For many people, conversations about the end of life feel distant, uncomfortable, or easy to postpone.
There always seems to be more time — more trips to take, more milestones to reach, more moments are still waiting to unfold.
That’s what Shirley believed, too.
She and her husband had built a life full of love, laughter and shared adventures. They raised their children together, traveled whenever they could, and cherished celebrating holidays and family events. Like many couples, they never spoke about what would happen “someday.”
Loss felt far away. Time felt endless. Until it wasn’t.
When her husband passed unexpectedly, Shirley found herself facing dozens of decisions she had never imagined making alone. In the midst of her grief, she wanted one thing above all else: for his farewell to reflect who he truly was — not to be defined by his death, but by the life he lived.
When the unexpected time came, she knew she would find comfort and clarity with the professionals at Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary.
Hillside is known as a Jewish and interfaith cemetery, deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and values. Its mortuary proudly serves families of all faiths, beliefs, and backgrounds.
From the moment Shirley arrived, she felt welcomed, heard and supported. She met with one of Hillside’s Family Service Counselors, who didn’t rush her or overwhelm her with logistics. Instead, they listened.
Shirley shared stories about her husband’s devotion to their children, his curiosity about the world and his love of travel. She laughed through tears as she recalled his sense of humor and the way he always made strangers feel like friends.
Through these conversations, a service began to take shape. Not as a checklist of tasks, but as a heartfelt tribute. Family and friends gathered to celebrate a life well lived, offering stories, comfort and connection. In that shared space, Shirley felt assured, surrounded by love and reminded she was not alone.
In the quiet moments that followed, Shirley realized something she hadn’t expected: how much easier this journey could have been if the plans had already been made.
With so many decisions required in such a short time, she saw the value of planning ahead — not for herself, but for her children. She didn’t want them to face the same uncertainty, stress and emotional weight she had carried.
So, Shirley made a choice. She met with Hillside again. This time to thoughtfully plan her own final arrangements. With time, clarity and guidance, she was able to express and document what mattered to her: her values, her wishes, and how she wanted her life to be remembered.
Now, she carries a sense of peace knowing her children will one day be spared difficult decisions, free to focus on love and remembrance instead.
Today, Shirley has returned to her routine. She goes to her weekly bridge class, meets friends for coffee and continues to honor her husband’s memory in quiet, meaningful ways. When she thinks about the future, she feels calm and secure, comforted by the thought that one day, she will rest beside the man she loved so deeply.
Planning ahead, she learned, isn’t about preparing for loss. It’s about protecting the people you love.
At Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary, advance planning is viewed as an act of compassion — a way to honor your life, your values and the family you leave behind.
Whether rooted in Jewish tradition or guided by other faiths and beliefs, every family is supported with dignity, care and respect.
“When we plan ahead, we spare our loved ones from making difficult decisions in moments of deep emotion,” says Rafael Ochoa, Hillside’s General Manager. “It’s a simple gift: clarity instead of chaos, peace instead of pressure, and space for healing when it matters most.”
With thoughtful guidance, families can make meaningful choices about services, traditions and personal touches that reflect a life’s story. These conversations, held in calm moments rather than times of crisis, allow wishes to be honored with intention and love.
For Shirley — and for many others — planning ahead becomes a final gift of love.
