Can we really turn mourning into dancing when we are grief-stricken? Maybe. Thankfully, there are companies like the Teresa Development Corporation Funeral Services in Bacolod City that are willing to help us in this difficult time.
Mourning Into Dancing by Ron Kenoly
Reflections When Loved Ones Pass Away
This year, my cousin, two young people I know, and an alumna of my alma mater, all passed away. My cousin and the youth pastor were only 27 years old. The other friend was 37 and another schoolmate was in her 40s. All of them died for different reasons but all of them were still young.
There were also the elders in church who died at more than 90 years of age. Moreover, there were two who passed the centenarian mark.
Only one thing is sure though. No matter the gender or social status, the inevitable will happen to all of us. We just don’t know when.
I was deeply moved by the death of our young pastor-friend. He was the son of our wedding ninong. After his death, I came to know how he was well loved by so many people. During his internment ceremony, students he ministered to, and kids he preached to or led bible studies to, expressed a desire to be absent from class just to bring his body to its final resting place. In the end, his life was celebrated by the people who loved him most.
During these times, I remember the song, Mourning Into Dancing by Ron Kenoly. It was written based on bible verses, as God’s comfort for people who are sorrowful.
“You have turned my sorrow into joyful dancing. No longer am I sad and wearing sackcloth.”
Psalms 30:11 CEV
But how can we really turn mourning into dancing when our eyes are swollen from crying, our heads feel like bursting, and our hearts feel like a brick is on it?
Afterlife | Avoiding the Topic of Death
Growing up, I observed that people don’t really like talking about death. When the topic is brought up, our house helpers would utter, “Purya palayo,” which means “Heaven forbid.”
Aside from being superstitious, I think that Filipinos consider death as a sad matter to talk about. We avoid the subject because we want to enjoy life at the moment and choose to mourn only when the time comes–not before. “Let’s cross the bridge when we get there,” is often the segue to a different topic.
Losing a loved one can truly be paralyzing. But then, there is a hope that the faithful can hold on to. I am a follower of Christ and one of the things I hold on to strongly is what the Bible has taught about the afterlife.
Knowing About Heaven and Celebrating Life in Style
I am a fan of Randy Alcorn and his book Heaven is one of my favorites. The things that I have read have given me hope and actually excited me about the life to come. That is because, Jesus in His act of love of dying on the cross, has given us access to be with God and live forever there. And that with a promise that He has prepared a place for us to live in the afterlife.
Jesus promised to His disciples, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” And I believe that these words of comfort should change our view on death.
With these powerful words from the bible, I am mulling over the idea that shouldn’t we Christians change the way we hold memorial services? Shouldn’t we stop maintaining a sad and somber atmosphere during the wake? Shouldn’t we celebrate the life of a dead loved one, especially a life that has been lived well?
As I ponder on that, I also realize that it is still a good thing to mourn. As Solomon says, there is a time for that. But since Jesus has promised that He is the way to live a life of enjoying God forever, it is easy for this God to turn our mourning into dancing.
While it is true that those who will be left behind will have to overcome grief when losing a loved one, we are not alone in the struggle because God will turn our mourning into a time of joyous celebration.
And Teresa Development Corporation Funeral Services is spot on in changing people’s perception of death. Celebrating life in style is actually more biblical.
Teresa Development Corporation Funeral Services
A business in funeral services is a delicate matter because Filipinos generally don’t want to discuss death. When Teresa Development Corporation Funeral Services started many years ago, CEO Ramon Lacson was not shy in admitting that his salespeople were constantly being rejected.
But because of his vision to change how people view this inevitability, families now seek his sales agents as they prepare for the future.
For several decades now, TDC Funeral Services has successfully run three memorial and funeral businesses. These are:
- Bacolod Memorial Park in Alijis, Bacolod City
- Rose Lawns Memorial Park in Brgy. Bata, Bacolod City
- Acropolis Gardens in Brgy. Bata, Bacolod City
I have been passing by the Bacolod Memorial Park in Alijis for many years and I couldn’t help but be amazed at how neat, clean, and beautiful the park is. My wife’s aunt who is not from Bacolod passed by there one night and exclaimed that the houses are so cute and lighted, not knowing that we just passed by a cemetery.
Meanwhile, the Acropolis Gardens has some of the most elegant chapels I have ever been to. They have nice, well-lighted interiors complete with luxurious amenities. I have attended a memorial service for a friend’s brother at one of their chapels and it felt good laughing as they reminisced his life. And I think that it is also because of the prevailing atmosphere at the chapel. It is well-lighted and beautifully decorated–nothing somber about it.
Furthermore, the Rose Lawns Memorial Park seems to be transformed into a theme park on November 1. These guys really know how to celebrate life in style and the Bacolodnons appreciate it.
Christ the Redeemer Columbarium Complex Bacolod
Now, the TDC Funeral Services has a new innovation. They are building the Christ the Redeemer Columbarium Complex in Brgy. Bata, Bacolod City. It is just near the Acropolis Gardens and Rose Lawns Memorial Park.
The plan for the columbarium is the most modern, artistically-designed, and luxurious one I have ever seen. From the outside, it looks like a celestial entity–befitting of its name. After all, Bacolod Architect Geoffrey Montelibano designed this with the vision of the Holy Trinity in mind. A Christian himself, he wanted his work to point to the glory of God.
Aside from aesthetics, the columbarium is the largest one in Negros Occidental today. It features 6,000 urn vaults and each one can accommodate up to 6 urns (prizes vary). Additionally, there are 20 family suites for exclusivity and each room has a private toilet and kitchen. The suite can accommodate up to 12 urns.
Environment-Friendly
The columbarium was designed based on green principles of the least carbon footprint. The dome roofs representing the Holy Trinity are made of solid polycarbonate that can let the sun shine through, allowing for less use of electricity during the day.
Moreover, the shapes of the roofs are in such a way that they can efficiently collect rainwater that can be used to water the plants.
Ample Parking Space
The Christ the Redeemer Columbarium is in the same location as the Acropolis Gardens and the Rose Laws Memorial Park in Brgy. Bata. TDC understands that there can be many visitors at any given time so the columbarium complex has its own parking lot. They have allotted a total of 1,595 square meters just for parking alone.
Cremation
Not too many people are very keen on cremation for different reasons. But the Filipino-Chinese families are not so squeamish. They find it more practical and also a more dignified exit from this world.
TDC Funeral Services offers affordable packages for cremation as well as chapels and the space in the columbarium. Despite the luxury that you see in the plans, you would be surprised at how reasonable their prices are compared to other funeral services with even less benefits.
To know more about the different packages at the columbarium as well as their other products and services, contact:
Teresa Development Corporation
Galo Street, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
Tel. No. (034) 434-5555
Official Facebook Page: TDC Funeral Services
Watch:
By the way, for KPOP fans, here’s an instrumental version of Mourning Into Dancing by a Korean band called The Bridge. Awesome playing!
Mourning Into Dancing
Indeed, God with us can turn our mourning into dancing. With the help of Teresa Development Corporation Funeral Services, we can efficiently celebrate the life of our departed loved one in style after a period of mourning.
Coincidentally, I just realized that what I wrote here has a connection to what the name Christ the Redeemer Columbarium Complex stands for. This is serendipitous.
God is indeed good.
Properties Under Teresa Development Corporation Funeral Services
These are the properties owned and managed by Teresa Development Corporation Funeral Services in Bacolod City. Visit their office at Galo Street, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.
| I | BACOLOD MEMORIAL PARK ⯈ Location: Alijis Road, Bacolod City ⯈ Features: 7.5 hectare property | Pioneering in both Visayas and Mindanao | Prime location | Along the highway ⯈ Benefits: Serene and beautiful landscape | Trustworthy in terms of products and services | Accessible to the people | Peaceful |
| II | ROSE LAWNS MEMORIAL PARK ⯈ Location: Brgy. Bata, Bacolod City ⯈ Features: 20 hectare property | Multi-faceted garden | Yearly activities (Halloween, rides, etc.) ⯈ Benefits: Spacious and sanctity of the place | Affordability | Underground and aboveground interment | For lot owners value of investment appreciates annually | Promotes happy atmosphere |
| III | ACROPOLIS GARDENS ⯈ Location: Brgy. Bata, Bacolod City ⯈ Features: Administration building | Crematorium | Viewing rooms | Caskets and urns | Memorial chapel | Multi-purpose hall | A more dignified memorialization ⯈ Benefits: Lobby service with lounge area | Portability of remains | Privacy | Variety of burial options that TDC has to offer | Provides intimate exclusivity | Gardens lend an ambiance of serenity |
| IV | CHRIST THE REDEEMER COLUMBARIUM COMPLEX ⯈ Location: Brgy. Bata, Bacolod City ⯈ Features: Family suite | Cluster of niches | Pool of Providence ⯈ Benefits: First class amenities | Saves space and affordable | Unique concept | Environment-friendly services |
Other Posts About Faith
Meanwhile, here are some more posts about living a life of faith.
Interesting blog post to read.