Best Greif Counseling Tips for Funerals

[Scribe]

I did not see a Christian Ministry Forum so I guess this is the best place to ask the question about best methods for grief counseling.


I have very little experience in this area and I may be conducting funerals in the near future. I am sure I will be reading some good books on the subject. I thought it might be a good thread for discussion.

What helped you when you were grieving over the loss of a loved one? Was there something a pastor (or anyone) told you that you still remember that really helped you?

Was there something someone DID for you that was just as comforting as words?

What do you wish someone would have told you?

I am focusing only on Grief Counseling right now, not methods of conducting funerals, viewings, wakes, or graveside ceremonies but if there was something that occurred during any of these traditional parts of a funeral that was the most effective in grief resolution for you then by all means share it.

My objective is to discover what really works in grief counseling and comforting the bereaved and what is just empty platitudes and not effective and should be abandoned. I have been told that many common statements we hear at this time of loss are not very helpful.

 

[Lanolin]

my cousins funeral last month, the minister shared a lovely poem that really touched me. I think she chose it because it reflected who my cousin was.

She liked cats, and it was about the unconditional love cats have.

for me when anyone dies I do prefer burial as the act of burial is saying goodbye. Laying flowers on a grave and silent prayer (listening to God) I think those moments of silence are especially meaningful.

If there is no grave I plant a tree or write something, share a memory or photo. God also gives me scripture to comfort me, though I dont always share my grief with others, some people do need others around them, others prefer to have time alone.

 

[Scribe]

my cousins funeral last month, the minister shared a lovely poem that really touched me. I think she chose it because it reflected who my cousin was.

She liked cats, and it was about the unconditional love cats have.

for me when anyone dies I do prefer burial as the act of burial is saying goodbye. Laying flowers on a grave and silent prayer (listening to God) I think those moments of silence are especially meaningful.

If there is no grave I plant a tree or write something, share a memory or photo. God also gives me scripture to comfort me, though I dont always share my grief with others, some people do need others around them, others prefer to have time alone.

Thanks for the feedback. This promises to be a very informative thread.