How to Stay Well During Times of Bereavement.

Rhonda Neighbourly Lead from Hastings Central

Hi there Friends and Neighbours,
Some of you may be aware halfway during this year I have had the privilege of becoming a Funeral Celebrant. The families I have met have all been beautiful. It has been a privilege to learn about their loved one and help create a service so together we have been able to honour the deceased by telling stories and sharing our tributes. The funeral and memorial services have been done tastefully and creatively in such a way that the family members and friends can come away feeling as 'whole' as they can as they move forward knowing they did a good job.

After journeying with these families and after watching my own family say our final Goodbyes to close relatives, I have done some research. I have taken advice from doctors, and counsellors and psychologists and other Celebrants and can see some common areas of information that would be helpful for people to have thought about before a bereavement happens.

I have prepared a 'How To Stay Well During Times of Bereavement' public talk that comes with handouts, as well as an easy to read document that people can fill in for themselves which gives whanau and family a chance to find out their wishes should they die. It is a little like preparing our Emergency/Earthquake kits. Think about it, pack it, and park it. Pull it out if and when you need it. Much of the information will be helpful not only when there is a death, but for many situations of stress and anxiety or acute difficulty.

This presentation is a friendly positive way of giving people useful information that can be so incredibly helpful at a time when there is so much to do and complicated things to be thinking about.

For those of you interested in coming and hearing about How To Stay Well During Times of Bereavement and how to keep your family and friends well, can you please comment below or PM me on what days and times of the day might best suit you. If we get enough people interested, I will aim to find a time and place that works for you. If you belong to a community group or a workplace that is interested, I am currently taking bookings for next year. Depending on the type of group there will a no cost or small cost to cover expenses. I can confirm costs once we have a date and venue and I know how many people are keen.
Looking forward to hearing days and times that will work best for you.

Kind regards
Rhonda Diprose
Funeral Celebrant Hawke's Bay
(The Celebrant is the Officiant who journeys with the family and leads the service. The Funeral Director is the Undertaker.)