Dealing with death is difficult, especially if you can’t physically attend the funeral service. You may not be able to attend a funeral for many reasons, such as living in another region or overseas, not being well enough to travel, or being unable to travel at short notice, work commitments, or other obligations. There are, however, several ways in which you can still support grieving family members.
Utilise Technology to Support from a Distance
Today’s technology has allowed us to be present in places we physically can’t be. Many funeral homes now can include a live-stream or digital recording of a service, so people can still be involved even when in a different location.
Consider talking to the organising family members to see if they can include a stream of the funeral for you to be still involved. If that isn’t possible, find out if the funeral directors can record the service for you to view later.
Osbornes Funeral Directors offers a live streaming service option to make funerals accessible for all. With One Room, family and friends can live stream the service or download a recorded version to view later. Get in touch to find out more information.
Sending Flowers & Cards
Sending traditional gifts to family members when someone passes is one of the greatest ways to show support and condolence.
Flowers and cards are a beautiful way to express your thoughts. Consider sending flowers that the deceased favoured or select colours that brighten up a room. Remember to keep the language expressive and warm when writing a card, considering the recipient’s feelings. Writing messages such as; ‘I am thinking of you in this time of grief’ or ‘If there is anything I can do…’ give your message a personal touch.
Offer Ongoing Support
In the time immediately after someone passes, family members are often inundated with support from family and friends. In the weeks after a funeral, when most others have moved on, family members can often feel lonely and overwhelmed adapting to their new life.
Spending time with the grieving is something that will stay with them forever. Being there with them physically can be a great opportunity to show you are still thinking about their loss. Try to plan a trip to visit them a little while after their loved one has passed. If you’re unable to be there physically, maintaining regular phone conversations is an excellent way to show your loved ones that they are always on your mind.
