Erickson Funeral Home

03/17/2026

03/16/2026

Why do we need an obituary notice?

An obituary notice serves to celebrate the life of a loved one. They’re also nice for friends and family of the deceased, as they detail the many memories and stories of a persons life. Publishing an obituary can also help take some of the burden of having to notify many people about funeral details off your plate.
At Erickson Funeral Home, we are here to guide you through this process.

How To Write An Obituary:

A simple checklist for making sure your obituary honors and informs.
When a loved one has passed away, writing an obituary that honors their life can seem overwhelming. Don’t worry - your obituary will honor their life simply by the act of you writing it. You want to celebrate your loved one’s life and offer happy or enjoyable memories. You are helping to ease the pain of others simply by telling a story about your loved one.

We hope that this checklist will take the stress and pressure off of you and allow you to honor your loved one simply. Remember, your funeral arranger is an experienced professional, and he/she is a valuable resource for writing the obituary.
1. Include all the basic details about the person’s life.

You don’t have to include all of this information, but here are the basics that are often included in an obituary. Choose the elements that are most relevant to your loved one:

Age
Any familial survivors
Education
Vocation
When the person retired, if relevant
Any military affiliations
Any volunteer affiliations

2. Include funeral information.

Family and friends often rely on an obituary for information on when and where a person’s life will be celebrated, so your obituary will make it very simple for them to get that information (and will save you the hassle of having to answer lots of questions at a time when you would prefer not to be bothered with small details). You can include:

Date and time of the funeral
Place the funeral is being held
Any viewing details
Requests for donations in lieu of flowers

03/15/2026

Decluttering's never been my favorite, but listening to loved ones has changed the game. When they say "I love that Christmas decoration, it reminds me of Christmas's when I was little," I know it's a sign. Aunt Lavonne Erickson shared this wisdom at an Easter gathering, many years ago and it's stuck with me ever since. Write the names of loved ones on special pieces, and they'll treasure them for years to come. I've started doing this with my keepsakes, and every time my children and grandchildren say "I love this!" I know it's meant for them. They're already requesting their favorites 😊. It's not about getting rid of stuff; it's about sharing love and memories. Now, if only someone would claim my Precious Moments collection 😆... I'm spreading the love until then!"
Mary Jo❤️

03/13/2026

How many death certificates should we order, and why?

A Certified Death Certificate – which can be obtained through a funeral director – is necessary before anything can be done with the assets of a deceased loved one. Families are encouraged to obtain multiple certificates because most agencies require a certified certificate, not a photocopy. If you are filing the will with the Surrogate’s Office, you will need to present a certified death certificate to start the process. To take a name off a joint bank account, banks require a certified certificate. The contents of a safety deposit box in a bank can be sealed after death and a certified death certificate will be required to gain access to the contents. Any financial instrument in the deceased’s name – a car, house, insurance policy, retirement account – will need a certified death certificate. The death certificates are not expensive, so it’s easier to just order as many as you estimate you’ll need. This is one of the many services Erickson Funeral Home provides for our families.

03/12/2026

Funeral and Memorial Services:

All too often, families discount the value of ceremony after the death of a loved one, and we certainly don’t want you to make that mistake. Coming together after a loss is a very essential part of the grieving process.

Create Healing Experiences

In the depth of early grief, you might think that it would be ‘easier’ to just take care of things as simply – and as quickly –as possible. But easier – especially in this circumstance – simply isn’t better. You must set the stage for the future by giving your family and friends the opportunity to start the healing process.

Funeral Services:

Gathering with friends and family gives everyone the opportunity to share memories, express emotions, and find comforting support. Whether you choose burial or cremation; whether you select a formal funeral or a more relaxed memorial service, the need for acknowledgment of the loss with family and friends is ever present. We can help you create a unique meaningful ceremony to express the genuine individuality of your loved one.

We offer families a beautiful setting in which to come together to honor your loved one. But, you may certainly choose to celebrate their life in a more unique setting. No matter where you decide to gather together, such a service will make a difference in the lives of all who attend.

Burial Services:

If burial has been selected, usually any ceremonies we design revolve around the casket being present. You can choose to follow tradition, with a viewing, and then a funeral service in a church or memorial chapel. Or you could decide to have a more relaxed service.

Let’s just say this: there is no ‘hard and fast’ formula for honoring your loved one when burial has been selected. We’re here to listen to your concerns, share our experience, and help you to arrive at the perfect way to gather together before your loved one's interment in the cemetery of your choice.

Cremation Services:

Cremation only refers to the manner in which you or your loved one has chosen to deal with the physical remains. We want you to know that this decision doesn’t limit the ways you can honor your loved one's life. We heartily suggest that you have a funeral or memorial service, because your need for such a healing experience is not lessened by the decision to be cremated. Again, the options are limited only by your imagination. We hope that you will contact us to discuss the wide variety of celebratory options open to you.

Creating a ceremony that calls together the hearts and minds of all who loved them is a gift to everyone involved. A gift of memories, a gift of healing—a truly priceless gift of peace-of-mind.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding a funeral or memorial service.

03/11/2026

Today, National Funeral Directors Day, I’m honored to celebrate the legacy of compassion, care, and community that defines our family business. As a fourth-generation funeral director, I’m reminded of the countless lives touched and the memories cherished through our work. Erickson Funeral Home has been an integral part of Lafayette County since 1919, when my great-grandparents first opened our doors in Argyle. Over the years, we’ve expanded to serve Darlington (1973) and Shullsburg (1986), and in 1999, we partnered with other funeral directors to establish a crematory, ensuring dignified care for those we serve. I’m proud to work alongside talented professionals like Associate Funeral Director Laura Smith and Executive Assistant/Advanced Funeral Planner Janelle Jackson. Here’s to my caring staff at Erickson Funeral Home and all funeral directors – thank you for your dedication and service 🙏. Justin Erickson

03/10/2026

"Never stop praying for people. If God places someone on your mind, pray for them. A prayer can change someone's life. Remember that."

Sometimes a name drifts into your thoughts without warning, a face rises in the quiet of your heart, and you don’t know why. Take that as a gentle nudge from above.

Never stop praying for people, especially when God places them on your mind. Your prayer may be the unseen shelter in their storm, the strength they don’t yet have words for, the light that finds them when the night feels endless.

Prayer travels where we cannot go, reaches where our hands cannot touch, and works in ways our eyes may never witness.
A single prayer, whispered with love, can soften a hardened moment, lift a weary soul, and quietly change the course of a life.
Remember this—no prayer offered in sincerity is ever wasted. 🙏 ✨
Credit: Tips that can change your life

03/09/2026

Light breaks open the darkness above me,
soft, not blinding.
The path ahead feels long,
but not empty.

I don’t rush toward promises,
I simply hold them gently.
Love taught me patience,
and waiting became familiar.

I imagine recognition without words,
a knowing that needs no explanation.
Until then,
I walk with memory beside me.

Missing you fills the quiet spaces,
but it doesn’t erase hope.
It shapes how I love now,
how I stay connected.

I carry you forward,
step by careful step.
Love does not loosen its grip,
even across distance.

— The Love I Lost