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Lesson 2: Selecting from the Menu of Services
One of the best spin-offs of starting an Aftercare program is the flexibility coupled with its creative and innovative
potential. You can create almost anything, from simply providing informative brochures to your families, to hiring a staff person to run a more complex program.Most funeral homes already provide informational
pamphlets and brochures on grief to their families. There are several good companies that publish low-cost but effective material. Take a look at what is on the market. Show samples to other
professionals or grieving people to determine which are most helpful. Even the most expensive and graphically well designed brochure is of no use if the message is not helpful. Select brochures that focus on
different types of death and grief. For instance, general grief brochures are helpful, but to a parent who has experienced the death of their child, it is not enough. You should have brochures that give
information to families that have had a miscarriage or stillborn, a child who has died, for widows and widowers, for siblings, for children of parents who have died, and for unusual deaths such as homicide, suicide,
AIDS, and violent or sudden deaths. Creating a list of existing support groups in your community is another simple method of providing Aftercare services to your families. Take some time to make a few phone
calls to agencies that you feel might have support groups. To start, call your local hospice or visiting nurse association, some local churches, the hospital, or mental health center. They can tell you about
support groups. Make a list of these groups with their statement of purpose, (i.e., for parents, widows/widowers, suicide), include the dates, times, and locations for the meetings plus the name of a contact
person and their telephone number. Include other information such as whether or not there are fees or pre-registration required. Once you have compiled all of your information; type it up and make copies.
When the funeral is over, and you are giving the family their packet of materials from the service, hand them the brochures along with your list of local support groups. Draw their attention to the information so
that it doesn't get lost in all the other paperwork. If you are in a position to follow up with your families, making telephone calls throughout that first year says you care. Depending upon the volume of
services your funeral home conducts each year will determine whether or not this is possible. A word of caution, you need to have someone who is willing and capable to make these calls. Not all of your staff
will feel that this is part of their job, or may not feel comfortable making follow-up calls. It takes some skill, and lots of compassion for grieving people, to carry out this service. Demanding that a
staff member do it simply because they work for you is not going to be helpful to you, them, or your families. Find out who is willing to take on this part of the program. If they are willing but feel uncertain,
you might look into providing training. Most people who have not worked with grieving people seem to have some reticence about what to say or how to say it. Look in your local community for seminars on
grief. If none are available, call the closest hospice or mental health center and see if you can find resources for training. There are several organizations throughout the United States that provide this
kind of training. Because it may mean traveling out of state and staying for several days, the expense may be an issue. Hospices, some mental health centers, and some hospitals may have someone on their
staff who is knowledgeable about grief issues. You may be able to get them for a lower cost. |
