeral expenses, and options concerning cremation.
To register for this free event, phone Joe Reardon at 617-773-3551 or email joe@keohane.com.
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Local Apprentice Earns Certification |
Amanda Milligan, Funeral Director | Congratulations to Amanda Milligan on completing her apprenticeship and becoming a licensed funeral director!
Some might think funeral service is an unlikely career for Amanda ... at Brockton High School, she was the stereotypical bubbly cheerleader who loved dancing and going to baseball games. When a freshman "job shadow" school assignment required her to select an occupation to study, she knew she didn't want work that would "stick her behind a desk all day." Amanda explained, "I looked over the list of jobs and I picked the craziest one on the list!" Amanda selected funeral service and "shadowed" several funeral directors in Whitman for (a week). She found it interesting and learned that her compassion enabled her to talk to people who were probably "experiencing the worst day of their lives."
After graduating Brockton High School, Amanda attended Mount Ida College in Newton to become a funeral director and joined Keohane Funeral Home as an apprentice in June, 2004. "Most of the funeral directors I've met have grown up in the business," Amanda said. "For me it was different. At first my family was concerned that I wouldn't like it. But I found that I am easily able to relate to the families we serve. At the Keohane Funeral Homes, we serve families from different cultures and religions - the Asian community, Portuguese and Greek families, as an example. I am fascinated by the traditions of these cultures and recognize how important it is for us to personalize the funeral service with their own respected customs."
"Amanda is young, but she has a self-confidence that appeals to the families we serve," said John Keohane. She is able to establish rapport and trust and to comfort grieving family members. She has worked with us at Keohane Funeral Home for more than four years, and we are thrilled that she has received her licensed funeral director's certification."
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Quincy Chamber of Commerce Healthy Workplace Fitness Challenge |
Team: 6 Lbs. Under: Joe, Amanda, Maureen, Barbara, and John | In June, Keohane Funeral Home joined 21 other Quincy businesses in the Healthy Workplace Fitness Challenge, sponsored by the Chamber's Quincy Health, Beauty, & Wellness League.
The Keohane team, "Six Lbs. Under" included John Keohane, Joe Reardon, Barbara Foulsham, Maureen Aronson, and Amanda Milligan who have been coached by a personal trainer during a six-week period that began in late June.
"We had to check in with our coach at regular intervals to earn points," John Keohane explained. "We also earned points for completing at least 30 minutes of activity per day, losing inches and weight, improving our BMI (body mass index), and for improved cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar counts."
The team met weekly on each Tuesday to review their progress that week and then to check-in with their trainer. At the end of the Fitness Challenge, the Team lost 22 lbs., a total of 9" and had exercised for more than 142 hours!
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August Moon Festival - This Sunday! |
August Moon Festival Dragon Dancers | Mark your calendars for this year's Quincy August Moon Festival. This event which has been celebrated every year since 1988, will be held on Sunday, August 22 from 11am-5pm at Quincy Center, 1400-1600 Hancock Street.
This is a free, family-friendly event including live performances throughout the day, delicious food, and a children's area! The all day festivities include musical entertainment, dancing, drums, dragons, martial arts, food, colorful costumes, vendors, and much more.
The Festival is organized and presented by Quincy Asian Resources, a non-profit that serves the Asian population of the South Shore through information and referral services, translation, and youth leadership programs.
The August Moon Festival is an important cultural event forthe South Shore and the Quincy communities. Please join us in celebration of the Asian culture and community!
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Frequently Asked Questions |
If I choose cremation, can I still have a funeral?
One of the important things to remember is that choosing cremation does not limit your ceremonial choices in any way. You can still memorialize your loved one in a manner that is personal and meaningful to you.
There are several options for you to consider. The first is to determine what type of funeral service is desired and whether you wish it tobe held before or after the cremation takes place. If you want a service with the body present, then you may also chooseto include a visitation with anopen casket. In fact, many families prefer to have a traditional visitation before cremation.Having the deceased's body present gives a sense of acceptance and closure and provides a way for the family to have a memorable final farewell.
You may prefer to have a funeral or memorial service after cremation -- an option here is to have the cremated remains present in an urn or other special container. What choice do we have for the "ashes?" Many families choose to preserve their loved one's remains in an urn to keep at home and pass down to the next generation. The cremains can be divided among several small urns and given to members of the family. Some people prefer to bury the remains and others elect to spread the ashes in a special place that may be particularly meaningful. You can also use a biodegradable urn that can be placed in water. There may be laws that govern where, how, and when remains can be spread, so this option should be discussed with your funeral director.
In the recent past, other options have become available after cremation. One is to place a small amount of the remains in a piece of "memory" jewelry. A pendant or ring with a small opening is used to hold the ashes and can be worn by a family member.
Again, there are many choices available, and your funeral director can help you learn about the options and assist you in selecting the option or combination of options that will provide the greatest comfort to your family.
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Family owned and operated since 1937, Keohane Funeral & Cremation Service has three locations: 785 Hancock Street, Quincy; 333 Hancock Street, North Quincy; and the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home at 21 Emerald Street, Hingham.
Keohane Funeral & Cremation Service
617-773-3551
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