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Bereavement Navigators have an important job when dealing with death and dying.
As professionals who help people cope with the complicated tasks that follow death, they provide support, resources, and guidance to widows/widowers.
They help people organize their affairs during the year after their loved one’s passing.
They also provide support to people in organizing affairs ahead of time to make things easier before their passing
I sat down with Bereavement Navigator’s President, Ronnie Genser, to talk about how people can prepare better for the loss of their loved ones.
While there’s no easy way to discuss these matters, it also helps to prepare yourself to make it easier for the ones left behind.
Let’s get it started.
Ronnie: Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences anyone can go through. Dealing with the aftermath of a death can be overwhelming, with a seemingly endless list of tasks to complete and decisions to make.
This is where Bereavement Navigators come in.
We understand that the days, weeks, and months after a loved one's passing can be a confusing and emotionally draining time.
Our goal is to guide widows, widowers, and adult children through this difficult period by providing them with the organizational tools, resources, and mentoring they may need.
At Bereavement Navigators, we help guide our clients through the myriad tasks and challenges that accompany the death of a loved one.
Our experienced team understands the complexities of bereavement, and we are here to help our clients navigate every step of the way.
From arranging memorial services to dealing with legal paperwork, we provide our clients with the support they need to make informed decisions about their loved ones' final arrangements.
We also understand that grief doesn't follow a set timeline, and everyone processes loss differently.
That's why we offer personalized support and mentoring to each of our clients.
Whether it's providing emotional support or helping with practical tasks, we are here to lend a helping hand whenever it's needed.
Ronnie: It means putting together all the information needed to process what they leave behind. It can be a challenge to get access to these, especially during unexpected events. And what we do helps people check all documents, assets, bank details, and other information they might need.
As an example, I was so grateful that my husband and I bought cemetery lots long before we needed them.
We were both older when we got married. We bought these lots with money left over from our wedding.
My mother had dementia, and my father was in a custodial care unit. We decided to get married in the nursing home so my parents could be there.
So we got married and had some money left over, and we decided to get plots in a cemetery. We were healthy at the time, and it was something we didn’t need.
However, we realized that the lots had raised prices over the years.
And I was thankful that we processed this before my husband passed. It made things a lot easier and less emotional for me.
That’s why it’s necessary to plan things beforehand. Like a lifeboat, it’s something you would want to have even if you don’t need it yet.
Ronnie: Death and dying are difficult topics to talk about. But it’s something that’s necessary.
Most people use special occasions when the family is over to discuss these things: Christmas, Hanukkah, or Thanksgiving.
Here they discuss how they want their deaths to be handled. The problem is, not everyone will take note and make sure that your wishes are done.
That’s why it’s necessary to talk about these things to make sure that you have everything in place.
That’s also what we help with at Bereavement Navigators.
We provide people with the right tools, resources, and mentorship to help them go through the process.
Ronnie: The best way to go about it is to address it head-on. You need to have a straight-on conversation about what you want when you pass away.
Most of the time these wishes are just verbal conversations. But what people don’t realize is that they need to have a document in place.
It’s a pretty common event when people become incapacitated.
Some patients have a stroke and suddenly it’s difficult for them to speak for themselves. Having a document or a process in place can make it easier for representatives to fulfill their wishes on their behalf.
It’s not only about the general things you need to take down. It also has to do with the details you need to address like safety deposits or bank accounts.
For example, you have an account with the bank. But if you don’t have anyone who knows the account number or the key to your safety deposit box, then it becomes useless.
Do you need to sign forms to give them access to your accounts? Do you have an emergency contact in your files?
Not to mention the hassle of dealing with government offices for the proper papers or processes.
These may seem trivial at the moment, but having the right documentation can make it tons easier.
Without these processes, organizing your assets becomes tedious and burdensome for those you leave behind.
Ronnie: The best way to go is to visit our website or give me a call.
Have a conversation with me and ask questions. And then they can decide how they want to work with me.
We can discuss medical and non-medical preferences that you can do.
We also have resources on the website that can help you prepare for end-of-life. Check it out here.
Ronnie Genser is the founder of Bereavement Navigators, an organization that helps individuals and families cope with the loss of a loved one.
She has over 25 years of experience in sales, marketing, training, and consulting. Ronnie works with healthy individuals and couples to prepare their affairs before their own deaths, helping them navigate legal and financial matters, create end-of-life plans, and put together important documents such as wills and powers of attorney.
Through her work, Ronnie aims to give individuals peace of mind knowing that their loved ones will have an easier time after their death.
She offers services to help people anticipate and prepare for the myriad tasks and decisions that may arise following a death, thereby reducing stress and anxiety during a difficult time.
The knowledge and tips she has gained from her own experiences have provided her with a unique perspective on the importance of preparation, which she now shares with others through Bereavement Navigators.
That's all for today.
Take care, keep mom safe at home and have a great day!
Winn
I am a Doctor of Physical Therapy and have been working with the 70+ age group for over a decade. I will share my knowledge and experience to give you ideas to care for your aging parents. Read more >>