Tributes
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
A Race Well Run

Tom Kunst was known to all as a friend, but to a treasured few; beloved husband, father and Papa. Tom died tragically while doing something he loved, training on his bicycle. Over the years, Tom became an avid competitor. Competition soon became a family affair, often including his wife and sons. Tom loved being with his family, pushing himself physically and being out in God’s creation.

Lately we find ourselves in spaces that feel upended and abnormal. Nothing feels routine or familiar. We have adapted, adjusted and let go of things that seem an impossibility. But where does that leave grief? Where does that leave this family who tragically loses its patriarch?

A Race Well Run
Community
lee karelse
Essentials of Grief during the Corona Virus ...

In the last weeks we have listened to families express “its not our fault that mom died during a national crisis”.   They want to gather for support with their family and friends.  They want to have an event that marks the significance of a life.  They want to be able to share their grief with others…. But social distancing changes our traditions. We face this frustration with families as we try to balance the basic needs for mourning and the present reality of social distancing. We can work with you to find options that meet your immediate needs with the limits of our current situation.

Essentials of Grief during the Corona Virus Pandemic
Community
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Honoring Our Heroes

Sure, we love a good BBQ and picnic to kick off the summer as much as anyone else, but in our work we’ve been deeply affected by the stories of the veterans in our community. We’re proud and humbled to host this annual Community Memorial Picnic in their collective honor, and we love seeing generations come together to share stories and recognize those among us who served our country so faithfully.

Honoring Our Heroes
Journey
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
5 Ways to Making Remembering Part of Your ...

Every year we'll purchase an ornament for our grief tree for people that we lost who are important to us. As we add new ornaments to our grief tree, we'll have a tangible way to see how many years we'll live through this grief.  Grief is part of who we are and what we own now, and that grief tree is a symbolic of who we are now.  

This, and 4 other ways to include remembering loved ones as part of your Christmas traditions.  

5 Ways to Making Remembering Part of Your Christmas Tradition (Part 2 of 2)
Tributes
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
10,000 Breakfasts

“We were here at Grand Coney since 2004, the first week they opened.  We’ve been here a long time. When they opened it was something new so we decided to try it, and we’ve been here pretty much ever since,” recounts Dale.  They spent the last of their 10,000 breakfasts tradition together here.  

10,000 Breakfasts

First Christmas In Heaven

First Christmas in Heaven

A Memorial Service for our Community

Monday, December 9, 2024 at 7 PM

Berean Church

1574 Coit Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505

As we anticipate the upcoming holidays, we remember those in our community that face the holiday season for the first time without their loved one.

Join us as we take an opportunity to remember the loved ones we have lost during this past year and celebrate the hope we have in Christ. There will be a simple, meaningful service and dessert reception to follow. If you would like your loved one remembered as part of our service, register by December 3, 2024 by calling 616.361.2613 or by filling out the RSVP form below. Those registering and submitting a photo will receive a free memorial Christmas ornament.


TAPS ~ The meaning of the 24 note Final Salute Bugle Call

When rendering Military Funeral Honors families will hear the Final Salute Bugle Call called TAPS.

While the simple bugle call is a few bars long, TAPS is among one the most recognized melodies in the world.

"Taps" is a bugle call – a signal, not a song. As such, there is no associated lyric. Many bugle calls had words associated with them as a mnemonic device but these are not lyrics. A Horace Lorenzo Trim wrote a set of words intended to accompany the music:

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Fading light, dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.

Thanks and praise, for our days,
'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, neath the sky;
As we go, this we know, God is nigh.

Sun has set, shadows come,
Time has fled, Scouts must go to their beds
Always true to the promise that they made.

While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.

Source:

24 notes that Tap deep emotion

A Race Well Run

A Race Well Run

Tom Kunst was known to all as a friend, but to a treasured few; beloved husband, father and Papa. Tom died tragically while doing something he loved, training on his bicycle. Over the years, Tom became an avid competitor. Competition soon became a family affair, often including his wife and sons. Tom loved being with his family, pushing himself physically and being out in God’s creation.

Lately we find ourselves in spaces that feel upended and abnormal. Nothing feels routine or familiar. We have adapted, adjusted and let go of things that seem an impossibility. But where does that leave grief? Where does that leave this family who tragically loses its patriarch?

Essentials of Grief during the Corona Virus Pandemic

Essentials of Grief during the Corona Virus Pandemic

In the last weeks we have listened to families express “its not our fault that mom died during a national crisis”.   They want to gather for support with their family and friends.  They want to have an event that marks the significance of a life.  They want to be able to share their grief with others…. But social distancing changes our traditions. We face this frustration with families as we try to balance the basic needs for mourning and the present reality of social distancing. We can work with you to find options that meet your immediate needs with the limits of our current situation.

,

The Gift of a Fingerprint

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The Gift of a Fingerprint

“We wanted to change a day of mourning into a day of good joy and memories,” Kathleen said. 

After planning their father’s funeral at Heritage, one of the sisters noticed a Thumbies brochure she had received. Thumbies are personalized charms created from actual fingerprints, handprints or footprints. Combining modern scanning technology with the ancient art of lost wax casting, Thumbies fashions the prints into artistic and intricately detailed sterling silver or gold jewelry. 

Canadian Club and Champagne Toasts

Canadian Club and Champagne Toasts

It was only fitting that Dar’s visitation on Tuesday night reflected who she was and what she loved—an evening full of family, friends, laughter, food and of course, her favorite drink, Canadian Club. With an open bar serving wine, beer (and yes, Canadian Club!) and soft drinks, along with a spread of artisan cheese, the gathering at the Alt & Shawmut Chapel felt more like a night out with friends than a funeral visitation.

Drumroll, Please!

Drumroll, Please!

“Do we need a drumroll?” Life Story Funeral Director Matt Hollebeek asked the fifth graders at All Saints Academy on Tuesday morning.

“Yessssss!” they shouted and immediately began pounding on their desks in anticipation of the big announcement—this year’s winner of the 8th Annual Heritage Life Story Writing Contest.

“Here we go,” Matt shouted. “The winner of the big check is…AUSTIN PHILLIPS!!”

And The Winner Is...

And The Winner Is...

“Yay!” “Go, Kyler!” “Nice work!” And other cheers erupted around the room as Kyler Berghuis made his way to the front to claim his oversized check (a highlight for all the kids!). The prize? A $500 scholarship toward Kyler’s tuition.

Kyler interviewed Dr. Joseph Taylor for the contest. Dr. Taylor worked as a pediatrician at ABC Pediatrics for 44 years and now lives next door to Kyler.