AFTERCARE
PROGRAM
GRIEF
IS A NATURAL PROCESS OF HEALING.
Our Aftercare Program Can Help
Grief
is personal. We all grieve in our own unique way, even when we experience
the death of the same person. Family and friends each express their
love differently, so it is natural for them to grieve the loss of a
loved one differently as well. This is why it is important to be understanding
of others who mourn the loss of someone.
Grief
is normal. Grief is a natural response to loss. Grief is a process we
must work through. At first you may feel shock and numbness. Shock acts
as a buffer, allowing you to get done what needs to be done the first
few months after a loss. As reality begins to settle in, the grief can
affect people emotionally, physically, behaviorally, spiritually and/or
psychologically. You may find yourself angry, even enraged over what
has happened. You may suffer headaches, or be unable to sleep. You may
sense the presence of your loved one. Grief can manifest feelings of
guilt, depression, loneliness, etc. Some of these reactions may be so
intense people can think they are going crazy. This is why it is important
to learn about the process of grief so that you know and understand
that what you are experiencing is a normal and natural response to your
loss.
Caring
Assistance. The services offered by the Farmer & Sons Funeral Homes
do not end after the funeral. The funeral directors and our Aftercare
Coordinator are committed to continue to provide comfort and care to
family and friends following the death of someone loved.
Grief
Counseling. Individual grief counseling is available for families.
Nancy Thornton MSLSW, our Aftercare Coordinator is available to meet
each family the funeral home serves. As a gentle presence, she offers
assistance to family and friends in a caring and compassionate way.
The funeral directors and Aftercare coordinator work together, listening
to the concerns of family members and friends, offering suggestions
on reading material appropriate to the loss. being available to provide
answers to questions and to alleviate any concerns.
Caring
for Children in Times of Loss. With the families permission Rick
Barry, one of our funeral directors, meets individually with children
before, during and after the funeral services, to answer any of their
questions. Rick gives each child a coloring book and spends time explaining
the visiting hours and the funeral and burial process.
aftercare@farmerfuneralhomes.com
BEREAVEMENT
CENTER
Farmer
& Sons/Bethany Bereavement Center
48
South Chestnut Street, Bradford, MA (978)374-9257
The
Farmer & Sons/Bethany Bereavement Center is a not-for-profit resource
open to anyone in the community.
Library:
We maintain a lending library of books and videos for adults and children.
Subjects include coping with grief, explaining death to children, dealing
with issues surrounding suicide, etc.
Newsletter:
Grief is a process that changes as the months pass. Mourning
Matters,
our quarterly newsletter, is sent to friends and family as well as local
clergy and clinicians, offering the reader helpful information on the
grieving process and updating them on supportive and educational programs
on grief and loss and other resources available to them in the community.
To receive this newsletter please the Center at 978-374-9257.
Coping
with Special Days and Holidays
Loss is difficult to cope with anytime during the year but especially
so during the holidays or any special day of the year. We offer programs
in November to share information on how families cope with the anticipation
of the holiday season. During May and June we offer supportive and educational
programs that focus on issues surrounding Mother's Day and Father's Day.
Educational
Programs on Grief and Loss
We live in a death denying society. Very few people are interested in
knowing more about grief and loss until it happens to them. One of our
goals is to educate adults and children on issues surrounding death
and dying so they will be better prepared to handle the death of a friend
or loved one.
The
Farmer & Sons/Bethany Bereavement and Resource Center continues to be
a resource to area schools, churches, and organizations in our community.
If you would like one of our funeral directors or our Aftercare Coordinator
to speak at your organization we invite you to call the Center (978)
374-9257 or email aftercare@farmerfuneralhomes.com
Supportive
Programs on Grief and Loss
Whenever grieving persons take the time to understand why they feel
the way they do, they usually begin to learn how to cope with their
grief. It's important to normalize what people experience and to lessen
feelings of loneliness and being misunderstood by friends and family
members. That's why we offer supportive programs to teach basic concepts
to those in need.
Supportive
and educational programs offered by the Farmer & Sons/ Bethany Bereavement
Center include the following:
Heart
to Heart: A "Senior Widows and Widowers program meets every
Wednesday morning from 9:30 to 11:00 AM in the Atrium at Haverhill
Crossings, 254 Amesbury Road, Haverhill (exit 52 off of Route 125)
A
General Loss Program is offered 2-3 times a year either at the
Farmer & Sons/Bethany Center or at the Merrimack Valley Hospital in
Haverhill. This evening program meets once a week for a period of six to
eight weeks.
A
Program for Adults Who Have Experienced the Loss of a Parent: A
four to six week group that meets once a week between Mother's Day and
Father's Day.
A
"Young" Widow and Widowers Program for men and women in
their 50's and 60's is held for a period of 8 to 10 weeks during fall
and spring months.
Journey
of Hearts: a supportive and educational program focusing on the
grieving process for homebound elders following the death of someone
loved. This Program is funded in part by a grant from the Griffin-White
Foundation.
In
addition to home visits, mailing and follow up phone calls, this
particular program also addresses the many transitions elders go through
such as a move into elder housing, having to surrender the right to
drive, having to move to a different community to be closer to family,
having to give up a pet, etc.
Loss
by Suicide: Samaritans' Safe Place meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday
of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Michael's Church, 196 Main
Street, North Andover. Free and open to public, no registration
required. 978-688-6607
Young
Widow and Widowers Group (ages
20 to 58 ) meets every Wednesday from 7-9 pm in
Andover
,
MA
. Pre-registration is requested. Please call 978-979-8993.
Compassionate
Friends
(for
bereaved parents) meets the 4th Monday of each month at The Immaculate
Conception Church, St. James Chapel, #105 in
Newburyport
. Please call Barbara DeLibero 978-697-1349.
One-on-One
Counseling: Nancy Thornton is available for short term grief counseling
at the Center. For those of you who are homebound, Nancy is available
to meet with you in your home. Please call Nancy at the Center to set
up an appointment. (978) 374-9257.
For
updated information on the programs offered by the Farmer &
Sons/Bethany Bereavement and Recourse Center, please call Nancy
Thornton 978-374-9257 or email at nthor81043@aol.com.
