Our lives are full of special moments and wonderful memories. When a loved one dies, sharing those moments and memories through a tribute that beautifully memorializes a life lived provides the opportunity to reflect and remember.
Honoring a loved one’s life after death recognizes the impact he or she had on the lives of others through family, work and community involvement. Through gathering to share stories and memories that helped define who our loved one was, we learn about the ways in which he or she shaped the lives of others and ensure they live on.
A Social Support System
For surviving family and friends, honoring a life also creates a bridge between the loved one’s death and the beginning of the grieving process. A funeral or memorial service provides a social support system for grieving family and friends, eases the transition to a new life after a loved one’s death, and reaffirms one’s relationship with the person who died. It also provides a time to say good-bye, surrounded by the comfort of others who are also grieving.
The average person makes funeral arrangements for a loved one only once or twice in their lifetime, so it’s natural to feel overwhelmed or perhaps have a fear of the unknown. The main role of a funeral director is to make this difficult time as easy as possible – from helping to create a meaningful funeral that beautifully reflects the life of your loved one to assisting with paperwork and beginning your journey through the grief process.
Planning the Perfect Service
NFDA-member funeral homes operate under the highest principles in funeral service and are committed to serving families in their community. You can be confident your local NFDA-member funeral home will serve your family with the utmost care, dignity and respect, and help plan a service that captures the essence of your loved one’s life.
Learn about honoring a life, planning a service and grief resources, or find an NFDA-member funeral home at RememberingALife.com.
Lindsay Bonsignore, Ph. D., Four Seasons Compassion for Life, [email protected]