Meaningful Things You Can Do for Someone Who is Grieving

Life is full of ups and downs. There are moments of success, and then there are moments of failure or grief. But nothing is sadder than a loved one leaving us forever; the loss is an irreparable one.

Memories associated with them are fresh in our minds, and it becomes very tough to let go. Due to this internal pain, stress hormones are released into the body. The effect of these hormones causes an increase in mental distress and instability in the mind, and it becomes tough to overcome these. When someone you know is in grief, their professional life also takes a hit as they are not able to concentrate on their work. However, if you can take some thoughtful actions, it can offer relief to your friend or relative.

Below we have some meaningful things you can do for someone who is grieving, to not only relieve their pain but to also help them lead a normal life.

Stay in Touch With the Person

It is a bitter fact that nothing in the world can take the place of the person who is no more. However, your support and support from friends and family can help your friend overcome this indispensable loss to an extent. The follow-up period after the death of a loved one is a crucial time. During this phase, the bereaved requires the utmost care and attention of their close ones. Therefore, you can try staying connected to them through frequent phone calls and visits. This will help them share thoughts and also divert their mind temporarily.

Keep the Person Physically Active

Help your friend stay physically active by involving them in some activities or tasks. For example, to divert their mind, you can make them participate in household chores such as grocery shopping, cooking, and pet care. Playing outdoor sports with them such as basketball, cricket, etc., can also keep them fit and active. Yoga and meditation are other effective ways to help declutter your friend’s mind and cope in adverse situations.

Connect the Person With Nature

Nature and fresh air revitalize and calm a person. Taking your buddy outside the house for a long walk or a long drive can ease their feeling of isolation and sadness. Besides, activities such as gardening and watering the plants also soothe their mind and generate positive energy.

Help to Commemorate the Deceased

Memorialize the person who is no more. You can make him write a poem in memory of the deceased or even get a photograph of them together framed. This reflects the love and affection towards the deceased and helps your pal and their relatives recall the good memories they shared.

Listen More, Talk Less

The loss of a loved one leaves people devastated. Sometimes the most meaningful thing you can do for someone who is grieving is give them complete space to talk freely and express their thoughts. All your pal needs is a patient and calm listener. Sometimes just listening can provide significant relief to the individual.

Deliver Some Thoughtful Tokens

Losing a person close to your heart is the hardest thing to overcome. Nothing can compensate for it. However, sending some thoughtful tokens to your friend in the form of food or flowers along with a message note showing care and love depicts emotional gestures for them.

If you want to know more about meaningful things you can do for someone who is grieving, contact our experts at Found and Sons Funeral Chapels and Cremation Service.

Rolling Up Our Sleeves

We Did It!

Last Friday we hosted our third blood drive at our Culpeper Chapel. Our blood drive goal was to collect 24 units of blood and thankfully, we exceeded our goal by ten extra units of blood! The support of our community during this time has been inspiring. To everyone who attended the drive, thank you for donating. We had no idea how important this drive would be when we scheduled it 3 months ago.

Right now, the American Red Cross has an ongoing critical need for blood product donations as uncertainties remain during this coronavirus pandemic. Blood drives continue to be canceled at an alarming rate and patients need a sufficient blood supply throughout the many weeks of this crisis and beyond. Healthy individuals are needed to schedule an appointment to give in the days and weeks ahead to help patients counting on lifesaving blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma. If you weren’t able to donate at our drive, we encourage you to donate at other drives within Culpeper and Fredericksburg.

Doug and Carolyn Found have been giving blood consistently since Doug was 26!

Nothing but smiles from these donors!

Type O, A Negative or B Negative Donors

If you are the Type O, A Negative, or B Negative you have the ability to give back even more through a Power Red donation. Power Red is similar to a whole blood donation, except a special machine is used to allow you to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation while returning your plasma and platelets to you.

Why should you do it? You may already know about the ongoing need for blood and the importance of your blood donations. Whole blood donations contain red blood cells, platelets, plasma, and white blood cells. Red blood cells are the most frequently used blood component and are needed by almost every type of patient requiring transfusion. If you meet certain criteria, Power Red allows you to safely donate two units of red cells during one appointment as an automated donation process. It is as safe as a whole blood donation.
How is it different? During your Power Red, blood is drawn from one arm through an automated process. The machine separates and collects two units of red cells and then safely returns the remaining blood components, along with some saline, back to you through the same arm.
Save time and make your blood donation go further: If you are extremely busy, committed to donating blood and an eligible type O, A negative or B negative donor, Power Red may be ideal for you. Each procedure lets you give more of the product that is needed most by patients. Power Red (double red cell donation) takes approximately 30 minutes longer than a whole blood donation and you can donate approximately every four months.
Feel better: With all of your platelets and plasma returned to you along with some saline, you don’t lose the liquid portion of your blood and may feel more hydrated after your donation.

We hope that everyone is doing well during this time of uncertainty. To learn more about our upcoming drives and to get signed up early, contact Todd Breeden at [email protected]. Until next time, #stayhome, #staysafe, and #staypositive.

An Interview with Funeral Director, Tonya Backe

How long have you been a funeral director? What were you before you became a funeral director?

I’ve been a licensed funeral director for two years. Prior to becoming a funeral director, I worked in a local medical office for 28 years.

What led you to this profession?

I was led to the funeral industry through friends that are directors. I was looking for a second career and thought the funeral industry would suit me as I enjoy serving others.

What is the most rewarding part of doing what you do?

The most rewarding part of being a funeral director is when families express their gratitude for all that you’ve done to help pay tribute to their loved one.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

I don’t think there is a “typical” work day for a director. Our industry is so unpredictable. A work day could consist of meeting with families to make funeral arrangements for a death that has occurred, or meeting with families to make pre arrangements for funeral services, perform embalming, preparing for visitations/viewings, etc.

What is one misconception that you think people have about funeral directors?

A typical misconception people have about funeral directors is that directors are mostly introverts that are odd, creepy, and uncaring.

If there is one thing that you could inform people about in regard to this industry, what would it be?

That pre-need arrangements are transferable. If you have made pre-arrangements with a funeral home and decide you would prefer another funeral home to serve you, they can be transferred.

What advice would you give someone who is considering becoming a funeral director?

My advice to someone considering becoming a director would be that this profession can be a very demanding profession with long hours and even sleepless nights, but if your desire is to truly help serve others, this has to be one of the most rewarding careers you could choose.

What advice would you give someone who is considering becoming a funeral director?

The funeral industry is not 9-5; it is 24/7. When you serve a family, it doesn’t begin at 9:00 AM and end at 5:00 PM. It is when they need you. Keeping a good balance of work life and personal life takes a bit of planning. I have to be certain to schedule time off to rejuvenate. That is the key for me to maintain a healthy balance of work and personal life.

What do you enjoy most about working and living and working in the Culpeper area? What are some things that you enjoy doing in the area?

What I enjoy most about working the Culpeper area is that our community is still quaint and although we are ever-growing, we are maintaining a bedroom community. You can still walk down the street and know someone that passes you, be it on the sidewalk or driving on the street. I enjoy the shops on Davis Street and the rich history our county holds.

Who is one person that inspires you? What is one quote that inspires you?

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are” – Theodore Roosevelt

My biggest inspiration are my children. They inspire me to be the best person I can be.