The Value of a Funeral/Memorial Service

The families you serve look to you for guidance on not only how they can support their loved one who is nearing the end of life, but also how they might honor their life in meaningful ways. A funeral, memorial service or celebration of life can provide a foundation for supporting grievers as they embark on what may be a very difficult grief journey. When we gather to mourn, we open up opportunities for memory sharing and storytelling. We also benefit from being able to gather and mourn together; a funeral offers the opportunity to openly share our grief with others.

The ritual of attending a funeral service delivers many benefits including:

. Providing a social support system for the grieving family and friends.
. Helping those grieving to understand death is final and that death is part of life.
. Integrating the grieving family back into the community.
. Easing the transition to a new life after the death of a loved one.
. Providing a safe haven for embracing and expressing emotions.
. Reaffirming one’s relationship with the person who died.
. Providing a time to honor the person’s life and to say good-bye.

On the Remembering A Life Podcast:
Funerals 101: Why Funerals Still Matter in Today’s World