Page 23 - Direct Publishing - Bereavement Guide

be faced with making many decisions. Begin lentry daily. Daily patterns will help you devel- family and friends. They arrange and provide set forth in the document. The person signing
slowly. Handle projects in small increments of op your new identity and find a new normality. an orderly series of events, culminating with the contract becomes responsible for the pay-
time. This will help build your confidence and the final disposition of burial, entombment or ment of the funeral services perfomed.
prove that you are making progress. Find ways to remember the life of your loved cremation. The funeral director’s responsibilty What should I be prepared to provide
one daily. You do not have to say goodbye. It is of properly filing the death certificate in order when going to the funeral home to
Put the clothes away when you are ready. Do important to acknowledge the change in your to receive permission for final disposition is the make arrangements?
not let others push you to make decisions you relationship. You do not stop loving someone first step which allows the family to begin the When making at-need or pre-need arangements,
are uncomfortable making. jsut because they have died. You can still main- process of settling estate matters. The director the family will need to provide information
tain a relationship in your heart. They are a part will advise the family as to the number of certi-
As you are getting your finances in order, get of who you are and who you are becoming. fied death certificates needed to begin the required for the death certificate. This informa-
tion, referred to as vital statistics consists of
your other affairs in order too. Change insur- process, as well as advising them on potential the following:
ance beneficiaries. Check your health and other Reach out to others issues to be addressed shortly after the final
insurance policies. Discuss your own funeral Learn to ask for what you need . Your family disposition. A growing number of funeral direc- • Deceased’s legal name
arrangements with your family and funeral and friends want to help, so let them know how. tors are trained as grief counselors and continue • Legal Address
director. Taking care of life’s “paperwork” can Turn to people you can trust for support and for even after the funeral to help along in the • Social security number
help restore a sense of control and give you information. Find people who will listen when bereavement process. • Both parents’ names
peace of mind. you want to talk. Leave the scrapbook or photo • Date of Birth
album out on the coffee table so others can Who can make funeral arrangements?
Be patient with yourself remember and share memories with you. In most cases it is the closest next of kin • Place of Birth
Grieving takes time. It takes far longer than making arrangements. On other occasions, the • Level of Education
anyone expects, particularly you. You really You may want to talk to others who are griev- executor or executrix of a will is responsible. • If served in the military: years of service
don’t ever get over it but you can get through it. ing, consider joining a support group. Most An agent having been appointed by the and a copy of the discharge papers
This loss is a part of your life. Be assured, you groups are listed by subject in the phone direc- deceased will supersede all others and make the DD214.
will not always feel as you do right now. Listen tory or through churches, newspapers, hospi- funeral arrangements. The agent, having been • Employment history, position held,
to yourself and go forward at your own pace. tals, local health and social service agencies, instructed by the deceased, in the form of a nature of industry and place of employ-
Don’t be surprised when grief shows up again. the Chamber of Commerce or your local funeral legal document signed by the deceased and ment
Just when you think you might be doing better, home. You can learn and grow in common, yet witnessed in accordance with Public Health • If in ground burial or entombment, the
you may find yourself crying in the grocery different experiences. You do not have to travel Laws, will fulfill the wishes and will coordi- cemetery and the deed if available
store or when you hear a specific song on the this journey alone. Life can have meaning nate with the funeral director the arrangements • If open casket viewing is anticipated,
radio. Anger and guilt can strike anywhere at again. clothing and a recent picture
any time. Forgive yourself for living when your
loved one did not.
FAQs
Find yourself
Grief has changed your life completely. You What purpose does a funeral serve?
cannot go back to being who you were. You can It provides the family and friends with a caring
learn to live with who you are now. Most and supportive environment in which to share
bereaved people experience a change of thoughts and feelings about the death. The
perspective and discover that their priorities funeral becomes the first important step in the
change. Now is a time to take a personal inven- healing process.
tory and reassess your beliefs and values. You
may find great comfort in your faith community What do funeral directors do?
as you look for meaning. You will discover new They are the pillars that support the survivors
strengths and talents. Trust your heart. during one of their most difficult journeys
through life. They care for the family and safe-
Create new routines and rituals guard and care for the deceased person. They
Develop new routines and patterns as you fulfill the wishes of the family by guiding them
search for the new you. Acknowledge the through and fulfilling the funeral arrangements.
empty chair and move it. Rearrange your furni- The funeral director is trained in embalming
ture and create space just for you. Exercise at a and restorative procedures required by a funer-
specific time each day. Journal and make an al home, for traditional open casket viewing by

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