Merging meaning and mourning

A funeral can be as unique as the individual being remembered. Even while adhering to traditions and ceremony, a funeral service should reflect personal values, interest and experiences - all the things that formed the rich tapestry of a life worth celebrating.

A meaningful funeral service is also an essential element in the healing process after the loss of a loved one. A funeral provides family and friends with closure after the death, and an opportunity to reminisce about the deceased’s life.

As you reflect on the life of your loved one. and begin to plan a fitting tribute, focus on the unique aspects of their life. and work those key elements into the ceremony. Was your husband an amateur painter? Consider holding a retrospective of his work. Was your orandmother a teacher? You may want t? to ask a school choir to perform at the service. Weaving your loved one’s personality into the event provides a lasting and honorable representation of who they were in life. Through special music, asking key individuals to speak. involving friends and family, and other special touches. you can creatively bring your loved one’s individuality into the funeral service. evoking fond memories for those mourning the loss.

A few questions you can ask yourself to help organize your thoughts include:

∙ Some of my loved one’s most important accomplishments include.

∙ Some of my fondest memories of him or her are.

∙ People who had the greatest affect on my loved one’s life are.

∙ My loved one’s favorite music is.

∙ My loved one’s hobbies and interests include.

∙ Other things that gave him or her enjoyment are.

∙ The causes and beliefs my loved one was passionate about are.

∙ If my loved one was planning this service, he or she would include.

Your local National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) member funeral director can be your greatest resource as you sort through your options and begin to make plans. NFDA funeral directors offer families information, advice. understanding. empathy and a shoulder to lean on during one of life’s most difficult times.

They can help you find many unique ways to bring your loved one’s qualities into the funeral service. NFDA funeral homes around the country are participating in a national consumer education campaign, For A Life Worth Celebrating, in an effort to help inform consumers about the many available options when it comes to planning a meaningful funeral service. For more information. visit your local NFDA member funeral home or visit http://www.nfda.org.