Because He Cares

He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done Proverbs 19:17
 
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Helpful Information in Time of Grief
What to Write in a Sympathy Card - Sympathy Cards - Trees for a Change - Compassionate Friends - Memorial Society - Funeral Guidelines - Funeral Options - Funeral Arrangements - Memorial Park Cemetary in Prince George - Funeral Costs & Insurance Benefits - Ministry Assistance with Funeral Costs in BC - BC Funeral Association - Monuments, Cemetary Markers, Caskets - Coroners Role
48 End of Life Care Costs and Statistics for Families and Caregivers
End of life care costs and statistics show a high cost of care in the last few months of life. The cost of hospital care, palliative care, and hospice care are part of end-of-life costs for most people. In the last month of life, hospital costs can add up to $32,379 and hospice care up to $17,845. In addition to medical care, the average funeral cost ranges from $750 for a cremation with no service to $15,500 for a burial with a service.

Preparing for the end of life for a loved one is an emotional, turbulent time. From preparing funeral arrangements and legacy care to the uncertainty that comes with the end of life, to the specifics of end-of-life planning for veterans, this can be a stressful time for all involved — whether you’re family, a friend, or a caregiver.

What can make an uncertain time even more difficult is not knowing the cost of certain parts of end-of-life care. Without a solid life insurance plan, some families may be left in the dark when it comes to saving for hospice care, hospital costs, burial and interment expenses, and other parts of end-of-life care.

We’ve got you covered with recent statistics on end-of-life care costs, covering all the details you’ll need when planning how much to save for your loved one. Rest assured that though this may be a high-stress time, you can breathe easier by having a term life insurance plan in place that can help ease the financial stress.

Table of Contents
End-of-Life Healthcare Statistics
Hospital Care Costs
Palliative Care Costs
Hospice Care Costs
Funeral and Burial Costs
PLEASE VIEW COMPLETE DETAILS ON WEBSITE


Grief is a feeling of sadness as a result of any major loss. It is often associated with suffering, and is also considered a necessary part of healing. When an event causes a crisis in the life of an individual, a radical change is made in the situation established until then. Grief also has the meaning of ‘definitive loss’ of an object that an individual can hold.
Table of Contents
Defining Grief
Stages of Grief
Video: 5 Stages of Grief Explained
Causes
Risk Factors
Types of Grief
Physical Symptoms
Mental Symptoms
Expressions of Grief
Grief and Addiction
PLEASE VIEW COMPLETE DETAILS ON WEBSITE


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What to Write in a Sympathy Card

Welcome to Sympathy Message Ideas.com. If you’re having difficulty finding the words for a heartfelt or meaningful message to write in your sympathy card then you’ve come to the right place
SYMPATHY MESSAGE IDEAS


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Alive Alone is an organization for the education and charitable purposes to benefit bereaved parents, whose only child or all children are deceased, by providing a self-help network and publications to promote communication and healing, to assist in resolving their grief, and a means to reinvest their lives for a positive future.

 
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Baby Steps is named after the baby steps that form the long and difficult road to recovery from the loss of a child. No parent, relative or friend is immune from the pain that results from the loss of a young loved one.

 

BOOK
What to Do when the Police Leave
A Guide to the First Days of Traumatic Loss


SIDS

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
and Other Infant Death

logo Healing Hearts Banner
Click on Above

Holding Out the Light of Hope And the Hand
of Friendship to Grieving Parents & Their Family

Books
Dealing with Grief
Theirs & Ours

Six Steps  to Managing Loss
A Catholic Guide Through Grief

Prince George Hospice Society


When someone you care about loses someone in their life, it’s natural to want to reach out and lessen their suffering in some way.
Every day at Flowers Across Sydney we send sympathy flowers for people trying to do exactly this.
During this time, people are often struggling with grief. Flowers, along with a carefully written message of sympathy, can help to let them know that they’re not alone in their grief and that someone else is thinking of them.
That said, we’re all aware of how sensitive people are at this time and the last thing you want to do is cause further pain through some poorly worded message.
Which is why writing sympathy messages or condolence cards is often anxiety provoking; even in experienced writers.
Bruce Feiler, an author and writer with 30 years of experience, once stared at a condolence card for two hours unsure of what to write. So if professionals have trouble with this, then what hope do the rest of us have?
This guide is going to walk you through the process of writing a sympathy message without anxiety. You’ll learn a simple, step-by-step system that you can follow, along with plenty of examples that you can model for your own message.
SYDNEY AUSTRALIA

PLEASE SEE WEBSITE FOR COMPLETE DETAILS

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Helpful Guidelines In A Death

Experiencing the death of a loved one in the family poses many confusing questions. Particularly working out all the details and arrangements.  It is my hope that these guidelines will assist in helping you to make informed decisions. 

Please note that most contact information is written for my community but the subject material is helpful for all those who need assistance working out the details of all that needs to be done.

Immediate Things To Be Done
Notify one or more family members who could come immediately to assist.
If no immediate family is available, notify a close friend.

Notify: Pastor/Priest/Religious Leader.

Notify: other family members, by phone or letter if anyone is a long distance away.
Note: Many airlines offer compassionate travel assistance at much lower fares.

Notify: Friends, school and work related Manager/Supervisor or colleagues.

Please keep a list of all names, from those who sent condolences, flowers, etc.. so a thank you card can be sent later.

Viewing of your loved one:

During the hours of 8:00am-8:00pm. the "Quick Response Worker" at Prince George Regional Hospital can assist in the viewing. Phone the Quick Response pager at 250-561-6339. or phone PGRH switchboard at 250-565-2000 and ask to be connected to the Quick Response person on call.
Option: To wait until funeral home has picked up your loved one and arrange for
viewing at the funeral home.
Arrange hospitality for visiting relatives and friends. Extra items may be needed, such as; chairs, bedding, dishes, transportation etc..
Coordinate the need for food as well as child care, as needed in the next few days.
Please have someone as soon as possible, keep notes of ALL of the many things that need to be done, both in the short and long term.
Writing each of these things down will be very helpful in organizing short term arrangements. But also for information later on. Family will really benefit to focus on some of the long term details that have to be taken care of, such as: estate, life insurance, vehicle insurance, banking details etc....

Words of Condolences
Words of Condolences message samples for expressing words of sympathy to someone after the loss of a loved one. Use these condolence examples to help you write your condolences in cards or letters of sympathy.

Please view this website; www.obituarieshelp.org/words_of_condolences_hub.html


What to Write in a Sympathy Card
Welcome to Sympathy Message Ideas.com. If you’re having difficulty finding the words for a heartfelt or meaningful message to write in your sympathy card then you’ve come to the right place
SYMPATHY MESSAGE IDEAS



Sympathy Message Ideas & Quotes


Writing a sympathy message can be very difficult because many of us are afraid of saying the wrong thing. The truth is that a personal note letting someone know you care will mean a lot, even if you're not quite sure what to say. Just keep in mind:
It is always a good idea to share a memory of the deceased if you knew them personally.
Be careful about saying things like "I know how you feel" or "It was for the best."
If you offer help, be specific about what you can do, like bringing food or running errands.
Comfort the hearts of the grieving by dedicating a tree that lives on forever.
Sending this personalized and thoughtful gift along with your sympathy message is a meaningful way to show you care. Unlike sympathy flowers that die in about a week, a memorial tree grows and thrives in the name of the deceased- a tree planted in someone's memory is a living tribute. Our memorial tree dedications allow families to see tree photos and locations, and are less expensive than flowers with prices ranging from $15-$75. And, we make it easy to add your chosen condolences messages or sympathy quotes to the gift. Check out our options by visiting
Trees for a Change website

Decide on funeral home

Options:

Prince George BC

Assman’s Funeral Chapel Ph. 564-4431

Lakewood Funeral Home Ph. 562-5915

Prince George Funeral Home Ph. 564-3880

Call the Funeral Home to make an appointment.

Note: Deciding on a funeral home does NOT need to be done the first day after death. A better time is, when other family members have arrived to make a more informed decision. Each of the funeral homes have some very dedicated staff who can assist you in many helpful ways. Please take someone along to the funeral home appointment - an individual who can keep notes. The funeral director will give some information which the family must do.

Funeral Costs & Insurance Benefits

 

Notify Lawyer and /or

In many cases all or part of the funeral expenses may be paid by one of the following:

Insurance Policies - please check for coverage on insurance policies.

ICBC motor vehicle policy; work related policies, credit union, trade union, fraternal and/or military organization.

Check the policies for Funeral expenses as well as long term survival benefits.

Canada Pension Plan - Death Benefit
Funeral home will also assist in filling out Canada Pension Plan forms.

Funeral home will also assist in filling out Canada Pension Plan forms.

Help for Those Dealing with a Sudden Death
The death of a family member or close friend may be one of the most painful events in a person’s life. When the death occurs unexpectedly, whether it is the result of homicide or some other traumatic event, the degree of distress is compounded.
The sudden loss of a loved one may have wide-ranging consequences—not only intense emotional effects but also physical symptoms and financial hardship. The practical, legal, and financial matters that need to be sorted out after the death of a loved one can be overwhelming at a time when one is least equipped to deal with them. When a person dies suddenly or unexpectedly, these matters may be complex. If you are dealing with the sudden death of a loved one or if you know someone who is, help is available.
If you are dealing with a sudden death and require assistance or support, or if you just want to talk to someone, call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808.

SEE HERE for much more detail

Workers Compensation - Death Benefits


Crime Victim Assistance Act (CVAA) - See Here

Funeral Arrangement

Funeral home directors can assist with details for most of the items below.

Make complete list of family and friends who will be invited.

Decide on type of funeral - Burial or Cremation.

Decide on time and place where service will be held - Church or Funeral Home Chapel.

Who will lead the service.

Type of service, music, songs,  select readings, special message by family or friends.

Clothing for your loved one.

Special items may be placed in the coffin: a special poem, farewells........

Pall Bearers - select and notify them - please keep in mind those who are unable to do this due to health or age reasons.

Flowers and/or donations to a special cause.

Funeral home can assist with special designated envelopes.

Prepare memorial bulletin.

Funeral home can assist in preparation and printing.

Newspaper announcement. Name, Date of Birth, Picture, Family Relations, Time and Place of Service, Person who is Officiating.

Other items to include: education, degrees, memberships held, military services, outstanding work, list of survivors in immediate family, etc..

After service reception, time and place.

Death Certificates are available from Funeral Home Director. Please ask for several copies.

The Funeral Service Association of BC has some helpful information on their website


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Coroners Role
Autopsy-Post Mortem Examination

An autopsy is a medical examination of the body after death has occurred. The autopsy is performed at the hospital by a specialist in the medical field of pathology, in an effort to determine the exact cause of death. There are times when the attending physician may request the autopsy, or the family themselves may request one.

In some circumstances, a coroner may be required to investigate the death, and if required, he/she has the authority to order an autopsy without the consent of the next-of-kin.
Medical Cause of Death

The physician provides the funeral director with a completed "Physicians Medical Certification of Death", which in turn must be submitted to the local division registrar before the death can be officially registered and a burial permit issued. The Vital Statistics Act, however, prohibits the funeral director or anyone else to breach the confidentiality of this document. Therefore, the immediate and antecedent causes of death cannot be divulged to anyone. Family members may wish to know the exact cause of death of the deceased. This information and all autopsy results are made available to immediate family members trough the attending physician or the coroner only. It is necessary then, for family members to make a follow-up appointment with the doctor or coroner to obtain this information. Please allow about six weeks for the full autopsy report to be available.

For a FULL report on the role of the Coroner please go to: Coroner Role

Prince George Hospice Society

Compassionate Friends
Supporting Family When A Child Dies

The Compassionate Friends is an international, voluntary, self-help organization
offering friendship, understanding, grief education and hope for the future to families who have suffered the death of a child of any age, from any cause.
Our purpose is to aid in the positive reconciliation of grief and foster the physical and emotional health of bereaved parents and their surviving children and to help others be supportive. And share the pain as well as the joy,

share the anger as well as the peace,

share the faith as well as the doubts,

and help each other to grieve as well as to grow

We need not walk alone - we are the compassionate friends

The Compassionate Friends of Canada. Inc.
#4 – 69 Campbell Crescent SE
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1B 1J7
Toll Free: 1 866 823 0141
email:
nationaloffice@tcfcanada.net

web site: www.TCFCanada.net

Compassionate Friends provides Some of the GREATEST SERVICES EVER
From my personal Experience as a RCMP Victim Service Volunteer
As well my Sister started the chapter in Abbotsford of Compassionate Friends
She experienced the death of two of her children and died herself in 1992
"THANK YOU AUDREY"

More Links

No One Told Me About Vacations

Men and Grief

The Bereaved Parent

Recommendations for a Grieving Family System

Anger and the Grieving Process

How it all began

The Compassionate Friends was founded in Coventry, England in 1969, following the deaths of two young boys, Billy Henderson and Kenneth Lawley, the previous spring. Billy and Kenneth had died just three days apart in the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital where Rev. Simon Stephens was Assistant to the Chaplain. Simon mentioned Billy's death to Iris and Joe Lawley, and the Lawleys decided to send flowers to Billy's funeral. They signed the card simply, "Kenneth's parents," realizing that the Hendersons would know who they were.

Bill and Joan Henderson then invited the Lawleys over for tea, and an immediate bond was formed as the two couples spoke freely about their boys, sharing their memories and the dreams that had died with Billy and Kenneth. They continued to get together regularly, and young Rev. Stephens, then only 23, encouraged them to invite other newly bereaved parents to join them. In 1969 another grieving mother accepted their invitation to meet with Simon and the two couples. They decided to organize as a self-help group and actively begin reaching out to newly bereaved parents in their community. Because the word "compassionate" kept coming up, this new organization was called "The Society of the Compassionate Friends."

Simon became a chaplain in the British Royal Navy in the 70's. He was met by bereaved parents at ports around the world, and he helped them to develop their own chapters. TCF had become well-known through U.K. and U.S.A. editions of such magazines as Time and Good Housekeeping. Paula and Arnold Shamres of Florida read Simon's interview in Time Magazine and invited him to visit them in Florida and speak to bereaved parents there. He did, and the Shamres subsequently founded the first U.S. chapter in 1972. Word of the organization spread rapidly through interest generated by the Phil Donahue Show and the columns of Dear Abby and Ann Landers.

The Compassionate Friends was incorporated in the United States as a non-profit organization in 1978.

In 1989 The Compassionate Friends of Great Britain dedicated a plaque commemorating the founding of the organization, at the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital where TCF had begun. The plaque was unveiled by their patron, Countess Mountbatten, herself a bereaved parent.

Then in November, 1994 Queen Elizabeth presented Iris Lawley with a medal, The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, in recognition of her work on behalf of TCF.

There are now Compassionate Friends chapters in every state in the United States—almost 600 altogether—and hundreds of chapters in Canada, Great Britain and other countries throughout the world. In the United States, chapters are open to all bereaved siblings and other family members who are grieving the death of a child of any age, from any cause

 

 
 

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