Whilst there are many services offered by a funeral company that is well-known to most people, such as coffin selection, transportation, and the arrangements for a funeral service, there are others that many are not aware of but are nonetheless extremely important and valued by those who have recently been bereaved, due to the death of a loved one.
One such service that a funeral company may offer its clients is grief support and counselling, which has proven to be highly valued and welcomed by those who are mourning and trying to come to terms with the death of a family member. As for how a funeral company might provide these services, we have outlined much of that below.
What Is Grief Support And Counselling?
No matter when or how a family member passes away, it can leave those left behind in many different emotional states. Many will be saddened but accept it as part of what it means to be human. Alternatively, there will be others who are traumatised by their loss.
Given the vast array of circumstances in which a death can occur, ranging from an elderly grandparent dying of old age to a child being murdered, it is no surprise that a ‘one-size fits’ solution does not exist. However, tried and trusted methods to help those who are grieving do exist, and these can take a variety of forms.
Grief counselling is the most obvious, whereby a trained individual will meet with the bereaved person face to face, via a video link, or simply over the telephone. Whichever is used, it gives the bereaved person a chance to talk about how they are feeling and the councillor an opportunity to evaluate and offer not only words of condolence but also proven methods for the bereaved to cope with their grief.
Bereavement counselling is a longer-term solution used when someone continues to struggle to come to terms with that a loved one has gone long after their death and funeral. This might need to continue for several months and beyond for the most severe cases. In all instances, your funeral directors can either offer the counselling or refer you to an external agency that does. Examples of these include:
- Professional Grief Counsellors: These are trained professionals who specialise in grief counselling, with some being registered psychologists. These can be found at the Australian Psychological Society or Centre for Grief and Bereavement.
- Independent Agencies: These charities and organisations offer grief counselling and may often do so without a fee. Many have websites where much of the advice is published. Examples include Beyond Blue, Lifeline, and NALAG Centre For Grief And Loss.
- Religious Organisations: Faith can bring great comfort to those suffering, and under that umbrella would be grief support. Local churches of many religions can have groups that offer community support for those suffering from grief, and the church leader will also be willing to offer pastoral comfort to their parishioners.
Benefits Of Grief Support And Counselling
Grief support and counselling have several benefits, but just as each individual’s needs will differ in their coping with their grief, the benefits that apply and the level of those benefits will also vary. Here are some of the main advantages of grief support and counselling.
- Knowing what to expect throughout the grieving process
- A better understanding of grief and how it can affect individuals
- Developing strategies to cope with grief
- Learning techniques to manage emotions
- Gaining support and comfort from communicating and interacting with others who are grieving
- Reduction in any sense of isolation
- Reduction in feelings of loneliness
- Discovering new ways to improve your wellbeing
- Improve mental health
- Increased hope
- Increased healing
- Better able to accept the loss of a loved one