The role of the funeral home should not end with the delivery of the flowers after the funeral services are over. Aftercare is the funeral profession's term for the services provided after the flowers are delivered.
After the funeral is over and reality sets in, there are many details to take care of (writing thank you notes, lawyer, bank accounts, life insurance, social security, etc.) There are also many questions which may arise regarding details to be addressed. Obviously, this can be an emotional and confusing time.
+YOUTH Adler, C.S., Daddy's Climbing Tree; 11 year old Jessica refuses to believe the reality of her father's death when he's killed in a hit-and-run accident. NY,1993.
PICTURE BOOK Boelts, Maribeth, Sarah's Grandma Goes To Heaven; a book about grief; A young girl comes to understand more about death, funerals, and heaven when her grandmother dies. Grand Rapids , MI , Zonderkidz Books, 2004.
Center for Loss and Life Transition , Dr. Alan Wolfelt is known around the world for his compassionate message of hope and healing in grief. He is director of the Center nestled in the Rocky Mountains near Ft. Collins, CO. http://www.centerforloss.com/.
Grief Net offers numerous discussion and support groups for bereaved persons in an e-mail/listserve format. A variety of resources related to death and major losses. Supervised by a grief psychologist. Also offers a newsletter, bookstore and memorial pages to create a tribute to a loved one. www.griefnet.org
Grief Recovery Online features message boards, chat groups and resource listings. www.groww.org
Growth House offers an extensive grief and bereavement section, including a chat room and information about general and family bereavement, pregnancy loss and infant death, and helping children cope with illness and grief. http://www.growthhouse.org/
HospiceNet offers extensive information about grief and bereavement, including issues regarding children and adolescents. www.hospicenet.org
KidsAid is an online support group for children dealing with any kind of loss. It includes artwork, stories and poems. Offers a safe environment for kids and their families to find information and ask questions. www.kidsaid.com
WidowNet is an information and support group resource for, and by, men and women of all ages, religious backgrounds and sexual orientations who have suffered the death of a spouse or a life partner. www.WidowNet.org
AARP Online Grief has lists of online resources and an online Grief Support Discussion Group along with practical information about the grieving process. www.griefandloss.org
Compassionate Friends assist families in positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age. You can also locate the nearest chapter to you. http://www.Compassionatefriends.org
Willowgreen hosted by writer, counselor, clergyman Dr James E. Miller. Free advice and tips for those who grieve in a creative, interesting web site. http://www.willowgreen.com/
Mend, Reaching out to those who have lost a child due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant death. http://www.mend.org/
A Place to Remember : Uplifting support materials and resources for those who have been touched by a crisis in pregnancy or the death of a baby . www.aplacetoremember.com
Cedar Valley Hospice: End-of-life care and Grief Support Services for loved ones of all ages. Serving Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler , Grundy, Fayette and Tama counties in Iowa. http://www.cedarvalleyhospice.org/.
The Dougy Center for Grieving Children and Families: Provides a safe place where children, teens, young adults, and their families grieving a death can share their experiences. http://www.dougy.org/.
Bereaved Parents of the USA : Is a National non-profit self-help group that offers support, understanding, compassion, and hope especially to the newly bereaved be they parents, grandparents, or siblings struggling to rebuild their lives after the death of their children, grandchildren, or siblings. http://www.bereavedparentsusa.org/.