We're all in this together

This is the first of a series of eight posts sharing helpful Covid-19-related information from Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D. , that expresses well the goals and desires of William P. Spence Funeral and Cremation Services during this challenging pandemic.

#1 WE SERVE FAMILIES We take great pride in caring for bodies with respect, yet equally important is our mission to help families at a time when they are shocked, grieving and vulnerable. We are accustomed to working with families in crisis, and we are prepared to help them now.

#2 WE SCRUPULOUSLY FOLLOW HEALTH GUIDELINES We are experts in managing all health considerations for the families we serve. We have experience with infectious disease, and as always, we carefully follow all health codes and government regulations.

#3 SPENDING TIME WITH THE BODY HELPS PEOPLE MOURN We know it’s hard to truly acknowledge the death of a loved one and begin mourning if we don’t see and spend time with the body. This is especially true of families that couldn’t be at the dying person’s side at the hospital or nursing home. So even though there may be current restrictions, and in some parts of the country this isn’t possible right now, we are working within those restrictions to ensure that as many close loved ones as possible have the opportunity to view their loved one and say their final goodbyes.

#4 SPENDING TIME WITH THE BODY BEFORE CREMATION HELPS PEOPLE MOURN More and more families are choosing cremation. It’s important to understand that whether you choose cremation or casket burial, it’s helpful to spend at least a few minutes with the body before cremation or closing the casket.

#5 HUMANS HAVE ALWAYS HAD FUNERALS We know funerals date back to ancient times and that every culture and civilization has practiced death rituals. Why? Because funerals help us acknowledge the death, honor the person who died and support one another. In other words, funerals help us mourn well and set us on a healthy path to healing.

#6 DELAYING FUNERALS DELAYS THE NATURAL MOURNING PROCESS You can’t put grief on “pause.” Anything that delays a funeral delays the natural mourning process. If restrictions prevent a big gathering, it’s best to have a small but immediate ceremony (or several ceremonies, if needed, to accommodate all primary mourners) followed by an all-inclusive, larger memorial service in the future. Online funerals are also helping many families.

#7 WE CAN HELP FAMILIES CREATIVELY MEET THEIR MOURNING NEEDS We serve grieving families, and even with so many restrictions in place, we are finding creative ways to help them honor their loved one and support one another in the days following the death. We are also helping them connect with technology and plan future gatherings.

#8 THE PANDEMIC IS REMINDING US ALL ABOUT WHAT IS TRULY IMPORTANT Relationships matter. Togetherness matters. Honoring the life of each unique individual matters. Supporting one another matters. These are the reasons we do what we do. And in this difficult time, we are here to help families to the best of our ability with what is most important to them.