Ways to Memorialize Loss in the Workplace

Tonight we had a caller on our Blog Talk Radio spot, a social worker, who was concerned about the staff at her agency. She works in a residential center and finds that her staff is dealing with patient’s deaths more often and wanted to know how she could help.

The last post was follow-up on Annette, the social worker’s concerns.  Some of them were talked about on the show and others only here.

But what if a staff wants to get together and have a special time for just themselves?  What are simple inexpensive things that staffs can do?

Some of the following ideas were things I did year-round with hospice families and with children from our community that had suffered losses.  Any of them can be modified for use in a residential setting, an office, church group, or family.

Some groups might not feel comfortable, especially in a workplace setting, creating a real “memorial” service for a co-worker or patient that has died.  They might not feel comfortable with religious music or prayers so listed below are some ideas that you can use with any group.

• Luminaries created out of white paper bags that can be purchased at party supply stores.  They can be created by using shearing scissors, markers, pastels, stickers, etc.  These are placed outside (in a circle, semi-circle, heart or star shape) and filled with something like sand or kitty litter and tea lights.  If you are concerned about open flames, you can even purchase electronic tea lights.  Luminaries are best used at dawn and after dark.  Those who are present can say a few words (or remain silent) as they light their luminary.  A song or poem can be recited after all the luminaries are lit.
• www.balloonrelease.com – great resource online for biodegradable balloons that are safer for the environment.  They also have supplies for butterfly releases.
  • Now some groups, particularly eco-friendly groups have problems with balloon releases so the butterfly releases might be a better way to go.
• Sky Laterns http://www.amazon.com/Premium-SKY-LANTERNS-Tall-Balloons/dp/B001T8G4T8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329275181&sr=8-1  I liked the idea of these when I saw them.  My mentor had a memorial service for an abuse survivor that she worked with for years where they put paper boats into the lake they spent a lot of time at.  And the boats had tea lights on them.  It was a powerful experience… my friend sent off the client’s ashes in a larger paper boat ahead of the rest.  It was lovely, especially as a southern rain storm came over the park as all the boats swarmed around.  The group sang and hugged in the pouring rain.
• www.griefwatch.com ceramic hearts, love stones, etc. starting as low as $1.00.  For whatever kind of service or get together your create for your group, grief watch’s ceramic keepsakes are always a good idea.  I’ve used these hearts and stones in different ways.  Sometimes, I’ve given participants a piece of ceramic and passed a basket around.  Each member of the group could share a few words before passing the passing the basket.  If family is there, the basket can be given to them.  If family can’t be there, a note can be sent with the basket as a keepsake of love from the group.
• www.seedsoflife.com  Special trees such as magnolias, blue spruce, enduring oaks, drift roses, etc to plant in memory of that special person.   Also have memory tree kits and engraved tree name tags.  Trees can be planted at a work site, on church grounds, or other places that hold meaning for the deceased.

Whatever your group decides to do, honor the person who has died.  Know that not everyone is going to be pleased with your decision and some will choose to do something by themselves.  Everyone grieves differently and we honor the love between people and how they decide to show that love.

Best wishes with whatever plans you create.

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