The Family Plot Blog
Debi Lester Anglican Celebration of Life
An impressive eight-page program was handed to all of the attendees as they entered the celebration of life for Debi Lester. As the Parish Administrator for Christ the King Anglican Church of Albuquerque, Debi had created many programs like this for families who had held funerals there.
Remembering Phillip Jordan
Phillip Jordan traveled all over this country, from Maine to Alaska, Montana to New Mexico, Seattle to Long Island, and up and down the East Coast.
September 11 Memorial Service in 2012
Here in Albuquerque, the 11th anniversary of this solemn day was marked with a gathering featuring the governor and mayor at a new fire station still under construction.
Miguel Caro Buddhist Memorial Service
Miguel Caro was a talented performer, choreographer, dance teacher, and well-loved man known for his hugs and smiles.
National Pet Memorial Day
September 9, 2012 is National Pet Memorial Day, so declared by the PLPA, the Pet Loss Professionals Alliance, a committee of the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association.
Patrick (Paddy Mae) Heckler
Patrick Heckler was also known as Paddy Mae – especially when he donned wig, makeup and costume as a drag queen. He was a hair dresser, a bartender, a leader in Albuquerque’s gay community, and he was a Catholic.
Randy Staggs Memorial Service
In a way, Randy Staggs’ mother Opal paved the way for his memorial service. No one knew he would have a fatal heart attack a month later.
David Frederico Balderrama Graveside Service
As the family gathered for the burial of David Frederico Balderrama, guitarist Vernon Reza played “Amazing Grace” and Spanish songs of faith.
Phil Jaynes Memorial Service
Sometimes you can’t make it to a memorial service in person. Sometimes, the memorial service comes to you.
Freddie Drake Junior Motorcycle Funeral
It was standing room only at the funeral home chapel for Freddie Drake’s motorcycle funeral.
Brian Frieder Unitarian Memorial Service
Brian Frieder and his wife Pat were long-time members of the First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque. His peaceful death in his sleep at the age of 74 came as an unexpected shock.
Charles and Claire Fenolio
Charles "Chuck" Fenolio and his wife Claire "went home to be with their Heavenly Father" within 20 hours of each other on August 29 and 30. They would have celebrated 65 years of marriage on September 10. Today their life celebration was a standing room only event at their church, Glory Christian Fellowship. The first thing I noticed about this large, loving family: the men were wearing white shirts and blue jeans. The women were wearing blue...
Amanda Dillon Life Celebration
Amanda Nicole Dillon died too young at the age of 36.
Bernice Greer Seventh Day Adventist Celebration
Bernice Greer was a real life Church Lady, and I say that with the greatest admiration.
Everyone Dies: Lessons From Six Feet Under
Everyone Dies: Lessons from Six Feet Under By Gail Rubin From 2001 to 2005, the award-winning HBO television series Six Feet Under took viewers behind the scenes at the Fisher & Sons Funeral Home in Los Angeles. Over the course of the series, the program explored themes of death, grief, mourning and transformation. In spite of its emphasis on death, Six Feet Under offers important life lessons. I just spent my summer vacation watching all...
Remembering Annie Jones Hogan
Annie Jones Hogan spent the last ten years of her life at a senior living center, and that’s where her grown children held a gracious memorial service in her honor.
Ralph Perea: A Victory Celebration
A victory celebration for Ralph Perea coming into the radiant presence of his heavenly Father filled the funeral home chapel with family and friends gathered to remember and pray for a man who died too young.
Kimberly Marie Sauter Funeral
Purple was the color scheme for Kimberly Marie Sauter’s funeral.
Celebrating Ernest Garcia: Artist, Teacher, Activist
The memorial celebration for Ernest Garcia took place at the Albuquerque Museum of Art – a place he loved to visit every week.
Celebrating Ellie Sanchez
When Ellie Sanchez’s intriguing obituary drew me to her memorial service, I didn’t know she had been a neighbor who lived two blocks down the street from me.
Elements of a Jewish Graveside Service
Jewish traditions at a graveside funeral services include specific prayers, ribbon tearing, and placing earth on the casket in the grave.