My name is Evan, and I am a funeral director at a busy funeral home in the Midwestern United States. I have found that many loved ones want to personalize the funeral experience, but they simply don't know how. I am going to outline some ways that you can make a funeral unique to the person you are celebrating. From dramatic readings to favorite music to decorated caskets, the only limit is your imagination when it comes to planning the perfect funeral. I hope your mind will be open to the possibilities the next time you are in the unfortunate situation of having to plan a funeral.
Add Unique Touches to a Funeral
Simple Ways You Might Get More Out Of Grief Counseling
Christina Clarke
Grief counseling, like that offered at Gillies Funeral Chapel, is an essential part of loss for many people. Nobody should be expected to face a monumental loss without help, and going to grief counseling is an act of love for yourself and your family. A death in the family can make someone want to shut down, but you don't have to allow yourself to give in to the pain. Grief counseling can guide you through the pain of loss and beyond. Consider these simple ways that may enable you to get the most out of therapy.
Be Completely Open and Honest with Your Grief Counselor
Some people fear the weight of their emotions, and they are frightened of unleashing their grief. They may also worry that it would be too much for a grief counselor. However, keep in mind that it feels that overwhelming only when it hasn't been processed, and your counselor is trained to help people with loss.
Your therapist will be able to handle anything you say. If you aren't open and honest with your counselor, you are doing yourself a disservice. If you are worried that you are being "too open", talk about that with your therapist, who is sure to reassure you that candor and openness is a necessary part of grief counseling sessinos.
Do What It Takes to Go to Every Session
When you are deciding on when your weekly appointment for grief counseling should be, be sure to think about all the prior commitments you've made. Choose a time that will make it easy for you to go to each session.
Emergencies come along in life, but do your best to go to every session of grief counseling. You should go at least once per week. If something comes up on the day when you usually have therapy, you should try to see if the grief counselor can see you on another day that week. Being consistent is a very important part of the therapy process.
Keep a Therapy Journal or a Grief Journal
No matter what you want to call it, keep a diary during this time of your life. Try to write at least three pages per day in your journal. Let yourself brainstorm and just write about what's on your mind. You may end up discovering things about your grief that you weren't consciously aware of prior to writing your feelings down on paper.
If you often think of things you'd like to talk about in your counseling sessions during week, you should also set a page aside for jotting down thoughts you want to bring up in therapy. That will allow you to be focused on things you really want to say and discuss.
Finally, keep in mind that grief counseling can empower you to grieve for your loved one and find healthy ways to move on with your life. Be proactive about going to your counseling sessions on a regular basis and commit to telling the truth while you're there. When you take these actions to get the most out of grief counseling, you are setting yourself up for success.
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