Guide for Forming a Parish Bereavement Ministry - OWFPBM
All Christians are responsible for consoling those who have lost a loved one. An active parish bereavement ministry involves many parishioners performing various forms of compassionate service. In Guide for Forming a Parish Bereavement Ministry, author Robert Valle guides parish leaders toward creating a bereavement ministry that flows from the liturgical and pastoral vision of the Church’s official funeral rites. He explains the theology and key pastoral insights of the Order of Christian Funerals (OCF) and outlines the phases of bereavement ministry, from accompanying the bereaved at the time of death to the preparation of the funeral liturgies, then home visits and acts of compassion throughout the following year. This resource provides practical advice and downloadable materials for training ministers in the theological, spiritual, and human dimensions essential for effective bereavement ministry. Contributing author Paula Kosin provides scripts and other editable downloads for facilitating a grief support group.