To understand how to best help families, the
grieving process and remedies suggested by
psychologists are worth exploring.
The Grieving Process and Its Antidote
Grief is a complex journey that varies for each
individual.
Psychologists
identify
stages
of
grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and
acceptance. Mr. Lemonaco explains, “Grief is
unique and requires a solution that adapts to each
individual.”
Psychologist
Marie-Frédérique
Bacqué
emphasizes, “Grieving is a continuous process.
Families need support that adapts to their changing
emotional needs. The first moments of loss are
marked by the tension between the last vivid
memories of the deceased and the reality of their
death. Bereaved individuals need to trust their
community to help them navigate through their
complex emotions.”
Remembrance plays a vital role in early grieving,
acting as an antidote to the initial shock and
denial. Personalized tribute ceremonies and
digital memorials provide significant psychological
benefits, helping families process their loss and
find meaning in grief. Dr. Bacqué emphasizes,
"Creating a space for remembrance allows
individuals to reflect, share stories, and celebrate
the life of their loved one."
However, these activities are often neglected due
to administrative tasks families face after a loss,
impacting their psychological state. Remembrance
activities, such as storytelling and creating digital
memorials, help acknowledge loss, an essential
step in healing. "The act of remembering and
honouring a loved one can transform grief into a
journey of restoration, where the focus shifts from
loss to celebrating life," Bacqué noted.
Traditional Solutions
Families often hire biographers to create a
memoir for solace in remembrance. While these
biographies offer detailed portrayals of a loved
one’s life, the process is time-consuming and
costly. Experts agree that while hiring a biographer
can be a wonderful way to honour someone's life,
it’s not accessible to everyone due to high costs.
Grief Counselling provides essential emotional
support but is typically limited in duration, often ending
after a few sessions. " Grief counselling is invaluable
but typically limited in duration. While group support
is recommended for normal grief, these sessions are
often insufficient for those experiencing complicated
grief," Mrs. Bacqué explains.
New Technologies
Emerging
technologies
offer
promising
new avenues for grief support, especially in
remembrance. AI-driven solutions personalize
support and simplify remembering a loved one,
making it more accessible and meaningful.
An innovator in this field, Willow’s technology
simplifies remembrance with conversational AI.
Through personalized questions, Willow collects
testimonials from family members and friends
to create lasting E-memoirs. This personalized
interaction supports the grieving process and
preserves memories for future generations.
Willow helps funeral homes and families create
deeply personal tribute ceremonies that reflect the
unique life of their loved one. This provides comfort
and fosters unity among family members.
Willow's family tree feature creates a genealogical
record for the family, connecting digital memorials
to form a lasting legacy. This ongoing aid helps
families find solace long after the funeral. Mrs.
Bacqué emphasizes, "Willow's approach to digital
memorials offers a therapeutic way for families to
keep the memory of their loved ones alive, crucial
for long-term emotional well-being."
Conclusion
Digital technologies offer a new, personalized approach
with long-term value. By integrating these solutions,
funeral homes can enhance their services, offering
continuous support to grieving families. Sonja Dietl
from Bestattung Wien emphasizes, “As Austria's largest
funeral company, we place great importance on offering
the broadest possible product portfolio: from mourning
jewellery to digital solutions we provide customers with
support that is in line with social developments”. This
improves the emotional well-being of the bereaved and
positions funeral homes as compassionate providers
dedicated to holistic care.
The journey of grief is long and complex, but
innovative tools like Willow provide the support
needed to recover and remember loved ones
meaningfully. This approach honours the deceased
and supports the living, fostering a compassionate
community through grief.
THANOS MAGAZINE | No. 107 – AUTUMN 2024
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