COPING WITH THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE Reach out to others. Grief often can turn a person inward, and your feelings may be bottled up. Talking about your emotions, whether it’s with a trusted friend or even a therapist, may help. Online message boards that cover grief and loss may provide the support you need. Leaning on others who have been in your shoes may help you recover more quickly.
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Tips on planning a memorial service • Set the date and time. Memorial services should be planned in consideration of any family members who have traveled from out of town. Set a date close enough to the funeral or anniversary event that visiting friends and family can attend. •␣Choose a location. Arrange a memorial service at a location that is large enough to accommodate the number of people you’ve invited. Know how many chairs you need, tables for food and arrangements and a podium for a guestbook. •␣Compile a guest list and send out the invitations. Stay organized when planning a memorial service by making a list of all friends and loved ones of the deceased for sending out invitations. •␣Personalize decorations and music. Make the memorial service a reflection of the person whose memory you’re honoring by choosing decorations and music the individual would have liked. Use floral arrangements with the person’s favorite flowers or colors and compile a play list of favorite songs or types of music to be played throughout the service. •␣Get input from loved ones. Ask friends and family members of the deceased individual for input about special touches that will best help remember their loved one. •␣Arrange for guest speakers. A key component of many memorial services is having a series of guest speakers who can provide their personal perspective on the deceased person’s life and the legacy being left behind.
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