FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com MARCH 3, 2016 • coping with death • The Courier sun 37 coping with death s When the Funeral Is Over: The importance of aftercare The funeral is over, the flowers are now beginning to wilt, and the sympathy cards and calls of support begin to ebb. We may even return to daily routines of work or school. Yet, the grief continues. In fact, grief researchers often point out that this is one of the more difficult times – the intensity of grief actually increases weeks after the death as the shock of the loss recedes, support wanes, and the very business that surrounds the death ends. Yet, we often face these days alone. This is the reason why aftercare is so critical. In the past two decades, compassionate funeral directors have begun to ask what can we do for our families after the funeral is over? How can we support them – not only at the time of the funeral but throughout the intense experience of grief? The answers have varied. Many funeral homes maintain an active library of pamphlets and books. These resources can have great value. They can “normalize” our grief by reminding us that the many reactions we have including the ways we feel (both emotionally and physically), the ways we think, believe and behave, are normal and natural responses to loss. These materials can offer us suggestions for coping. Most importantly, they can offer hope. Funeral homes also can offer consultation, information, referral or even sponsor support groups. Thomas M. Quinn & Sons Funeral Home has a licensed Mental Health Counselor serving as a consultant who can refer bereaved clients to appropriate resources within the community. It also offers informational seminars four times a year on such topics as dealing with the death of a spouse, significant other, or parent, as well as coping with the holidays. Since holidays can be so difficult after a loss, many funeral homes may offer special holiday rituals. For example, prior to Christmas, Thomas M. Quinn & Sons has a special Holiday Tree Lighting. In this meaningful service, families either bring or create a personal ornament memorializing the person who died. These are placed on a tree that is then officially lighted after a brief ceremony. Many families return year after year to remember and to honor their deceased relatives in this way. The aftercare services of funeral homes are often echoed in other community resources such as support groups that are available in churches, synagogues, and other community organizations. All serve to assist bereaved persons long after the funeral is over. Holy Family Garden Columbarium ascension cemetery (845) 352-7220 Are the cremated remains of your loved ones at rest, safe and secure? AN IMPORTANT FAMILY MATTER DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A FAMILY CRISIS AT NEED: • Burden on your family at a trying time • Hurried choices at a time of grief • Extra expense as burial costs increase every year • Large cash outlays VS. PRE-NEED: Provides: • Peace of Mind • Relieves the burden on your loved ones • Ful lls your wishes • Saves money † Lawn Crypt Burial Space Available † Niche Space for Cremated Remains CALVARY CEMETERY 49-02 Laurel Hill Boulevard Woodside, NY 11377 (Garden of the Holy Family Columbarium is located in Calvary Two: Section 43) Are the cremated remains of your loved ones at rest, safe and secure? e church teaches that cremated remains be treated with the same respect given to the human body from which they come. e cremated remains should be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium. e practice of scattering, dividing or keeping the cremated remains in the home is not in keeping with Catholic teaching. Memorialize your loved ones cremated remains in a beautiful nal resting place. Call Today (718)786-8000 Visit Our Website: www .calvarycemeteryqueens.com
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