Your family's friends in Lorain / Elyria Ohio - Gluvna Shimo Hromada Funeral Home

Welcome to the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel Web Site....Lorain's first funeral home to establish communication via the world-wide web. We truly feel that funerals are more than merely observances of the death of an individual. They are, instead, celebrations of life to which every person is entitled. We embrace the importance, individuality, and richness of each person's existence and we sincerely believe that each family we serve has the right to choose their own style of memorialization.

Our responsibility and intent is to uphold the very highest level of professionalism while providing respectful, dignified, and affordable funeral, cremation, and memorial services in a comfortable and worry-free atmosphere.

On this website you can access the following features:

• Current Obituary Listings
  
• Archived Obituaries
  
• Maps and Directions to our Chapel
  
• Local Links and Resources
  
• Prearrangement Information and more
  

You can even sign an electronic guestbook and print out a memorial card of a friend or family member.
-------------------------------------------------------

Hospice of the Western Reserve is hosting a four week support group for adults who have experienced the death of a friend. It begins Monday, February 6 and continues each Monday through February 27, 2011 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. It will be held at their Lorain County office located at 2173 N. Ridge Road E., Suite H, Lorain, OH 44055 (just west of S.R. 57 on the north side). Preregistration is required. Call Laurie Mason at 440-787-2080 to register.

-------------------------------------------------------

St. Joseph Catholic Church is hosting a "Journeying With Loss" workshop for those that have experienced the death of a loved one. This four-session workshop will be held on Saturday March 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2012 from 1:30 until 3:30 PM in the St. Joseph School Library, 200 St. Joseph Drive, Amherst. Please call Maria Maldonado at 988-2848, extension 205, to register or for more information. There is no fee to attend.

-------------------------------------------------------

One of our preplanning funeral partners, Loyal Christian Benefit Association, has a nice video presentation explaining the value of preplanning your funeral. Please watch at http://www.impactmovie.com/lcba/lcba.php

-------------------------------------------------------

The Compassionate Friends, a national organization, has expanded to include a local chapter. Meetings are the last Wednesday of the month at 7:00 P.M. at the Vermilion Family YMCA, 320 Aldrich Rd., Vermilion.
The mission of The Compassionate Friends is to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive. Linda Appeman of Vermilion is coordinator and can be reached at 440-963-7214. Visit The Compassionate Friends National website at compassionatefriends.org.

-------------------------------------------------------

Social Security Announces "Compassionate Allowances" Program

Compassionate Allowances is an initiative that will allow all Social Security offices to expedite disability claims for applicants whose medical conditions are so severe or serious that they obviously meet disability standards. This decision process is based on a current list of 50 medical conditions that will qualify as an impairment and will allow Social Security to act quickly (in a matter of days rather than months or years) in processing and approval for disability income assistance. These conditions and more information can be found at www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances/.

Additional information on Seniors and aging can be accessed through the Senior Series, a list of pertinent fact sheets located on the Ohio University Extension Office website at http://ohioline.osu.edu/SS-FACT/INDEX.HTML

---------------------------------------------------------

The Department of Veterans Affairs is making available a new medallion to be affixed to an existing privately purchased headstone or marker to signify the deceased's status as a veteran. This benefit is only applicable if the grave is marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker. In these instances, eligible veterans are entitled to either a traditional Government-furnished headstone or marker, or the new medallion, but not both. For more information go to www.cem.va.gov/hm_hm.asp or call the funeral chapel and one of our staff can assist you.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Social Security Improves Website

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently unveiled a redesigned Website that is more welcoming and user-friendly.

New features include:

• SSA created five headings at the top of the homepage representing each of the programs it administers, including “Survivors” and “Supplemental Security Income.”

• Links to tools for “Filing Online for Retirement Benefits,” “Applying for Disability Benefits” and “Requesting a Social Security Card” are highlighted on the home page. These tools will help reduce or eliminate trips to local Social Security offices.

• A brief video greeting, delivered by an SSA employee, will help many people, including those with certain visual disabilities, navigate the redesigned Website.

• People who are already receiving benefits can easily find information, services and schedules of payments.

• Visitors will find an online “Retirement Estimator” that will allow them to get an immediate and personal estimate of their potential Social Security retirement benefits and help them plan for retirement.