Think back to the major life events that have occurred in your family. Weddings, the birth of a child, anniversaries, and even the purchase of a new home were probably marked by some kind of a gathering – maybe in a home, restaurant, or other venue. Your loved ones came together, connected, talked, and reflected on the life change.

After a death occurs, this gathering isn’t simply a tradition or a nice idea – it is critically important to your grieving process.

When your loved one dies, the funeral and the events following it don’t belong to the deceased as much as they belong to you and the others who were left behind. As you begin to move from the moment of your friend or family member’s death to the onset of grief, you will face a process experts call the Acute Loss Period. We are passionate about educating you and the other families we work with about the seven phases of this period, because maximizing the benefits from each of these stages will encourage growth and healing.

This graphic illustrates the total process. The outer rim portrays the emotional, relational, and spiritual needs you will need to address. The inner circle demonstrates the seven phases of the Acute Loss Period that align with those needs.

After a death occurs, our compassionate and experienced staff will be right by your side, helping you process the news of your loved one’s death, figuring out what the next steps are, and helping you tell others about their farewell. Our goal is to create a healthy grief experience for you and your family.

When you come together with others at a funeral, you – and they – will then have the unique opportunity to move through the final four of those steps: gathering, connecting, reflecting, and celebrating. And when you choose a permanent memorial at Cypress Lawn, our beautiful grounds become a place where you can find comfort for years to come.

You might be thinking that when facing this most difficult moment, the last thing you want to do is plan a highly personalized funeral. Don’t try to do this alone. Gather trusted friends, neighbors, or extended family members who can help you plan. We will also be there to walk you through every step of the funeral planning process, making sure you and your family make the most of the experience to further your journey towards healing. We will help you infuse every moment of the funeral with elements of your loved one’s culture, faith, hobbies, and accomplishments.

We can help you say goodbye to your loved one in a way that celebrates who they were and moves your family along the path of healing. If you have questions about the Acute Loss Period, and how it can impact your grief journey, we hope you will reach out to us at Cypress Lawn for more information.