Do you have an aging parent in the Vancouver area? Are you at a loss for how to comfort them when one of their peers passes away? If you aren’t prepared to discuss death with an elderly parent, then you could be adding tension to an already stressful situation.
The problems aging parents face on a day-to-day basis are bad enough without the added grief of mourning the loss of a peer. Can you imagine how much stress that can add to what are supposed to be the golden years of human life?
If you’re interested in learning more about comforting a grieving parent, then spend 20 minutes listening to this episode of Forever in their Hearts where host Erik Reynolds interviews Valerie Martell, Director of Operations for Martin Brothers Funeral Services in Vancouver, about how to comfort aging parents who are grieving over the death of a peer.
Shrinking social circles are part of growing older. The Vancouver Sun* says that this is one of the factors that leads to depression among the elderly of British Columbia. This interview is a chance to learn how to counsel your aging parent who is grieving to try to avoid those more serious emotions and feelings.
Helping Parents Say Goodbye at a Peer’s Funeral
The episode opens up with a short discussion about realities faced by aging parents. As Erik points out, when a peer of an aging parent passes away, it often causes them to confront their own impending mortality.
Sometimes it might seem like an aging parent is constantly attending funerals. Valerie explains if this is okay, and offers tips for seeing senior parents through these difficult transitions.
A funeral is not an event, but a process. If you aren’t sure how to help your aging parent transition through the process when they lose a peer, then you could miss out on the opportunity to provide them with much needed comfort.
Knowing What to Look For in a Grieving Senior Parent
Next Valerie moves on to talk about some of the ways that aging parents are affected by death. During the interview she answers these and other questions:
- Why do my parents get upset when their older friends die?
- What are some ways that I can encourage healthy grieving?
- How can I help a senior parent who grieves longer than usual?
Next ask yourself these two questions: Are you prepared to comforting aging parents who are grieving? Do you know what resources are available for extended periods of grief? If you answered “No” to either or both, then it’s time to put a plan in place before the inevitable strikes.
Using Funerals to Discuss Your Senior Parent’s Wishes
When comforting aging parents who are grieving, it is natural for them to critique the funerals of their peers. As Valerie explains, this is an excellent time to segue into a discussion about their own wishes.
Funeral pre-planning is an excellent way to find out what how your aging parent wants to be remembered before it’s too late. During the interview Valerie shares a free, simple way to complete the process to secure your parent’s final wishes for their memorial or funeral service.
A funeral home is much more than a place to pay last respects to the deceased. What’s stopping you from taking advantages of services they offer to family and friends who need advice about resources for grief support, or to plan out their own last rites?
The episode wraps up with Valerie sharing some final thoughts about helping a parent cope after one of their peers has passed away.
Are You Ready to Help Your Parents Grieve the Loss of a Peer?
Do you know why it’s important for your aging parent to attend a funeral? Could you use more information about how to comfort a senior parent through the grieving process?
Listen to the entire podcast now. Then if you have questions, comments, or a personal experience that relates to the topic, share them in the space below. We look forward to hearing what you have to say.
Martin Brothers Funeral Services has more than 100 years of experience in providing thoughtful, dedicated services to families dealing with loss. If you are ready to take care of funeral pre-arrangements, have additional questions about their services, or are dealing with a loss, please contact them at their Vancouver office.
Martin Brothers Funeral Services
Vancouver: Funeral Services Centre
3398 Dunbar Street
Vancouver, BC Canada V6S 2C1
Telephone Number: 778.330.7799
Toll Free Number: 1.800.382.2901
Fax Number: 778.330.7633
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MartinBrothersFuneralChapelsBcLtd
Twitter: https://twitter.com/martinbrothers1
http://www.vancouversun.com/health/seniors/Seniors+depression+shrinking+island/9678612/story.html
