Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Homes - DeWitt

03/30/2026

Grief can be very difficult on the body. If you're finding that you're physically responding to grief as well as mentally and emotionally, GriefShare has some great tips on how to cope.

“I started feeling this intense physical pain. My chest was hurting; my abdomen was hurting. I couldn’t eat,” shares Malika, Loss of a Spouse Participant.

Stomachaches, heart palpitations, physical weakness, increasing aches and pains, and much more can occur in grief - because grief greatly stresses your body. As you grieve, caring for your body can help ease some of the physical stress.

Consider these recommended tips:

- Try to get proper nutrition by eating three meals and light snacks throughout the day and avoid overeating.
- Be sure to drink enough water (6-8 glasses). It’s easy to let the whole day slip by without enough hydration, but filling a 48-ounce cup in the morning and drinking it throughout the day can help.
- Try to get enough sleep (8 hours per night). In addition, when you can, lie down 2-3 times a day for 20-30 minutes, even if you don’t sleep.
- Try to take a 10- to 20-minute walk each day, depending on your level of fitness. You might try other types of exercise, such as biking, swimming, or pickleball.
- Set reminders to take prescription medications.
- For new pains or other symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor.

The new “GriefShare Loss of a Spouse: Navigating the Pain of Grief Extended Edition” book is designed to meet you right where you are and with your specific loss in mind. This practical, encouraging guide features grief experts who share their wisdom, testimonials from people who understand what you’re going through, and helpful exercises to take meaningful steps toward healing.

📖 BUY THE BOOK: Buy the book and get access to a free on-demand video featuring stories from people who have experienced the death of their spouse. Yyou’ll learn how they navigated this profound loss, one small step at a time.

🤝ATTEND A SEMINAR: For even more support, join a Loss of a Spouse 2-hour seminar meeting in-person near you or online and find supportive people who can support you on your journey through the unique grief of losing a spouse.

Find out more at: https://heal.gs/4dAjnMn

03/27/2026

With care and reflection, we pause to honor those who have been entrusted to us here at our DeWitt chapel.

Each life holds a unique story, shaped by love, family, and the moments shared along the way. Those stories continue on in the hearts of all who knew them.

Charles Edward Scott
Joyce Ann Jacalone
Maria Murphy Kingsley
Thomas Roger Warren Jr.
Jeffrey Lynn Geisenhaver
Barbara Jean Martinson
Milan Curkovic
Mary Lou Hicks

It is a deep honor to serve these families, offering guidance, compassion, and support as they remember and celebrate their loved ones.

Our thoughts remain with each family as they move through the days ahead.

03/23/2026

In our community, we look out for one another... and that includes planning ahead.

Prepaid cremation is one way to make things easier for your family when they need it most. By making arrangements in advance, you can:

• Remove difficult decisions during an emotional time
• Take care of financial details ahead of time
• Ensure your wishes are clearly understood
• Protect against rising costs
• Provide lasting peace of mind

It’s a simple step that can make a lasting difference.

If you’d like to learn more, we’re always here to help. Contact us today to set up an appointment with our prearrangement counselor, Whitney Yates.

03/20/2026

There is something about spring in Michigan.

The air softens. The days grow longer. Gathering outdoors begins to feel possible again.

For families planning a celebration of life, an outdoor setting can offer comfort and renewal, whether that is along a lakeshore, in a backyard, on a wooded trail, or at a favorite park.

Some families choose to:

• Release paper boats or lanterns with personal messages
• Spend time on the water in honor of someone who loved it
• Take a quiet walk and plant a tree
• Share a picnic filled with memories

However you choose to gather, it should feel personal and meaningful. We are here to help you create something that honors your loved one in every season.

03/20/2026

This week, we are honored to serve the families of Jeffrey Lynn Geisenhaver, Barbara Jean Martinson, Mary Lou Hicks, Lorraine Frances Scarane, Alison Jean Bono, Arden Risch Bancroft, Michael Alan Adair, and David Randolph Stripling.

In a community like DeWitt, these names are more than announcements... they are neighbors, friends, familiar faces, and cherished members of our shared story. Each life remembered here has left a meaningful mark on the people and places around them.

It is our privilege to walk alongside these families, offering care, comfort, and a space to gather, reflect, and honor lives that have meant so much to so many.

We invite you to view this week’s services below and to keep these families in your thoughts.
www.grdewitt.com

03/17/2026

There is something about St. Patrick’s Day that feels hopeful.

Maybe it is the return of green.
Maybe it is the reminder that brighter days follow even the longest winters.

As Michigan slowly begins its transition into spring, we are reminded that renewal happens gently and often quietly.

From all of us at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, we wish you a season filled with peace, grace, and steady hope.

03/11/2026

Today is National Funeral Service Professionals Appreciation Day, a day to recognize the people who dedicate their work to caring for families and communities.

We’d like to recognize members of our Gorsline-Runciman team including Elizabeth Bagley, Hank Borden, Alisha Williams, Megan Wilson, Christopher Pant, Randy Shassberger, Wayne Traxler, Amanda Wallace, Charli Edelmann, Jessica Blacklock, Adrian Houston, and Desiree Willis, along with Care Center professionals Nate Badish, Al Gager, and Courtney Lopez.

Here at the DeWitt Chapel, we are also grateful for our administrator Kathleen (Katie) Hammes, whose work supports families and helps our chapel operate smoothly every other day.

Behind every service is a team of caring professionals, and today we celebrate all who contribute to this meaningful work.

03/04/2026

Grief and joy can exist in the same space.

For some families, a celebration of life feels right when it reflects laughter, stories, music, and shared memories.

That might look like:

• Making a toast with a favorite drink
• Hosting an adoption event in honor of an animal lover
• Gathering friends for matching memorial tattoos
• Dancing together to the songs they loved most

There is no single “right” way to say goodbye. What matters most is honoring the person and the life they lived.

We are honored to help families create gatherings that feel authentic and personal.

02/27/2026

Don't miss this FREE event on March 3rd! It's not too late to get your tickets!
Our Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes - Lansing chapel is hosting the NACG National Conference & Webcast, “Trauma-Responsive Grief Support for Youth & Families Impacted by Homicide Deaths” presented by Samantha Anthony, Sam Middleton, and Katherine Streit from Uplift Center for Grieving Children. Attendees will engage with the webcast and learn with a community of like-minded, grief-focused professionals.

3.0 Continuing Education credits are available when viewed during the livestream! (CEs are not available after the livestream.)

Light refreshments will be provided.

It’s a great chance to learn, connect, and support one another in a warm, welcoming space.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to dive into important topics around trauma and grief with others who care. See you there!
Get your ticket here:

Join us in person for the NACG Trauma-Responsive Grief Support webcast viewing and connect with others!

02/25/2026

Flowers are an uplifting reminder of life's beauty.
Flowers also add to a memorable story. Bouquets can be arranged in teapots, watering cans, cowboy boots, coffee cups and more.

Single stems in clear glass vases set a different tone than elaborate sprays spread around a room. You might also consider alternatives to flowers, such as small saplings or baskets of fruit.

Learn about the symbolism of different funeral flowers as you're deciding. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/memorial-services/planning-a-funeral/funeral-flowers

02/23/2026

Please join us for a complimentary meal and helpful discussion at Flap Jack Restaurant in DeWitt on Wednesday, March 18 at 11:00 a.m.

Most of us plan for important life events like weddings, education, and retirement. Planning ahead for final arrangements can provide peace of mind and ease emotional and financial burdens for those closest to you.

During this relaxed, informative seminar, you will learn:

✔ Four simple steps to ensuring your final arrangements are complete
✔ How to begin conversations about advanced planning with loved ones
✔ How to ensure your wishes are carried out, even if you move
✔ How to protect today’s prices from inflation and future increases

Lunch is on us, and there is absolutely no obligation.

Call (517) 482-1533 to reserve your space
Or register online at www.DignityMemorial.com/RSVP

Event Code: X568KG

Please note: This event is for first-time attendees only and for adults 21 and older.

We look forward to spending time with our DeWitt community.