Talk of a Lifetime
Talk of A Lifetime
Have the Talk
The Funeral and Memorial Information Council (FAMIC) created Have the Talk of a Lifetime to help families have important conversations about the things that matter most to them and how a person’s life story can be remembered and honored in a meaningful way. Memorialization is so much more than it used to be. Today it can reflect a person’s life story, values, interests and experiences. Meaningful memorialization can be transformative, healing and comforting. Have the Talk of a Lifetime offers families practical advice and tools to help them have conversations about the things that matter most and how they hope to be remembered when they die and for generations to come.
Why is having the Talk important?
Deep down, most of us want to know that we, in some way, made a difference in this world. Having the Talk of a Lifetime can make the difference of a lifetime. It can help reacquaint us with our loved ones and help us get to know them in a new and different way. Sitting down with your loved ones to talk about their lives can be rich and satisfying. Learning about memorable events and people, places and favorite activities, values and lessons they have learned can help bring us closer to those we care about most. The talk helps us reaffirm to our loved ones how much they have impacted our life.
Who should Have the Talk?
You can have the talk of a lifetime with anyone you hold dear – your parents, children, grandparents, aunts and uncles, a spouse or a friend. It can happen anywhere you and your loved one are most comfortable – over a meal, at home, on a walk, at a family gathering or while playing a game. Your conversation can take place at any time, not just at the end of your life.
How do I start the Talk?
Sometimes, using a visual prompt, such as a photo album, souvenir, or memento, can be a great way to start a conversation. Memorable places, such as the church where your loved one was married or a favorite park can also help someone begin to open up and share their story.
You could share a memory about a vacation you took together and will always remember, a piece of advice that you cherish, a song that reminds you of them or the reasons you will never forget them. You may wish to take notes during or after your conversation, or make an audio recording. You should choose whatever method seems most appropriate and comfortable given the setting of your conversation.
Some questions you could ask to start the talk are:
- What is your proudest achievement?
- What was the one piece of advice you received from your parents or grandparents that you never forgot?
- Tell me about the most memorable summer you had growing up.
- Tell me about your favorite teacher; what did you learn from him or her?
- If you could spend a day doing anything you like, what would it be?
- Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Contact Us
Charles A. (Chuck) Hancock is a lifelong resident of Fort Meade. Chuck is the Funeral Director in Charge of Hancock Funeral Home and has served the Fort Meade community in funeral service for nearly 25 years. He began his funeral service career with our predecessor, Dan L. Moody, in 1986 at the young age of 16. Chuck is a 1988 graduate of Fort Meade High School, attended Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL, and a graduate of American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York, NY. Chuck is a known and accomplished pianist and also serves the community as the pianist and music director of the First United Methodist Church of Fort Meade. Chuck also serves on the City of Fort Meade Evergreen Cemetery Advisory Council and is a member of the Fort Meade Historical Society.
Charles A. (Chuck) Hancock is a lifelong resident of Fort Meade. Chuck is the Funeral Director in Charge of Hancock Funeral Home and has served the Fort Meade community in funeral service for nearly 25 years. He began his funeral service career with our predecessor, Dan L. Moody, in 1986 at the young age of 16. Chuck is a 1988 graduate of Fort Meade High School, attended Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL, and a graduate of American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York, NY. Chuck is a known and accomplished pianist and also serves the community as the pianist and music director of the First United Methodist Church of Fort Meade. Chuck also serves on the City of Fort Meade Evergreen Cemetery Advisory Council and is a member of the Fort Meade Historical Society.
W. Allen Hancock is a lifelong resident of Fort Meade, and a 1960 graduate of Fort Meade High School. Allen began his funeral service career in 1958 at Bevis Funeral Home in Fort Meade and worked with the Bevis Funeral Home and Seidel Funeral Home. He continued working part time with Dan L. Moody at Moody Funeral Home while continuing his career with Publix Supermarkets, and retiring from Publix in 1993, as Equipment Coordinator and purchaser for Florida and Georgia. He is a U.S. Army veteran, and has a commitment to the city of Fort Meade, as he has served as Commander of Fort Meade American Legion Post 23 for over 20 years; serves on the Fort Meade Chamber of Commerce; serves on the board of the Fort Meade Historical Society, and also the senior board member of Christ Episcopal Church in Fort Meade. Allen has had a lifetime full of funeral service experience and enjoys serving the community of Fort Meade when the services of Hancock Funeral Home are needed.
W. Allen Hancock is a lifelong resident of Fort Meade, and a 1960 graduate of Fort Meade High School. Allen began his funeral service career in 1958 at Bevis Funeral Home in Fort Meade and worked with the Bevis Funeral Home and Seidel Funeral Home. He continued working part time with Dan L. Moody at Moody Funeral Home while continuing his career with Publix Supermarkets, and retiring from Publix in 1993, as Equipment Coordinator and purchaser for Florida and Georgia. He is a U.S. Army veteran, and has a commitment to the city of Fort Meade, as he has served as Commander of Fort Meade American Legion Post 23 for over 20 years; serves on the Fort Meade Chamber of Commerce; serves on the board of the Fort Meade Historical Society, and also the senior board member of Christ Episcopal Church in Fort Meade. Allen has had a lifetime full of funeral service experience and enjoys serving the community of Fort Meade when the services of Hancock Funeral Home are needed.
Russell Hancock, a lifelong Fort Meade resident, is the youngest son of Allen and Margie Hancock. Russell graduated from Fort Meade High School in 1994, and he is also a graduate of Florida Southern College in Lakeland with a bachelor's Degree in Marketing and Communications. He is a member of Christ Episcopal Church, where he is very active. Russell provides a vast knowledge of computers and media knowledge for our firm.
Russell Hancock, a lifelong Fort Meade resident, is the youngest son of Allen and Margie Hancock. Russell graduated from Fort Meade High School in 1994, and he is also a graduate of Florida Southern College in Lakeland with a bachelor's Degree in Marketing and Communications. He is a member of Christ Episcopal Church, where he is very active. Russell provides a vast knowledge of computers and media knowledge for our firm.
Ed Flood is a lifelong Polk County resident. Being the great-grandson of Luke B. and Alicia Flood, pioneer residents of Fort Meade, he knows the people of our city. Ed and his wife, Carolyn (Waters) Flood, are members of the First Baptist Church of Fort Meade, and they have two children, Eddie and Michael, and several grandchildren. Ed is also retired from the accounting department of the Polk County School Board.
Ed Flood is a lifelong Polk County resident. Being the great-grandson of Luke B. and Alicia Flood, pioneer residents of Fort Meade, he knows the people of our city. Ed and his wife, Carolyn (Waters) Flood, are members of the First Baptist Church of Fort Meade, and they have two children, Eddie and Michael, and several grandchildren. Ed is also retired from the accounting department of the Polk County School Board.
Michael S. Woods is a 1976 graduate of Fort Meade High School. After high school, Mike spent 22 years serving in the United States Air Force with the Office of Special Investigations. Retiring in 1999, he then served 12 years with the Fort Meade Police Department and the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Mike is currently an active Deacon and member of the First Baptist Church of Fort Meade, and an adjunct professor at South Florida State College. He has a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and a Master's degree in Communication. Mike is married to Cynthia Lamb Woods and has two adult children, Dustin who lives in Lake Placid, FL, and Derek who lives in Pensacola, FL.
Michael S. Woods is a 1976 graduate of Fort Meade High School. After high school, Mike spent 22 years serving in the United States Air Force with the Office of Special Investigations. Retiring in 1999, he then served 12 years with the Fort Meade Police Department and the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Mike is currently an active Deacon and member of the First Baptist Church of Fort Meade, and an adjunct professor at South Florida State College. He has a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and a Master's degree in Communication. Mike is married to Cynthia Lamb Woods and has two adult children, Dustin who lives in Lake Placid, FL, and Derek who lives in Pensacola, FL.
Dan L. Moody and Ruby Gillispie Moody, founders of Moody Funeral Home, spent nearly a lifetime establishing the funeral home that we are now, which opened on Jan. 7, 1965 as Moody Funeral Home. Moody Funeral Home remained until Sept. 29, 2006, when the name changed to Hancock Funeral Home. Dan passed away in July of 2008, and Ruby remains very active in local church and community activities. Dan L. Moody and Ruby G. Moody are well known and remembered for their caring funeral service to the City of Fort Meade and surrounding cities for over 30 years.
Dan L. Moody and Ruby Gillispie Moody, founders of Moody Funeral Home, spent nearly a lifetime establishing the funeral home that we are now, which opened on Jan. 7, 1965 as Moody Funeral Home. Moody Funeral Home remained until Sept. 29, 2006, when the name changed to Hancock Funeral Home. Dan passed away in July of 2008, and Ruby remains very active in local church and community activities. Dan L. Moody and Ruby G. Moody are well known and remembered for their caring funeral service to the City of Fort Meade and surrounding cities for over 30 years.
As a member of our staff for many years, and also our adopted family member, Harold Lamb passed away January 12, 2016 at the age of 87. Harold was a long standing Polk County, FL funeral director, and currently, was the most senior, active funeral director of Polk County, FL. Harold was a U.S. Navy Veteran, serving on the USS Kidd, and was aboard its attack in the Battle of Okinawa during WWII, of which he received a purple heart at the age of 16 for his injuries. He was a lifelong resident of Lakeland, and enjoyed serving the city of Fort Meade and families that are served through Hancock Funeral Home, and the city of Lakeland where he also worked for many years at Gentry-Morrison Funeral Homes and Dukes-Steen Funeral Home. Harold's funeral services were held January 15, 2016 and he is interred in Oak Hill Burial Park, Lakeland, FL.
As a member of our staff for many years, and also our adopted family member, Harold Lamb passed away January 12, 2016 at the age of 87. Harold was a long standing Polk County, FL funeral director, and currently, was the most senior, active funeral director of Polk County, FL. Harold was a U.S. Navy Veteran, serving on the USS Kidd, and was aboard its attack in the Battle of Okinawa during WWII, of which he received a purple heart at the age of 16 for his injuries. He was a lifelong resident of Lakeland, and enjoyed serving the city of Fort Meade and families that are served through Hancock Funeral Home, and the city of Lakeland where he also worked for many years at Gentry-Morrison Funeral Homes and Dukes-Steen Funeral Home. Harold's funeral services were held January 15, 2016 and he is interred in Oak Hill Burial Park, Lakeland, FL.
