Issue 13.13
People often ask me how I can work in the funeral industry. Isn’t such a profession filled with sadness and gloom? For me, it is actually just the opposite. I find it deeply fulfilling. I have had the privilege of walking with and learning from hundreds of people who have experienced the death of someone they love, and it has been my blessing to stand at the side of these bereaved people and lovingly point the way through the process. It never gets old.
In recent years, many people have begun to question the value of holding a funeral service. Their first reaction is to get things over with as quickly as possible. They mistakenly believe that not having a funeral will shelter them from more pain. I always allow the family to make their own choices, but I also feel that I should share my thoughts on the benefits of the funeral ceremony where either burial or cremation is requested. Here are a few thoughts to consider.
Funeral services facilitate the sharing of memories. Funerals provide an opportunity to receive the gift of treasured memories that others have shared with the deceased. Many families are pleasantly surprised to hear stories from friends and relatives about their loved one that they had never heard before. Being surrounded by family and friends and learning how their lives were touched can bring great comfort.
Funeral services channel broad community support. When someone dies, the pain of loss is shared by the community. An effective service provides an opportunity for mourners to express how the life of the deceased impacted them.
Funeral services are a catalyst to the healing process. Taking the opportunity to view the deceased in a casket, attending the funeral service, and witnessing the casket at the grave or crematory are therapeutic acts that actually promote the healing process. Even though these experiences may seem difficult, the memories that result will later help the bereaved adjust to the reality of loss.
As family counselors, our job is to help calm anxiety and lovingly point the way through the process. At SereniCare Funeral Home, we are passionate about helping and loving the families we serve.
We invite you to stop by SereniCare Funeral Home for your free two page planning guide. We are located just off Riverside Dr., at 1316 S. 400 E., St. George, UT, or call us at (435) 986-2085, or visit online at www.serenicare.com.
Dick Johnson is a funeral planner and co-owner of SereniCare Funeral Homes.