Ways to help your family during hard times
Grief is very personal, and each of us walks our own road to get through it. For some, preparing for a funeral is a very painful affair; others may be more stoic and muddle through while preparing to grieve later when they are alone. So, how can we as friends and family members supports others who are preparing for a funeral? In today’s blog we will give you a few suggestions.
A funeral is a community event
Not long ago I was directing a funeral, and the service was about to begin. The doors to the sanctuary opened to myself and the pastor, and, most importantly, the grieving widower and his family. Waiting for us were 400 guests in attendance. There was an audible gasp and fresh tears from the family, followed by a brief pause as they took in this overwhelming show of support. We walked down the aisle to the reserved pews, surrounded by a sea of compassionate faces, an earthly cloud of witnesses. I was struck by the visible comfort this community gave the family simply by showing up. Their presence was a gift I don’t think the family will ever forget.