Helping the Bereaved

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

by Dr. Joseph Jolly

Some Practical Things to Do

If you want to really help the bereaved, there are many practical things you can do. However, you need to keep in mind that some people never ask for help because they do not want to be a burden or impose on anyone. In most cases, you might have to take the initiative to offer your help.

We can help those who are grieving through our financial gifts and donations. It costs a lot of money for people to attend a funeral especially if they live outside the community. Native people are sensitive to help those who are grieving with finances. In one Native community when I did a funeral service, the people took a collection to help the bereaved family. They passed a hat around after the service and the money that came in was used to cover some of the funeral costs. Some of the Indian Bands in the remote northern communities will charter a plane for their people to attend a funeral in another nearby reserve.

Another practical way to help those who are grieving is to be hospitable. Several years, ago, I went tot a funeral service in Weagamow Lake, Ontario, for the late Albert Tait. Albert was a well-known Indian preacher, and many people from different parts of Canada attended his funeral. What impressed me the most during the two days, I was there was the hospitality of the people. They provided free meals for all the people from outside the community who came to the funeral. This was an organized community effort and the people donated food and opened their homes to make sure that meals and accommodations were taken care of for everyone.

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