Bereavement Ministers assist grieving families prepare the funeral mass to prayerfully and properly commemorate their loved one's life. Depending upon individual parish practices, this may include conveying sympathy on behalf of the parish; meeting with the family to guide them through the selection of readings, psalms, intercessions, and music; leading prayer at the vigil (wake) service; or communicating ongoing concern and support.
Bereavement Training provides an orientation to the ministry and is followed by hands-on training experiences guided by the parish Bereavement Minister or Coordinator.
David Kessler is an expert, author and speaker on grief and loss and the founder of
www.grief.com. Resources such as workshops, online grief courses and more are
available at https://www.davidkesslertraining.com/.
“Grief.com is dedicated to help everyone deal with the often unknown terrain that comes
along with all kinds of grief. Through education, information and other helpful resources
we hope to make the challenging road of grief a little easier.” www.grief.com.
Facebook Page: David Kessler
PRAYER FOR MOURNERS
Lord God,
you are attentive to the voice of our pleading.
Let us find in your Son comfort in our sadness,
certainty in our doubt,
and courage to live through this hour.
Make our faith strong through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
https://www.usccb.org/resources/prayers-death-and-dying
Holiday Greetings in These Difficult Times
By Amy Florian, © 2020 Corgenius, Inc
Check the holiday card aisle in your favorite store. You’ll see “Happy Holidays!” and “Happy Hanukkah!” and “Merry Christmas!” - all messages of light and joy. Yet the holidays are not "happy" or "merry" for families who coped with death during the year.
In 2020, the issues are even more complicated because, due to COVID, all of us are grieving in some way. As with those whose loved one died (whether of COVID or not), many have "primary losses" – a business failed, they were laid off or furloughed, a home burned in the wildfires or flooded in hurricanes, etc. These grieving people require particular sensitivity.
Even those without primary losses, though, are dealing with grief. Here's just a couple of examples:
These are only a few suggestions. You can adapt many more from my book A Friend Indeed: Help Those You Love When They Grieve or use these ideas to create your own. Regardless, don't gloss over the challenges of this holiday season for your friends, family, and colleagues. Instead, let them know you understand them, support them, and will be there to help see them through.
Amy Florian is a liturgy and bereavement consultant who is an expert is death, loss, grief, aging, and transition. She teaches care minister and bereavement minister training, offers inspirational and educational evenings, teaches at diocesan and parish events across the country, and is the author of the multi-award-winning book A Friend Indeed: Help Those You Love When They Grieve.
Bereavement Author: Amy Florian
Amy is a dynamic speaker, professor, author, and nationally-recognized bereavement consultant and grief coach helping people who are grieving a life-changing loss. Amy holds a Master’s Degree in Pastoral studies and a Fellow in Thanatology. (The highest level of certification in the field of death and grief studies)
"Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted” Matthew 5:4