Writing even for those who have passed on

I chanced on this story about a funeral director, Jeffrey, whose intention is to help people grieve properly.

“Like many other Asian families, I was raised in a way where we don’t really express our love for each other through words, but rather through our actions. And I realised that was how it was like for the family members of my clients as well.”

“While most people find it difficult to express their love verbally, they are more compelled to do so when their loved ones pass away. To help these families through their grieving process, I encourage them to pen down their last messages to their loved ones.”

Jeffrey then reads out their letters on the last day of the wake to help them say their final goodbyes.

When I read about it, I felt so moved that he saw so much meaning in his work. Having gone through the funeral process for my mum, I realised how difficult a profession it was. It requires them to be comfortable with others’ grief and tears and sensitive to the needs of the grieving families.

This story about Jeffrey also gave me the idea that Letters for Life can also be for people who did not have a chance to express themselves fully to their loved ones before they passed on.

Who in your life had passed on before you were able to fully express your love and gratitude to them?

Photo from Our Grandfather Story