Page 23 - Vander Plaat Funeral Home

death Make sure you provide a a a a a a signed card so the the family knows who gave the the gift Keep in touch - you may feel that the the family needs their space and time to to grieve but a a a a a a a a simple phone call or note after the the funeral lets the the family know you care With social networking leaving a a a a a a a a a a quick note is is as as simple as as a a a a a a a a a a click of a a a a a a a a a a mouse The months following a a a a a a a a a death is is when grieving friends and family need the most support Don’t:
Bring your your cell phone phone - your your phone phone ringing will will be highly inappropriate and will will cause a a a a a a a a disturbance so turn any ringers or or notifications off Even better leave your your phone at at home or or or in in in your your car a a a a a a funeral is not the time to be texting or or checking your messages Allow your children children to be a a a a a a a distraction - from a a a a a a a a a a very young age children children are are aware of death and and if the the funeral is for someone that was close to to them (grandparent aunt uncle) they should be given the the the option to to attend However if if it is not appropriate for your child to be there and if if you you feel they will cause a a a a a a commotion leave them with a a a a babysitter Be afraid to remember the good times - funerals are obviously a a a a a a time time of grieving and mourning but remembering the the good times helps with the the healing process Sharing a a a a a a a a a a funny and and appropriate story is acceptable and and in in some cases exactly what the deceased would have wanted Overindulge - if food or drink is served do do do not not over do do do it it Have a a a bite to to eat before you you go to to to the the service you you do do do not not want to to be be that guy parked at at the the snack table If alcohol is served limit yourself to one or two do do not become inebriated and risk doing something inappropriate Understanding Grief
The death of of a a a loved one friend or family member often puts us in in touch with our own thoughts and feelings about mortality All of a a a a a a a sudden we realize how quickly life can end It is normal to feel out-of-control and overwhelmed Realize you are grieving The first step towards regaining a a a a a sense of control is is to to understand grief Grief
is is a a a a a a a a a physical social emotional psychological and and spiritual reaction to loss It It is natural normal and and necessary It It may cause a a a a a a a a a a a a a variety of reactions including:
• Feeling tired tired and irritable You may experience insomnia or feel tired tired all the time • Appetite changes You may may or may may not feel hungry • Feelings of anxiousness You may feel worried and and excited at the same time like your your heart is racing and and you you you cannot “catch your your breath” • Feelings of emptiness You may may feel hollow inside It may may be be hard to concentrate or remember things • Feeling out-of-control You may feel helpless angry or frightened All of these feelings are normal Your whole world has changed You You cannot bring the the person back or or change change the the situation It is natural to feel vulnerable Through Through information we gain a a a a a a a a a sense of understanding understanding Through Through understanding understanding we gain a a a sense of control Seek out out information about grief everyone grieves differently Our cultural and religious experiences the the circumstances of the the the death and our our relationship with the the person who died influence our our reactions to grief If someone dies after a a a a a a a a a long illness there may be a a a a a a a a a momentary sense of relief that the the pain is is over If a a a a a a a a a death is is sudden and and unexpected shock and and a a a a a a a a feeling of numbness may occur If a a a a a a young person dies there is a a a a a a sense that Page - - VANDER PLAAT-CAGGIANO FUNERAL HOME VANDER PLAAT-CAGGIANO FUNERAL HOME - - Page 23