Community Connections
Goundrey & Dewhirst Funeral Home                       Winter 2013 

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In This Issue
Goundrey & Dewhirst Seeking Donations for Charity Auction
Greater Salem Caregivers at Work in the Community
FAQ: "Can I still have a service if I choose to be cremated?"






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Welcome to Community Connections!

 

   The Dewhirst family has been serving the families of the Merrimack Valley and surrounding communities for more than 60 years. We have a long tradition of meeting the emotional, spiritual, and financial needs of the families we serve.   

 

   Our community has grown over the years and it is not as easy to stay connected with those whose opinions, information, and counsel we rely on. The Goundrey & Dewhirst Community Connection is our quarterly newsletter that we trust will keep us connected and will provide us with opportunities to share information and valuable resources.

 

   This newsletter is our way of keeping in touch with caregivers who, like us, are proud to serve the people of this area in ways that mean so much to enhance the quality of life for individuals and the community itself.

Here you'll find information about community activities like the fundraiser for Greater Salem Caregivers, the Boys and Girls Club Charity Auction, and helpful advice for our readers. Please forward the

Goundrey & Dewhirst Community Connection
to anyone who you think might benefit from its content and encourage your colleagues to join our mailing list to receive their own copy by email every three months.     

 

   If you have a question or a topic you would like to see covered in our newsletter, please let us know. We value your feedback.  

 

Sincerely,

       Rick Dewhirst

 

 

Charity Auction

Goundrey & Dewhirst Seeking 
Donations for Charity Auction
 

     As a member of the Board of Directors, Rick Dewhirst is proud to serve on the Charity Auction Committee, the most important fundraising event of the year. Hosted each Spring, the Boys and Girls Club Charity Auction raises funds to finance the programs that serve more than 350 children daily. In addition, the money raised helps the Club to offer affordable memberships to more than 2,000 youth every year.

 

     This year the Charity Auction will be held on March 23rd at the Boys and Girls Club at 3 Geremonty Drive in Salem.  The event includes both a Silent Auction at 5 pm, followed by a Live Auction (8:00 pm) as well as a dinner, catered by The Tuscan Kitchen.  

 

     Celebrity auctioneer is Mike Morin of WZID will get the fun started with auction prizes that include VIP Experiences, Disney passes, Monster seats for Red Sox games, vacations, exclusive dining packages, and fabulous sports memorabilia!  

 

     Denise Dolloff, Director of Development for the Boys & Girls Club, says "This year we also have a special raffle for a fabulous trip for two to Italy!  We will have 30 auction items and about 300 silent items. We are still collecting new items - we are always looking for unique donations and those things that individuals might not necessary purchase for themselves."

 

     The cost per ticket is $75 or a table for 10 can be reserved for $750. For more information and to order tickets, call Doris Dolloff at 603-898-77098, ext. 16 or visit the Boys and Girls Club Charity Auction website.


      If you have an item to donate, please call Rick Dewhirst at 603-898-2181.


Greater Salem Caregivers
Greater Salem Caregivers at 
Work in the Community
 

     Greater Salem Caregivers volunteers

help homebound adults and elders in Salem and surrounding communities maintain independence by providing services such as transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping and friendly visiting.

 

     According to Richard O'Shaughnessy, Executive Director, "Volunteers enable the Greater Salem Caregivers to provide necessary gap services to our clients including transportation, errands, grocery shopping, minor home repairs, and weekly or bi-weekly visits."   In addition, Greater Salem Caregivers offers educational and support groups for family members.

 

     Now located at 33 Geremonty Drive in Salem (the former Salem Town Hall), Greater Salem Caregivers said goodbye to their former Foss School location in January.  The organization receives funds from local congregations, area businesses, and individual donors, grants, local municipal funding and a wide variety of civic organizations. Fundraising events play a vital role in meeting their annual budget needs.  

 

     Weathervane On February 19th, the Weathervane Restaurant on South Broadway is sponsoring a promotion to benefit Greater Salem Caregivers. All you have to do is go there for a meal that day and mention the Caregivers. A percentage of your bill will be donated to the Greater Salem Caregivers. Thank you to the Weathervane Restaurant for this "tasty" way to fundraise!

 

     Volunteers are needed to help provide services to the elder members of the community. If you would like to volunteer or learn more about the opportunities to help, call Greater Salem Caregivers at 603-898-2850 or visit their website at www.salemcaregivers.org.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions 

"Can I still have a service if I choose to be cremated?"


     People often have a preconception that they have fewer options for ceremony when selecting cremation for themselves or a loved one. One of the important things to remember is that choosing cremation does not limit your ceremonial choices in any way. A meaningful cremation service that reflects the life of the deceased can include:

  • A visitation prior to the service or following a service
  • An open or closed casket
  • Special music
  • A ceremony at the funeral home chapel, your place of worship or other special location
  • Participation by family and friends

     You have a choice of having a visitation with or without an open casket prior to the service, or you can choose to have a visitation following the cremation. You may desire to have this visitation with or without the cremated remains present.   You may opt to have a service with a casket present followed by cremation or you may choose to have cremation first followed by a service with or without the cremated remains present. Your options are numerous.  

 

     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 cremated remains 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.

 

     If you or a family member is considering cremation, you should be sure to write down you desires in detail. Your funeral director will be able to guide you through your options and ensure that you are aware of the many choices available to you.

 

     If you have additional questions or would like to discuss cremation options, Richard Dewhirst at Goundrey & Dewhirst will be pleased to meet with you.  Call 603-898-2181.   

 

 

About Us  

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The Goundrey & Dewhirst Funeral Home and Cremation service in Salem, NH, along with its four locations in MA, offer over 100 years of combined experience in meeting your family's emotional, spiritual and financial needs.  We are available to answer your questions and welcome your call.  603-898-2181