Issue link: http://southshoremagazine.uberflip.com/i/205938
is like a wedding. There's music, readings, photographs, flowers, and clothing. And yet most people plan it in three days, unlike a bride, who plans it over a year!" More people are starting to see the value in advance planning, however, and Joe has seen a significant rise in demand for this service. "Particularly," he adds, "by those who might be completely healthy, but want to have all of their affairs in order." Joe sits down with each individual or family to plan what they want in a less "emotionally charged" atmosphere, and future changes to the arrangements are always possible. In addition to the Advance Planning service, Keohane also has a comprehensive website that contains various educational resources, detailed information about their services and a virtual condolence book. The website is the brain-child of Dennis, a self-confessed "techno-nerd," who recognized the need for Keohane to connect with people via the Web. There is a treasure trove of information on the website, from the discussion of etiquette-related questions (for example, "should I bring a child to a funeral?"), to the opportunity to leave online condolences if someone can't be physically present for the service. According to Dennis, the virtual condolence book has proved to be very popular and has also had some surprising benefits. He says, "Families sometimes hear from people they never knew their loved ones knew. Sometimes they hear completely new stories about that person, and they learn different things about them. It's wonderful to see that, to see the opportunities this creates for people to connect over someone." While many things have changed, some things at Keohane always stay the same. About this, John states, "It's still that one time in a person's life when time stands still—phones and TVs are off and it often becomes an opportunity to talk, share family stories, and remember that person." For Ed, this relates to the main thing that he has learned over his long and illustrious career as a funeral director. "You need to leave a legacy to the people that love you and your service can do that for you. You need to have a ceremony, there needs to be a lesson—perhaps to grandchildren—you need that tradition. It's a very human experience and it's a legacy." Finally, for Dennis, being a funeral director has taught him a more temporal lesson. "In our line of work, we confront our own mortality every day. And when you see the photos at the services, they are of birthdays, holidays, families and friends— not work. Because that's what life is all about, family and friends. We're here for a very, very short time. Enjoy every minute. Enjoy every day." For more information on Keohane and what they offer, please visit www.keohane.com. TheSouthShoreMagazine.com 63