Frequently Asked Questions: 

How can I make a funeral unique and meaningful?

     There are so many ways to personalize a funeral service that creates a meaningful celebration of the life of your loved one. Think about the things that made your loved one special. What were the hobbies, pastimes, quirks, relationships, and unique qualities of this person you loved and will continue to love?

     Was he in the military or alumni of a university that was near and dear to the heart? Did she have a special talent or love of art or crafting or music or sports?  

Barbara Foulsham Funeral Director

     Barbara Foulsham, Funeral Director at Keohane Funeral & Cremation Service recalled several services from the recent past where she worked with the families involved to find ways to make the funeral even more personal.  "One example was a service where the family really wanted a dove release. A release wasn't possible because it was winter, so we set up the doves in beautiful cages on either side of the casket in a display of candles and flowers," said Barbara.

     "Another time we had a funeral for an avid hunter and outdoorsman that included a specially-made casket spray that featured branches and twigs and ferns. The family brought in his fishing rod, gun, bow and arrow, and many of his personal memorabilia. The family loved spending time reminiscing about all these things," she added. 

     We have had several instances of motorcycle enthusiasts displaying their bikes during visiting hours and then, of course, an entourage of bikers to the cemetery. There was one service where the gas tank of the deceased's Harley Davidson was used as the urn for his cremated remains.

     If your Mom enjoyed painting, we could set up her paintings, gallery style, during visitation hours. If your Dad loved model trains, we will find a special place in the funeral home to set up his track.

     If every spring your Grandfather couldn't wait for spring training to begin, we can place a photo of Fenway Park adorned with a center field rainbow in a place of honor.

     We encourage and direct the use of music (on our state of the art audio system) and can arrange for music of particular importance for you. We will display poetry, pictures, video tributes (created by us and displayed on our plasma screen), personal memory sharing, military honors, and many other activities to help create a healing and meaningful environment.  It is an honor for us to help you celebrate the lives of people you love.

     We believe that a service should reflect and celebrate the person who lived.  It should affirm life, love, and family while bringing friends together in an atmosphere of comfort, support and remembrance. It is through this process that family members and friends will begin the healing process.

    At Keohane Funeral & Cremation Service, we are pleased to help you plan a service that is all that you want it to be.   

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             Are you a caregiver? 

Getting the Support You Need
    It is perfectly normal to feel burdened at times by the responsibilities of taking care of others.  However, if you find yourself consistently feeling angry, depressed, physically exhausted and isolated you may well be heading toward burn-out.  And you owe it to yourself to honor your own needs as you work so hard to help others even before signs of burn-out appear.  It is important for all of us to know that it is okay to express our feelings and even to feel sad or depressed occasionally.  Focus on the things that are really important, and if necessary, let the other things go when you need to.  Remind yourself to take time to rest when you are tired.  And don't be afraid to talk to others about what you are experiencing.  You may be surprised how many people are sharing complex responsibilities today. 

     And it is important to be able to ask for help when you need it.  It is common to try to do it all, but it is important to be realistic about what you can do, and what tasks you can give to others.  Some people find it very helpful to join a caregiver support group.  There are a variety of resources available through organizations like the American Cancer Society, your local Hospice group, The National Family Caregivers Association, the Family Caregiver Alliace, and the National Alliance for Caregiving.

     Keohane Funeral and Cremation Service supports the caregivers in our community, and we are available as a resource for anyone with questions about end of life issues. Whatever you do or need, know that you are a valuable resource for someone who needs you, and that you also deserve to do something nice for yourself each day.

Marion & Dean Litchfield

Spotlight on  

Dean Litchfield

      This year marks a tremendous achievement of Dean Litchfield, who started with Keohane Funeral & Cremation Service in 1961. "This is his 50th year as a licensed funeral director in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We have been privileged to have Dean with us as a team member and friend for all these years," exclaimed John Keohane.

     "Funeral service is a profession that I love - anyone employed in it has to love it! I am very fortunate to work for a progressive firm with high integrity, "Dean said "I started with Connie Keohane and then worked with Ed ... and now with his two sons John and Dennis." Dean is particularly proud of having been a member of the Board of Directors of the Hospice of the South Shore in Braintree for 18 years.

     Now, semi-retired and living in Middleborough, Dean and his wife Marion enjoy two months in Florida every winter. There, they play golf together and enjoy traveling. "I'm no good at golf," says Dean, "but it is fun!"

     Dean still works a a part-time funeral assistant for Keohane Funeral & Cremation Service when he is home from Florida. He also enjoys doing handy-man and maintenance projects to keep himself busy.

     Dean became interested in funeral service as a youth. He originally wanted to enter the medical field but the economic situation at the time didn't allow for that. A friend of his dad's was a funeral director and he learned about funeral service from him. His two-year apprenticeship included work at the Robson Funeral Home in Weymouth and at the Granstom Funeral Home in the Boston area. Years later, Dean buried owner Clement Robson and his wife Harriett when working at Keohane Funeral & Cremation Service.

     Dean and Marion have three children and six grandchildren, of whom they are very proud. Daughter Gail lives in Hull and works with special needs children in the Hingham School System; son Paul is a senior VP for Research and Development for Reebok Shoes and the inventor of "the Pump;" son Brian is a chiropractor in Pasadena CA where he has his own practice. Grandchildren include PJ, a canine police officer; Dennis who works in security and law enforcement in Cohasset; Kellie a sophomore in Quincy College; Christopher, a sophomore at American University in Washington DC; Taylor, a junior in high school and an accomplished ballerina, who hopes to attend Stanford University; and Jennifer who is in 8th grade in Westborough.

     Over the last 50 years, Dean has seen a lot of changes in funeral service. "People get more involved in the funeral service today - it is a lot more personal. Technology also plays a big part in bringing people together. "

     Bringing people together is important to Dean. He explained, "We are the type of family that enjoys each others' company. It is important for us to be together and we plan gatherings that include our extended families each Christmas and for the Fourth of July ... nothing gives us more pleasure."