Reverend Shirley L. Geer
Home

About Hypnosis

Meet Shirley Geer

Counseling and Weddings

Contact Shirley

Articles by Rev. Geer

Funeral Services
Memorial Services
Grief Counseling


Dealing with Death:

When a member of the family dies, a great deal of stress and tension can be experienced by family members, as they cope with the loss of a loved one and deal with the details of a funeral or memorial service and burial.

Dealing with the loss of a loved one ususally happens in stages: denial, anger, bargaining with God, grieving, and acceptance. These stages are not usually clearly delineated and blend into one another. A funeral can be an important element in the starting of grief-work for family members.

If you are dealing with the loss of a loved one, Rev. Geer can help you create a dignified and meaningful tribute to your loved one, whether you prefer a simple ceremony at graveside or a more elaborate ceremony elsewhere, involving several family members.

Services:

The purpose of a funeral or memorial service is to celebrate the life of the deceased and to provide love and assistance to the bereaved. The service is the perfect place for sympathetic friends to express their love to the family members in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, and for family members to express their grief as well as their love and support for each other.

A funeral (with the body) or a memorial service (without the body) is a formalized structure, through which we can safely express our deepest human sorrows and receive comfort from the community of family and friends. A funeral is also a worship service, where we acknowledge our connection to God, offer thanksgiving for the life and love of the deceased, and have quiet time to be still and know that God is the one power in the universe.

The traditional procedure is to have a viewing and visitation with family members, then the funeral service in a chapel, then the committal service at graveside. However, the modern trend is to have the burial first, with just immediate family members in attendance, then a more public memorial service in a chapel, and finally, visitation with family members.

A third option is just a funeral service at graveside. Each way is appropriate, depending on the wishes of the family. A memorial service can also occur at a later date, when all family members have had time to arrive or can be held at a previously planned family event, like an annual family gathering.

Grief Counseling:

Working one's way through grief can be a trying and difficult process. If you desire, Rev. Geer can help you with the tumultous grief stages through private counseling sessions in her office.

Fees:

Funeral or Memorial Service: $75.00
Grief Counseling: $50 per hour.


Copyright © 1997-2005 Shirley L. Geer
       407 Tulip Terrace, Fairhope, AL 36532              Email Us               251-990-4061       This is Shirley's home-office phone.
                     Please call M-F, between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. No calls after 9:00 p.m. or on weekends, please.