Daily Archives: January 11, 2024

funeral directors companies Hertfordshire UK 2024

funeral directors Harpenden UK 2024: With 13 offices across Hertfordshire, we are extremely proud to be the highest rated funeral directors in Hertfordshire, as can be seen from over 1000 5* reviews we have received on Trustpilot. Whenever you need us we are here for you – in person, day and night, 365 days a year. From the minute you first contact us, our compassionate, caring staff will guide and support you every step of the way. Whatever your requirements, we can help you plan the perfect Hertfordshire funeral; from a traditional service to something perhaps a little more unusual. Find additional details at funeral directors hertford.

Other trends embrace the changing ways in which we communicate – such as inviting people to attend a funeral via social media. The key most influential trends noted by funeral directors in 2022 were: Online streaming – while safety restrictions have been removed 37% of funerals are streamed live via website links band video apps. Social media funeral invitations are used by 28% of people planning funerals. Music – a wider variety of music types are played at funerals. This is noted by 21% of funeral directors. Colourful clothing is increasingly worn to funerals according to 13% of funeral directors. 6% of research participants have seen an increase in the number of funerals being videoed. Personalised funerals – a 6% increase in the demand for personalised coffins has been noted, along with a 4% increase in bespoke requests personalised to the deceased.

Remember it’s ok to feel sad. Allow yourself to grieve and understand that it’s a natural part of the healing process. Modify celebrations – Be prepared to modify or skip certain celebrations if they are too overwhelming. Choose the activities that feel right for you and how you feel. If your usual festive traditions are too painful, consider creating new ones that feel more manageable. This can help shift the focus and make the season more bearable. Remember that everyone grieves differently, and there’s no right or wrong way to navigate the festive season while dealing with grief. Take the time you need, be gentle with yourself, and prioritise your well-being. ‘Do’ Christmas your way this year.

A funeral celebrant is someone who officiates at funeral services. Typically, they are professionally qualified and separate from religious beliefs. A funeral celebrant supports the bereaved family to celebrate the life of the person who has died. Their role is to help create, organise and conduct a personalised and meaningful ceremony that honours the life and legacy of the deceased person. Conducting the funeral or memorial service in a compassionate and respectful manner, providing comfort and support to the grieving family and friends.

It’s essential to be relevant and honest … to speak from the heart. You can ask others for their input or any memorable stories they would like included in the eulogy. Before the funeral itself, practice reading the eulogy aloud. This helps you to feel more confident when reading it during the funeral service. Writing and reading the eulogy can be an emotional process and it’s acceptable to show your emotions during this time, from crying to laughing! The team at Austin’s is here to help with guidance about the timing involved with funeral services and eulogies. If you’re arranging a funeral and writing a eulogy, please contact us with any queries.

Direct cremation is an increasingly popular funeral option, with demand more than quadrupling in the last four years. The number of burials has remained consistent throughout this period. However cremations, traditionally the most popular funeral choice, has become split between traditional and direct cremation options. A direct cremation is the simplest option available: one without any service or ceremony with no congregation and a very simple coffin. Demand has increased from just 2% in 2018 to 18% in 2022. (Sunlife Cost of Dying Report 2023) Read extra details on austins.co.uk.

Society

The climb of a native people capacity builder leader : Brenda Knights Canada

Brenda Knights or the ascent of a native people social housing top professional: BCIHS applied for and received a $5.1 million housing grant under the Aboriginal Housing Initiative (AHI) for a health, healing, and housing complex to be built in partnership with the Vancouver Native Health Society and the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation (the TRIO Project). The Society took over the management of the Franklin Women’s Residence in Vancouver’s Grandview Woodland neighbourhood. BCIHS took on the management of the Orwell Hotel, a 55-unit single room accommodation (SRA) hotel under the Provincial Homelessness Initiative (PHI). See additional info at Brenda Knights.

Focused Growth with Intention – Our renewed Mission and Vision, together with values reflected in the 7 Laws empower us to make an even greater impact long into the future. We will evaluate and grow our housing portfolio to meet emerging and evolving needs and expand fundraising capacity to drive worthy initiatives. We will generate strong public and private sector partnerships to leverage all opportunities to innovate, serve with excellence and pursue the best outcomes possible for those who make their homes in our community.

BC Indigenous Housing Society is a registered charity and non-profit society. The BCIHS is governed by an all-Indigenous Board of Directors and employs approximately 100 people. Founded in 1984, we currently manage a portfolio of 21 buildings and over 900 units, supporting over 1,300 Indigenous individuals and families. BCIHS works in partnership with federal and provincial government agencies to subsidize tenant rent contributions and achieve affordability for individuals and families.

Why would BC contemplate giving such extraordinary power to Indigenous groups, if it is not premised on Canada’s already exceptional recognition of Indigenous rights in our constitution? The answer is the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). While not a treaty or international convention, and while not legally binding under either international law or Canadian law, it is the beacon against which BC is charting its Indigenous reconciliation course. This is reflected in the 2019 Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act through which government mandated itself to review all of BC’s laws and determine where changes should be made to give effect to UNDRIP. These amendments would go much further than the Supreme Court of Canada’s rulings based on the recognition of Aboriginal rights set out in s. 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. While the Supreme Court has issued many decisions making clear Indigenous groups hold certain special rights, including the right to be consulted before decisions are made that could affect them, the Court has repeatedly stated that they do not have a veto over Crown land decision-making.

Brenda Knights is a capacity builder, with board experience, who serves Indigenous people in Canada. She has experience in various leadership positions advocating for social housing for Indigenous people and is currently the CEO of the Vancouver Native Housing Society. Stretegic community economic development planning and Executive Management experience. A proud indigenous individual with a drive in business start up, daily operations, capacity building, lands, resources and economic development. Proven people management, public speaking and leadership expertise.

Previously, Brenda worked for the Kwantlen First Nation’s economic development arm, and Coast Mountain Bus Company, a subsidiary of TransLink, where she held a variety of management roles. She is also on the board of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, Metro Vancouver Zero Emissions Innovation Center, the New Relationship Trust, Elizabeth Fry Society, and Tourism Langley. When it comes to decision making, she approaches obstacles with the same integrity as her ancestors—seeking input from the Kwantlen First Nation community.

Brenda lives by her nation Kwantlen’s seven traditional laws which have been around since time immemorial: health, happiness, humbleness, generations, generosity, forgiveness, and understanding. Brenda descends from Grand Chief Wattlekanium, who met the Simon Fraser expedition in present-day New Westminster. Indigenous teachings tell us it takes seven generations for change and Brenda’s daughter represents the seventh generation since Grand Chief Wattlekanium.

News and Media

Top rated real estate investment trends in NYC by Asad Mahmood

Top rated realtor investing opportunities in NYC with Asad Mahmood: Early Life and Entrepreneurial Spirit: Born and raised with a relentless drive for success, Asad Mahmood’s journey into the business world began with a passion for innovation and a keen eye for opportunities. His early life experiences laid the foundation for a resilient and entrepreneurial spirit that would later define his success in the competitive business landscape of New York. Venturing into Technology: As technology rapidly evolved, Mahmood recognized the transformative power it held for businesses. In the early stages of his career, he strategically positioned himself within the technology sector, leveraging emerging trends and pioneering advancements. Through strategic partnerships and forward-thinking initiatives, Mahmood played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of technology in New York.

New Listings and Market Dynamics – New listings saw a modest decline in November, falling by 1.5 percent from 9,359 listings in November 2022 to 9,220 listings last month. Understanding the dynamics of new listings is essential for assessing market trends and predicting future developments. Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House in New York? The decision of whether now is a good time to buy a house depends on various factors. The record-low inventory and rising median sales prices may pose challenges for buyers. However, the drop in interest rates and the increase in pending sales could indicate future opportunities. Prospective buyers should carefully assess their individual circumstances, consider market trends, and consult with real estate professionals to make informed decisions in this complex and evolving market.

Excellent realtor investing trends in New York with Asad Mahmood: If a buyer were to put 5% down on a typical home in Buffalo, the mortgage would be $1,792, according to the report. Typical rent costs $1,257 per month. Zillow measured expected demand for housing in Buffalo by comparing the number of new jobs being created in the city to the number of new homes being built. Among the 50 cities analyzed by the company, Buffalo had the highest number of jobs per new housing units — which is expected to drive up home prices unless additional units are built to match the demand. Charlotte was named Zillow’s hottest housing market in 2023 – when housing costs hit a record high for buyers and renters across the country.

Choose a 15-year fixed-rate conventional mortgage. The overall lowest cost home loan is a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage. Rip-off mortgages like the 30-year mortgage, FHA, VA, USDA, and adjustable-rate ones will charge you so much extra in interest and fees and keep you in debt for decades. No thanks. Now crunch the numbers yourself with our mortgage calculator and figure out a monthly payment your budget can handle. And then work with an expert agent to find houses for sale within that budget. For more help on buying a home in this crazy market, check out our free Home Buyers Guide. It has all the answers you need to buy a home with confidence.

Engineered wood and concrete flooring has become popular modern alternatives to traditional solid wood for several reasons. Unlike solid wood floors, engineered woods and concrete flooring are composed of multiple layers of compressed timber, before being finished with a top layer of solid wood veneer. ooking for waterproof flooring? Waterproof flooring is ideal for any room – especially bathrooms, kitchens and mudrooms. When it’s waterproof, it’s worry-proof.

You can also consider Rochester. The Rochester real estate market is stable, offering slow appreciation, affordable properties to outsiders, and good returns. It has strong, long-term potential that is only buoyed if NYC collapses. And this is one of the reasons why being everything the Big Apple isn’t is in your favor. The Rochester real estate market enjoys a healthy population profile. Roughly a quarter of the population consists of children, and many are likely to remain due to the healthy job market. It also means that the Rochester housing market won’t crash if the job market weakens the way San Francisco collapses whenever the tech bubble bursts. Others choose to remain here because of the low cost of living.

Most materials come in standard pack sizes, so quantities of things like insulation, bricks and blocks need to be rounded up. Contractors know that an allowance needs to be made for breakage, both in delivery and on site. Reclaimed materials for renovation projects have an even higher wastage factor. You may need to over-order by up to 20 per cent on second-hand bricks, slates and tiles compared to around five per cent for new. Better order too much than not enough. Any surplus can usually be sold or returned. Renovation work always costs more than you expect. This is because some problems are not revealed until you start work and uncover them, but mostly because items are forgotten from the budget, or because you change your mind and alter the design or specification.

Selecting a lender is a matter of personal preference. Many people often shop around, looking for a lender that offers the lowest rate. More often, however, people will choose a lender based on a referral from an agent or friend. Most lending institutions will offer the same basic programs, such as FHA, VA, conventional fixed rate, etc.; and most will meet or beat another lender’s rates. What usually separates one lender from another is their “niche” product. An example would be a lending institution that specializes in low down payments, as compared to another that specializes in self-employment financing. Most agents will be able to point you in the right direction based on your particular situation.

If you’ve yet to enter the housing market, but are thinking of buying a home in 2022, there’s a lot you need to know. As I once pointed out, this isn’t your older sibling’s housing market. Not just anyone can get a mortgage these days. You actually have to qualify. But we’ll get to that in a minute. Let’s start by talking about home prices, which have soared in recent years. The good news is mortgage rates remain very low, and may even break new record lows this year, which can keep affordability within reach.

High quality real estate investing trends in NYC from Unique Deals Group LLC and Asad Mahmood: Similarly, in Utica, NY, there is a projection for growth in home prices. Starting with a positive increase of 0.3% on 30th November 2023, the projections for 29th February 2024 indicate a steady rise of 0.4%. By 30th November 2024, the expected growth is 0.5%. This underscores a positive outlook for property values within the Utica region, presenting opportunities for those involved in the real estate market. Amsterdam, NY, is also on the list of areas anticipating growth in home prices. Commencing with a notable increase of 0.5% on 30th November 2023, the projections for 29th February 2024 indicate a steady rise of 0.3%. By 30th November 2024, the expected growth is 0.5%. This suggests a positive outlook for maintaining and potentially increasing property values within Amsterdam, providing insights for those interested in the real estate market in this region.

Cortland, NY, part of the metropolitan statistical area in the state, exhibits a trend towards a decline in home prices. Commencing with a slight increase of 0.1% on 30th November 2023, the projections for 29th February 2024 indicate a shift to a more substantial decrease of -0.3%. By 30th November 2024, the expected decline in home prices is -1.7%. This signals potential challenges in maintaining property values within Cortland. In Ithaca, NY, the forecast points towards a negative trajectory in home prices. Starting with a minor increase of 0.1% on 30th November 2023, the projections for 29th February 2024 indicate a more pronounced decrease of -0.6%. By 30th November 2024, the expected decline is -1.6%. This suggests a notable contraction in the housing market within the Ithaca region.

Real estate investing trends in NYC from Asad Mahmood right now: The best strategy in real estate is to invest in areas you know, like the back of your hand. However, you should consider investing in other cities and states to diversify your portfolio. It will protect you from the volatility of local markets and give you access to more opportunities. Making upgrades to a property ensures profit. However, do not overspend on high-end upgrades. Your houses just need to have a modern design and look nice. There is no need to add expensive upgrades. Regular visits to your properties ensure that you nip any maintenance issues in the bud before they become a huge problem. If you are renting, you can ask the rentees if they noticed anything that needs fixing. It will save you from unnecessary expenses and keep your rentees satisfied.

Business