• Sample pages
• Page 1
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  Introduction

  The last breath of someone you love has been drawn. You are grieving but action must be taken now. What do you do?

  After death has been officially declared and you take leave of your loved one’s side, you will begin caring for their remains. This is both a responsibility and an honor, albeit a terribly sad one. You loved this person in life—death does not end this love. You continue to care lovingly for your loved one and prepare to lay his or her body to rest.

  Try to be aware of your own needs during the next few days, as they will surely be compromised. Lack of sleep, poor nutrition, overwork, and the realization of your loved one’s death will take their toll. It is a shock to one’s system. Even if you were prepared for the death, when it actually happens, it is nearly impossible to anticipate the shock you will experience. Remember to ask for help. Those close to you will undoubtedly want to assist you—allow them to. This shared effort is cathartic for everyone at this most terrible time of great loss in your life.

  This book aims to provide a practical and spiritual guide to navigate the five days after your loved one’s death. The five days are not literal in actual number but they follow in order of the way things normally take place. Each day contains an outline of what can be expected as well as what needs to be done. The book closes with a practical, ancient, and scientific reflection on grief.

  NB: The particulars delineated below are those of a traditional funeral, one where the services of a funeral director and an Abrahamic faith are utilized as part of the service. When "burial" is used, cremation is also meant.
• Page 2
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  Day 1: Notify, Gather, Secure

  Notify

  Notify the Funeral Director. The funeral director is your first telephone call. No matter what final disposition of the body will take place, the body needs to be removed from wherever it is and prepared for burial.

  Notify Family and Friends. Consider utilizing Social Media. This is becoming a common tool especially because it can be done quickly. With your first few telephone calls to family members, ask for their help in contacting others; for example, the deceased’s employer, colleagues, pastor, neighbors, distant relatives, and close friends.

  Notify the Attorney and Accountant. There is quite a lot of paper work that will need to be found, filed, and distributed before and after the funeral. Your call to the attorney and accountant will put these processes into action.

  Notify the Post Office. You must arrange for the mail of the deceased to be held or forwarded.

  Gather

  You must gather two things: people and papers.

  Gather the Important People. With those closest to you, begin to think about the day and location of the funeral as well as the clothing to be worn for burial. These are the first decisions that need to be made. When you meet with the funeral director tomorrow (Day 2), these decisions will have to be finalized. This first gathering is a preparation for that meeting.
• About the Author
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  Eileen Colville has had quite a lot of experience with death. She comes from a large family with many cousins, aunts, and uncles. Her many experiences with funerals gave her the idea to start a business that provides personalized funeral programs.

  Eileen is now president of MILESTONE INSIGHT, which grew from the funeral programs business. MILESTONE INSIGHT tells the story of the person(s) celebrating a particular milestone. She started it because she saw it as the missing piece of life’s milestone events. From attending many milestone events in her own life, she noticed that there was nothing special and especially personal, set apart, about the person and their loved ones celebrating the event. This ―something‖ was the missing piece that gave birth to MILESTONE INSIGHT. Separated from the usual Program, Invitations, and Favors, Eileen’s insight was to fill in the missing piece with a person’s written life story—accomplished by in-person interviews with the person making the rite of passage, as well as their family and friends.

  This professionally written history is then showcased in a beautifully designed FOLIO along with photographs. The FOLIO, a resource worth reading and viewing, is then distributed to the guests at the event, deepening the meaning of the milestone by the sharing of the story. It becomes a family treasure worth having and keeping. It is history . . . to be cherished forever.

  You can contact Eileen Colville at mecolville@thecolvillegroup.com, or visit her on the web at www.milestoneinsight.com.

$4.95