Compassionate grief and bereavement care before, at the time of death, and in the months that follow can and, in many cases, should include serious consideration of multiple funerals. Grief professionals and volunteers repeatedly assert one size doesn’t fit all about grief and bereavement. Grief processes are individual and can vary widely between siblings, spouses, and families.

Further, families and friends are now spread around the globe. For all to gather at the same place, same time funeral is a stretch for many. Why is it that a one time or one form of funeral has become commonplace and the norm? The continuing presence of an absence is a known grieving experience for many bereft persons. The presence of an absence can occur days or years after an event or onset. Awareness of the ambiguity of absence and presence could lead to the desire for another funeral. Something or somebody may be missed more later than sooner. To be sure, there are differences between community rituals and personal moments of remembrance and grief.

One of the points of this session is that grief and bereavement careers may overlook or may minimize simple but possibly profound small, private funerals in comparison to well-planned community funerals. Funerals are funerals whenever they occur.

Learning Objectives:

• Name and discuss situations where multiple funerals could be healing; 
• Discuss similarities and differences in funerals, memorials, and rituals; 
• Plan for influences from session for their practices