Supporting Families Through Grief: The Role of a Crematory Nonprofit
Losing a loved one is traumatic. Whether it’s expected or not, the pain that follows can change who you are as a person. Families are often left looking for solace and support. That’s where nonprofit crematories like Northern Pyre can step in. In addition to providing a practical service, we strive to be a compassionate and empathetic presence for the families we serve. Learn more about the guidance and support we provide throughout your journey.
Support Through the Planning Process
Whether you’ve chosen Northern Pyre or your loved one selected us prior to their passing, we deeply respect the trust you’ve placed in us. One of the reasons we’re careful about how many families we work with each year is our commitment to honoring their loss. We never want to treat our work like a routine procedure - it’s your chance to say goodbye to your loved one, and the memories will stay with you for a lifetime. Our goal is never to lose sight of that.
We’ll work closely with you throughout the process to incorporate your or your loved one’s wishes to the extent that you prefer. While many people want to have input on every step of the process and the ceremony, others want a more hands-off approach that doesn’t require further mental or emotional energy. There are no right or wrong answers here; everyone reacts differently to grief and loss, and there is space for all of your feelings here. There’s no one right way to grieve or one correct set of feelings to display.
Memorialization Opportunities
When you choose open air cremation, the ashes can play a role in how you memorialize your lost loved one. There are many ways to respect the loss you’ve endured. Some prefer the simplicity of an urn that will remind them of their loved one every time they look at it. Others opt for something they can keep with them at all times, such as a ring or necklace. Artists can transform ashes into beautiful glass orbs or sculptures. Some families prefer to scatter the ashes at a place meaningful to the deceased, making it a family tradition to return there each year and reminisce. After learning more about what you hope to do with your loved one’s remains, we’ll help you explore your options.
Adolescent and Child Support Assistance
Children and adolescents that lose someone close to them have unique needs. They may not have the language or understanding needed to verbalize their questions and needs. This is especially true when they lose someone very close to them, such as a parent or sibling. By providing age-appropriate resources, we hope to support caretakers as they help children with their grief.
We’ll also consider the needs of children who may attend cremation services by ensuring that we utilize age-appropriate language and explanations.
Connecting Bereaved Loved Ones With Services
Your connection to Northern Pyre doesn’t end after the cremation of your loved one. We know that this is just the first step in your recovery from loss. If you’re in need of additional support after your Northern Pyre ceremony, we can help you look for resources close to you. Whether your needs would be best met by grief support groups, counseling, grief workshops, or remote support options, we want you to have the resources you need to move forward. Some of the resources we may recommend focus on specific types of grief, such as the grief experienced by widows and widowers, by parents who lose children, or by children who lose parents.
At Northern Pyre, we have a deep respect for the grief of the families we serve. While loss is inevitable, you should not have to work through it alone. We recognize that when we cross paths with families, it may be during one of the hardest experiences they’ll ever face. Through grief, you can come to appreciate your time with your loved one – and life – on a deeper level.
