Monthly Archives: June 2019

Grief FAQs

It is never easy to deal with the grief that comes after a loss. No one grieves in the same manner, which can make things even more complex, but there are ways that you can help yourself. It can truly make a difference if you know what to expect from grief and if you can get answers to any questions you may have about the process. Funeral homes and providers of cremation services in La Porte, IN can give you answers to the most commonly asked questions.

How Long Does Grief Last?

This is a very common question, but there is no one answer. Everyone grieves on their own schedule, so you may experience a shorter or longer grieving period than someone else. This does not mean that you cared more or less for the person you lost. Everyone is different and processes grief in different ways.

Is Crying so Much Normal?

Crying is important to the grieving process. You should allow yourself to feel what you need to feel and express it as you see fit. For most people this means crying. Some people experience long periods of crying while others have jags that come and go. If you see that crying is interfering with your health, ask for help.

What are the Signs of Grief?

There are many signs that you should watch out for. Crying, of course, is a common one, but rapid mood swings is also something that happens to a lot of people. You may not find it easy to sleep or you may feel the need to sleep a lot more than usual. Some people lose their appetite, while others eat more. It will depend greatly on your own self, but you can expect variations of these signs.

What Helps the Process?

Communicating and expressing what you are feeling is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself when going through grief. You also want to be patient with yourself and allow for time to heal the loss. Many people ask for too much from their emotions, wanting to get back to normal as soon as possible, but it will happen on its own time. If you find yourself struggling a lot, be sure to consider reaching out to a professional, like a counselor, for help. They can guide you through the process of grieving so that you can start healing.

You will have many questions if you are going through a mourning period. The best thing you can do is inform yourself on what you can expect, but remember that everyone will process a death in a different manner. Reach out to people you trust and let them know what you are feeling and if you see that you need help, contact a counselor. You can also reach out to a La Porte, IN cremation service provider or funeral home director for more information. At Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, we can help you learn more about the grieving process as you make arrangements. Visit us at 2900 Monroe St La Porte, IN 46350 or call us at (219) 362-2828.

Myths about Grief

It is not easy to deal with the grief that can come after a death. It also does not help when there are so many myths and misconceptions about the process. This can make it more difficult to know the truth and what you need to do to start healing. If you are going through this right now, you may want to consider learning a bit about these myths. Directors of funeral homes in La Porte, IN can help by offering the truth.

A very common myth is that people follow a strict grieving process. This is not true. Although there are many stages to grief after a death, not everyone goes through all of them or in the same order. It is vital that you realize that your grieving process might not look like anyone else’s, not even other family members. Knowing this will allow you to accept your own process and start healing on your own time.

Something else that people believe about grief is that it is best not to speak of the loss at length. The truth is that by trying to avoid dealing with the death, your grief will actually get worse. It is important to know that if you do not feel comfortable speaking about the death yet, you should give yourself time but plan to communicate with someone you trust about what you are feeling.

Many people also believe that keeping themselves busy is a great way of putting aside grief. Although engaging in activities you enjoy is definitely healthy, you do also want to make certain that you are doing so because you want to and not because you think it is what is expected of you. Lots of people want to give the appearance of getting over a death, when they are still actually dealing with the loss. Be honest with yourself and with those around you and give yourself the time you need to get better on your own terms.

Another myth is that asking for help from counselors or support groups is a show of weakness. This is completely false. Everyone needs a bit of help sometimes. This can mean speaking with a fried or relative, or turning to a professional. No matter what you decide, you should never feel uncomfortable or like you are weaker because you need help.

These are some of the most common myths about the process of grief. By keeping them in mind and knowing the truth, you can make certain that you accept the grieving process and start healing. Many times, this will mean turning to counselors or other professionals and you should never be ashamed of this. If you still have questions about grief, reach out to a La Porte, IN funeral home like us at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center. We are here to guide you through the process of grieving and to help you with everything you require for the funeral. Visit us at 2900 Monroe St La Porte, IN 46350 or call us at (219) 362-2828.

Children and Memorials or Funerals

If you have lost a loved one and are planning on taking your child to the memorial or funeral service, there are some things you do need to keep in mind. By doing a bit of research into ho to prepare the child for the service and what to do if the child gets upset, you can ensure that you and the other guests, as well as the child, get the kind of closure you all need. Providers of cremation services in La Porte, IN can offer some assistance.

One of the first things to know is that each child is different. Some children will welcome the idea of attending the service to say goodbye to their loved one, while others will not want to do this at all. It is important that you treat the child as you would an adult. Do not force them to attend the service, even if you think it will be beneficial for them. A child who does not want to be at the service will not be able to get the closure you want for them and they may bother other guests.

Usually, people do not bring children under six years to memorial or funeral services. This is because they will not really understand what is happening and they may get frustrated and bored during the process. This may, in turn, distract other guests who are there to star the healing process. If in doubt, ask the funeral home director or the cremations service provider for recommendations on what you should do.

If you notice that your child is getting fussy, tired, or bored, it is crucial that you remove them from the service. You may not want to do this for fear of disturbing other people, but it will be much worse if the child starts crying or throwing a tantrum. Monitor their behavior so that you do not bother anyone else who is there to get the closure they need after a death.

Do take the time before the service to explain to the child what death means. This will allow them to prepare themselves for the service. You might also want to run the service so that the child knows what they will experience. For children, the unknown can be very frightening, so by letting them know as much as possible about the service, you will be helping them.

All of these suggestions can make it easier for you to prepare your child for attending a funeral or memorial service. A lot of times, the decision will depend on whether the child wants to go or not, since you should never force a child to attend if they do not want to. Not only is this not helpful for them, but it can bother other guests. You can learn more about this by contacting a La Porte, IN cremation service provider. Choose a company like us at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center for help. Visit us at 2900 Monroe St La Porte, IN 46350 or call us right now at (219) 362-2828.

Tips for Pallbearers

Being asked to be a pallbearer at a funeral service can make many people nervous. Most people have never done that before and so you may have questions or worries about the process to avoid doing something wrong. If this is the case and you want to ensure you know what to do during the service, funeral homes in La Porte, IN can offer some tips that can help you.

The first thing you need to remember is that you should get to the service early. Not only is this more respectful to the grieving family who have asked you to be part of the service, but it will also allow you to ask questions from the director. Usually, too, the funeral director will give you and the other pallbearers instructions about what you need to do during the service, so you should be present. Be certain that you pay attention to the instructions, too, since you do not want to have doubts about what you have to do.

When you choose the outfit for the service, go for conservative style. You want to stick to dark, somber colors, and you want to wear something respectful and that will not draw attention away from the proceedings. For women, skirts, dresses, or dress pants are great options, and for men a suit of some kind can work very well. Unless told otherwise, men should wear ties. Be sure you also wear shoes that you are comfortable in, since you will have to walk as a pallbearer.

Pay attention to the other pallbearers. You want to make certain that you are walking at a pace that matches those of the others. Sometimes, there are rehearsals for this, but if there is not, then you want to keep an eye on the people around you to see the kind of pace you should follow.

As a pallbearer, you may be asked to sit with the other pallbearers and participants in the service. Some families prefer to do this to ensure that everyone is in the right place when they are needed and that no one is distracted. If you have not been given instructions about where to sit, you should be ready to move if the family or the funeral director asks you to do so.

These tips can make the process of getting ready to participate in the service as a pallbearer a bit easier. You should definitely make certain that you are comfortable with being a pallbearer, since not everyone feels that they can do the task while dealing with grief. If that is the case with you, notify the family at once so that they can find someone else. If you still have concerns about the process, you can always reach out to a La Porte, IN funeral home to speak with the director and ask the questions you may have. Get started right now by contacting us at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center. Visit us at 2900 Monroe St La Porte, IN 46350 or give us a call at (219) 362-2828.