Johnathan Thomas, MBA, PhD, D.DIV
Memorial Day is often a time when family gathers and enjoys good company, food, and fun. For many, though, Memorial Day has a different meaning. It is a day we remember our loved ones and provides an opportunity to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our nation, through their military service. Memorial Day can bring up feelings of grief and can be a hard day for those who have experienced the death of a loved one. This is a time we should reach out and comfort them and let them know that we recognize and honor the sacrifice their loved one has made.
Understanding death is not easy. When a family has experienced the death of a loved one, each member of the family is affected. How this is perceived and experienced is based on countless factors, including relationship, manner of death, age of the person, cultural beliefs, and financial constraints. Other’s grief is such a private and individual experience that it can be nearly impossible to imagine them all.
Simple things you can do to provide support are to understand that everyone grieves differently, especially children. Remember, there is no wrong way to grieve or a time limit to grief. You can be there for someone grieving by simply listening to what they have to say and being there for support.
In honor of Memorial Day, find a way to serve someone in memory of your loved one or do something your loved one enjoyed. No matter what someone is feeling, it is healthy to acknowledge those feelings.
Additionally, Devoted Healthcare recognizes Memorial Day as a day of remembrance and understands how it is particularly meaningful to our nation’s Veterans. We believe it is important to show our appreciation to those who served our country and are part of the We Honor Veterans program, a service through the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
Devoted Healthcare is here as a resource for anyone in the community that is grieving the death of a loved one, regardless of whether the family member was on our hospice program or not. These services are provided at no cost. For more information on our grief support services or the We Honor Veterans program, visit our website at www.mydevotedhealthcare.com or call 1-800-613-9199.