Grief & Healing Resources
Here at Cartmell-Davis we are able to put you in touch with resources that will help you navigate this process. Loss is one of the most challenging experiences of our lives and we are here to help you with that long after the service is over. We invite anyone in Plymouth and surrounding communities to make use of the resources on this page.
GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences.
Web Healing offers grief discussion boards where you can talk with others who are grieving or browse recommended books on grief.
Whether your family has had a child die (at any age, from any cause), or you are helping those who have gone through this life-altering experience, The Compassionate Friends exists to provide friendship, understanding, and hope to those going through the grieving process as a parent.
With AARP you’ll find articles, discussions, and helpful information on dealing with end-of-life care, the challenges faced by caregivers, and how to deal with grief after a loss.
At Hope Floats our bereavement services are for adults, children and their families. Our approach is to support people in a safe environment, where they are able to share and process their grief with others facing similar losses.
Children & Grief
When a loved one dies, it can be difficult to know how to help kids cope with the loss, particularly as you work through your own grief. By being open and honest, encouraging communication, and sharing your own feelings, you and your children can cope with painful times and begin your healing journey together.
The following links provide more detailed information on topics related to helping children and teens cope with loss.
When Families Grieve™
This guide was created by Sesame Workshop, the educational organization behind Sesame Street. It explores children’s understanding of death and offers information about communicating, ideas for coping together, and ways to move forward with your children after a loss.
Helpful Children's Books
This list from Allina Health recommends children’s books that deal with death and grief. There are suggestions for children of all ages, from preschool to age 12. They also have books for different types of losses, such as the loss of a parent, sibling, grandparent, friend, or pet. With these books, you can start a meaningful conversation with your child and help them understand their feelings.
More Advice
Here you’ll find a Huffington Post article by Judith Acosta containing advice and guidance from her book Verbal First Aid, which counsels parents on ways to help kids heal from fear and pain in a variety of situations, including the death of a loved one. If you find the advice in the article helpful, you may want to read her book for even more insight.
Funeral Planning
Planning a funeral is one of the most thoughtful things you can do for your family. However, grief is a confusing and difficult time, and planning a funeral in the midst of these emotions can be overwhelming. Please look over our Funeral Guide so that you may prepare and gather information on your loved one, as well as understand the options available in planning the services.
Our guide will also assist you with steps to take at the time of death to information on Social Security and Veteran benefits.
Legal Information
Legal Advice
After a death, there are many legal details to work out. While it is not necessary to work with a lawyer, it is strongly recommended. The time following a death of a loved one is extremely emotional, and even the closest family may have disagreements. To ensure lasting peace in the family, it is a good idea to let a lawyer figure things out.
Before getting in touch with a lawyer, there are several important documents that you need to gather. Those include:
- Any wills that you are aware of.
- Deeds
- Bank Statements
- Insurance Policies
- Vehicle and Boat titles
- Tax Documents
Bank Accounts
Procedures for bank accounts following death vary regionally. In some areas, bank accounts are automatically frozen after a death. To avoid any complications, the bank should be notified immediately. The bank employees will guide you through the next steps from there.
It’s recommended that a joint account stay open for at least six months to allow you to deposit any cheques that are made out to the deceased. To take a name off a joint bank account, banks require a certified copy of a death certificate.
If the deceased had a safety deposit box in a bank, the contents may be sealed after death and a certified copy of a death certificate will be required to gain access to the contents.
Veterans Information
Looking for more information on Veterans? The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has the answers you are looking for. From Headstones, Markers & Medallions, to Burial Allowance & even forms, you can find this resourceful information on their website at: www.va.gov
FAQ'S
It is common to have questions about the funeral process. This section contains some commonly asked questions, to help make this process easier for you. If additional questions arise, please feel free to contact us directly at the funeral home.
Embalming is a process used to temporarily preserve a loved one’s body. The process of embalming involves using preservative chemicals as well as cosmetics to make them look as they were when they were alive. It also can be used in instances of visible illness or damage to return a loved one to their normal appearance for a viewing.
Embalming is not required by law, but we highly recommend it if you want a viewing. Though it is possible to have a viewing without embalming, certain conditions have to be met. If you want to know more, feel free to give us a call.
You should use your judgment to determine whether your child is old enough to comprehend death and whether attending the funeral will be meaningful to them. It’s important for children to be allowed to express their grief and share in this important ritual. If you bring young children, explain beforehand what they will see and experience, and make sure that they know the importance of being on their best behavior. If your child becomes cranky or noisy, remove them promptly to avoid disturbing those who are mourning.
Absolutely! Our staff has years of experience getting to know families and incorporating their loved ones’ hobbies, activities, interests, and unique requests into meaningful and memorable services. Don’t hesitate to make a request because you think it might be too “out there” — we’re honored to work with you to create a service that truly reflects and celebrates your loved one’s individual life journey.
Definitely! In fact, we encourage you to do so. Choosing cremation only indicates how you’d like to care for your loved one after the service and doesn’t exclude you from celebrating and honoring their life in any way. Whether you’d like to have a visitation beforehand, arrange a funeral service before cremation, or wait and hold the service after the cremation, we’re happy to help you design a meaningful service to accompany the cremation.
That depends. If it is your private property, there are no restrictions. If it is someone else’s private property, you must have their consent, and it’s a good idea to get it in writing. If it’s public land such as a park, contact your local government or the agency in charge of that space to see what their policies are. In general, if you’re not sure, just scatter them in a respectful way in a place where you are sure they won’t be disruptive to others.
A columbarium is a place for the interment of urns containing cremated remains. They’re often located in mausoleums, chapels, or memorial gardens, and contain numerous small compartments, or niches, designed to hold urns.
