ARRANGING A FUNERAL

A funeral service is the customary way to recognise death and provide an element of closure on the life of a loved one. Simply put, a funeral service is a recognized ritual that allows us to honour and show respect for the dead and to help those left behind begin the process of grief recovery. It is our opinion that funerals are an essential part of the healing and recovery process.

Funerals can be emotionally difficult, but a good funeral will provide the opportunity to share memories. Not only do funerals celebrate the life of your loved one, it is the coming together of families and friends that makes the difference. This specifically created support network is a source of comfort and strength both during the funeral and immediately afterwards.

Although families are often hesitant to choose a funeral service that means coming together, we often find it is exactly this from which people benefit most. The funeral ceremony helps to publicly acknowledge the reality of the death, and when shared with friends and family it encourages the expression of grief. In our experience this actually helps begin a healthy mourning process. Many families are pleasantly surprised to hear stories from friends and relations about their loved one that they had never heard before. Being surrounded by family and friends and learning how their lives were touched may bring great comfort.

Well delivered funerals bring comfort in a number of ways:

• Acknowledgment and recognition of the passing of a loved one
• A chance to say goodbye
• Provide a strong support network
• Provide memories that are often leaned on during the early steps of the grief recovery process