The Role of a Farewell Planner

By: John Moles
Monday, April 20, 2015

How would you feel if you just got off the phone with your closest relatives and they all said that they were coming for a visit... in 3 days? Plus they were bringing their spouses and their children.

How would you feel if you had to plan an event for everyone? You would need to pick a venue, plan the food, plan the table arrangements, plan the flowers, select the music, and find people to help out.

Now imagine doing all of this while personally experiencing the loss of your mother, your father, your spouse, or worse of all...your child.

Throughout history the loss of a loved one has always been recognized as a significant family event. Family and friends would gather together to support each other, to mourn, to cry and to share stories.

It's human nature...it's the natural way to say goodbye.

But also throughout history the burden of planning this event did not fall upon the shoulders of the immediate family. Instead, there was always a close knit community of extended family members to support. Aunts, uncles, cousins and second cousins would take over the planning and coordinate the event on behalf of the immediate family.

Sadly, this supporting community of extended family has scattered in today's society. Relatives rarely live next door or even in the same state. They may have met a few times but the deep family blood bond has been weakened.

It was also common for families to have deep roots in a church community. This community would also jump into action to support the grieving family. But today fewer and fewer families are aligned with a particular church and therefore receive no support.

Yet, the family who is experiencing the loss of a loved one still has the same basic need to gather together. To mourn, to cry, to share stories, and when they are ready...to celebrate the life of the person they all loved. The problem is.... who supports them?

Traditional funeral directors are trained to take care of the deceased. But who takes care of the family?

Today, some families choose to do nothing when they experience a loss. They don't gather together to mourn, they shed tears in their private homes and they feel empty.

Other families turn to places such as a local country club to plan the event. While they may be able to host a great golf outing they are not trained in designing and conducting a memorial event.

That is why Moles Farewell Tributes has expanded our focus from caring for the deceased to caring for the entire family by planning and hosting beautiful memorial events. We have also created a new role on our team, the Farewell Planner.

A Farewell Planner is trained and empowered to support families in the natural way to say goodbye. Rather than ignoring your basic emotional needs, we believe that when you experience the loss of a loved one...

It's natural to cry.

It's natural to gather together.

It's natural to share stories.

It's natural to say goodbye...slowly

It's natural to ask for help (that's why we have Farewell Planners plus a whole support team)

Whatcom County families rely on the support and experience of Moles Farewell Tributes and our Farewell Planners. We provide unique memorial events that reflect your values, unite your family, and provide a naturally beautiful way to say goodbye.

If you experience the loss of a loved one, allow a Moles Farewell Planner and our support team to become your surrogate cousins, extended family, and supporting community. We may not be connected by blood but we are all connected by spirit and that spirit calls us to support you at this time.

A Moles Farewell Planner.....supporting the natural way to say goodbye.

 

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