Page 43 - Summer 2019 - Lubbock Senior Link Magazine - Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS

Pastors & DEFINING

THE
Funeral Homes ROLES

and their regular workload. Unfortu-
Celebrating the end of the life is at church staff do not have. Their training by Laura Landes
least as important as every milestone and experience are invaluable during nately, the desire to fulfill expectations
preceding it. When we are the ones the planning and the actual fulfillment puts pressure on pastors. More often
responsible for making it memorable, of a meaningful memorial. The funeral than not, they receive minimal com-
there are some guidelines that can home staff serves as the “behind-the- pensation for the liability they bear.
make the process less complicated. scenes” crew that guarantees a flawless
Funerals can be compared to weddings presentation, whether the physical Before you need the services of a
but without a bride to make all the body is present or not. funeral home, it would be beneficial
decisions. And typically, the funeral to consider the expertise and extent of
is planned in days, not months. Grief The basic service charge of a funeral their services, so that you won’t place
and multiple family members with home pays for the manpower required an undue burden on your pastor and
different ideas can further compound for composition of Tribute DVDs and his/her staff. That will give them more
the stress. memorial folders, floral arranging, time and energy to devote to what they
memory table designing, manning do best – being present with comfort,
Guidelines have changed over the past register stands, greeting and guidance counsel, and spiritual support.
50 or 60 years. Not that long ago, most for guests, seating of the family, home
people relied on their churches to han- delivery of remaining
dle the details involved in the planning items, aftercare pro-
and execution of a celebration of life. grams specially de-
But today, no church is equipped to signed for each sur-
carry out all of the things that go into viving family
providing an end of life celebration. member and many
other tasks. Funer-
Clergymen and pastors want to be al home staffs are
present for spiritual support. Church actually trained to be
staff and volunteers are dedicated to as inconspicuous as
providing fellowship, comfort and possible. In fact, they
spiritual guidance in the days lead- often make what they FREE 1-HOUR WORKSHOPS AT LAKE RIDGE CHAPEL AND MEMORIAL DESIGNERS
THE 1ST & 3RD TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH - TAUGHT BY LOCAL EXPERTS
ing up to a person’s passing, and do look easy. Upcoming Events:
they maintain that support in the days
that follow. The goal of the church People sometimes SPECIAL UPCOMING PRESENTATION:
is to fulfill the personal and spiritual assume that a church WE ARE PARTNERING WITH THE UMC NEIDS TEAM FOR THIS SPECIAL EVENT
needs of its members and their fami- staff should do some JUNE 4TH, 2019 @ 5:30PM
UMC NEIDS TEAM
lies. They exist to provide comfort and or all of the logistical University Medical Center
counsel during times of loss. Churches work surrounding The Truth about Synthetics and Illegal Drugs
are also happy to provide a venue and the ceremony. But JUNE 18TH, 2019 @ 5:30PM
perhaps a meal. However, pastors and the fact of the matter
church staffs are limited in their ability is that most church- HUGH HAYS
to accommodate most of the logistical es do not want this More than Money: Leaving a Legacy
needs associated with a funeral. responsibility, and Topic Sneak Peek:
we put them in a ter- Back & Neck Pain The Suicide Epidemic
The role of the funeral home is to make rible position when The Cremation Deliberation Internet Safety
certain that services run as seamless- we presume they Senior Job Fair Preneed
ly as possible and to ensure beauti- will “handle” an Protecting and Maximizing Your IRA
ful memories of an honorable celebra- event laden with PLEASE RSVP FOR EACH WORKSHOP: 806-698-8085
tion. Even when families have chosen tremendous room for Call for information on upcoming workshops!
cremation, all necessary prepara- error. Pastors may Refreshments will be served.
tions for the memorial service must be feel obligated to ful-
made in a very small window of time fill the wishes of their
to make sure all elements of the service parishioners, and the Laura Landes
are executed without error. With this burden may fall on Event Coordinator LAKE RIDGE
in mind, funeral homes employ indi- staff, who are limited 806-698-8085 ha l & emo ia esigne
viduals with skillsets and talents that by lack of training

Lubbock Senior Link 43