What is the value of having a funeral?

The ceremonies we observe when a loved one dies accomplish several important purposes, not only for the immediate family but for the entire community of friends and associates. The following sections have been written for Selected Independent Funeral Homes by Dr. Bill Hoy to help provide a greater understanding of the significant role funeral ceremonies play in our lives.

Use the table of contents at the right to select Dr. Hoy's topics
on the value of having a funeral.

William G. Hoy, DMin, FT is the director of Grief Connect: The Center for Bereavement Education and has counseled with people in grief for more than 25 years. He presents more than 70 continuing education workshops across North America each year to school counselors, hospice nurses, funeral service professionals and pastors. His books, Guiding People Through Grief: How to Start and Lead Bereavement Support Groups and Road to Emmaus: Pastoral Care with the Dying and Bereaved are both now in their third printing. His two newest books, to be released in 2010, are Taking Steps on Your Journey Through Grief and Called to Care: Navigating a Life of Care for Others.