After the Funeral
Coping with grief
Organisations that may need to be contacted
Memorial options
What to say to a grieving person
Coping with grief
Grief does not end with the funeral. Death hurts. It is difficult to say goodbye. You may have an overwhelming feeling of being struck by a tidal wave, cut loose from your moorings. No one can tell you how to grieve. There is no normal time span during which healing takes place.
We have literature that you may wish to borrow, or we can mail a selection of pamphlets, on your request. These are listed on our Resources page. There are many support groups that we can refer you to, if needed.
When someone dies, a number of people and organisations need to be informed. This assists in finalising the person’s affairs and makes sure you can receive the assistance from governmental agencies you are entitled to. Many organisations require a copy of the death certificate before accounts can be closed etc. Finney Funeral Services can organise a certificate on your behalf.
A list of organisations you may need to contact is available at our office.
A memorial is a lasting acknowledgment of a life that has lived. Traditionally memorials are bronze and coloured plaques, and headstones.
A memorial can also be in the form of a tree or bush planted in a special place.
Memorials help preserve the precious memories we have of a loved one, placing that person in history, "memorialising" their existence and importance to the family tree sequence. A wealth of history is guarded by cemetery walls. The selected memorial can be a permanent record of that life for future generations.
The memorial also identifies a special 'place' where can still feel a connection or closeness to a departed loved one. For some it can even be a place of sanctuary, a place to talk to the loved one and sense their presence.
A memorial can also be seen as a final gift to the family member who has passed away. Within a cemetery there are generally different designated areas allowing specific types of memorialisation. A lawn cemetery is for the placement of a plaque only. Limited monumental, as the name suggests, is for headstones with no grave, kerbing or edging. The monumental section is limited only to the imagination and, of course, costs. Headstones, kerbing, statues, etc may be incorporated into this section.
Plaques
Plaques come in all shapes, sizes, colours and designs. Within Car Villa cemetery a plaque may be placed in a rose garden, memorial wall or columbarium, water feature garden and the lawn section. A plaque may also be placed on a headstone instead of the traditional engraved inscription.
A plaque may also mark a special place in the home garden where the loved one's ashes have been placed. If a plaque is to be placed with ashes in a memorial wall or columbarium at a cemetery, it is important that we check what size plaque is permitted, as this varies between the cemeteries.
Plaques can be as personal as you wish them to be. They can depict many aspects of a person's life in a bronze pictorial collage, or be as simple as a name, date of birth and date of death. The plaque can incorporate a coloured on black and white photo of the loved one, in ceramic or 'true to life' bronze. A plaque may have raised or bevelled edges or patterned borders. We have a full folder of emblems and decorative features that can be incorporated in the plaque. Specialised children's memorial plaques are also available.
Headstones
Granite, marble, sandstone and concrete headstones can be organised on your request, all in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes. Inscriptions may be gilded or painted, or a plaque mat be incorporated on the headstone. A photo of the deceased may be included. We can complete kerbing and the placement of granite chips and stone, and flower containers.
We also stock a selection of majolica wreaths and ceramic and bronze ornaments that can add a special touch to a grave. Our staff can organise the re-gliding of a headstone and the cleaning and maintenance of a grave. We also stock products for cleaning plaques.
We provide a free, no obligation detailed written quote for your approval on all your monumental work.
At Finney Funeral Services we are here for you twenty four hours each day, everyday, before and beyond the time of the funeral service itself. We would be pleased to answer any questions and show you samples of the many memorial options available today.
What to say to a grieving personIt is normal and natural for grieving people to feel sad, angry, numb, scared and lonely. Just “I’m sorry” can mean so much. Often the bereaved just need someone to talk to, someone who will let them share their feelings and their memories. A hug, if appropriate, can mean more than anything expressed in words.
- Understanding Funerals
- Common Questions
- Arranging a Funeral
- Funeral Options
- After the Funeral
- Planning Ahead:
My Life / My Funeral