Thursday, March 28, 2024

‘Tell Me How to Grieve’: Thoughts on Leaning on Ceremony After a Death During...

Without a funeral, what are the hundreds of thousands of families who have lost or will lose a loved one during the pandemic, regardless of cause of death, supposed to do?

Dr. Wolfelt’s Advice for Families Grieving Amid the Holidays and Pandemic

Bestselling author and grief expert Dr. Alan Wolfelt is sharing some practical suggestions for families to help them through these unique and unprecedented times.

Funeral Directors Nationwide Overwhelmed by COVID-19 Surge

It’s our duty at The Funeral Leader to bring our followers the latest industry news and events. COVID-19 doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon, and many professionals in our industry are feeling overwhelmed. Here’s a round-up of recent articles depicting what’s happening across the country.

Awakening Gratitude: Sharing Perspective from Dr. Alan Wolfelt

During this morning’s sunrise, I sat down to give more thought to how this pandemic has created an opportunity to wake up to the power of gratitude. As I inventory my gratitude in this article, I invite you to do the same.

Funeral Directors in Some States Still Advocating for Vaccine Access

Although we’re starting to see the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel — and many of us have received vaccines — many deathcare professionals are still feeling the strain from the recent spike in deaths. Here are a few industry-related stories to keep you up to date.

Letter from the Editor: Reflections on Losing a Loved One to COVID-19

My family became members of a club that we never wanted to be part of — those mourning the loss of a loved one who died from COVID-19. She became one of the thousands of people who were taken from this earth too soon.

When Families Say “We’ll Have a Service Later” — How You Can Be the...

You don’t need me to tell you that COVID-19 has forced hundreds of thousands of American families to postpone services for a loved one who died during the pandemic.

Tips for COVID Stress Reduction: Preparation, Mental Health, and Self Care

Bereavement professionals such as funeral directors, embalmers, cemetery workers, crematorium operators, and their support staff may regularly engage with diverse, potentially psychologically traumatic events.

Bracing for the End: How Death Doulas Make All the Difference

A relatively new option for the dying and their family members, death doulas provide non-medical emotional support and assist in navigating the end-of-life process. They advocate for the wishes and final preferences of a dying person while serving as a calming presence for loved ones.

Depictions of Death: What the Funeral Profession Can Learn from Death in Pop Culture

The deathcare profession can learn some helpful lessons by looking at depictions of death in pop culture, understanding how collective expressions of grief can be helpful to the bereaved that we serve, and how the general public is exposed to our profession.