03 455 2128
Let us worry about the details
October 14, 2019
Giving you time to focus on family
When someone we love dies, especially if they have been ill for a long time, we are often exhausted, shocked and drained. Grief can surprise us with its strength, and we can be overwhelmed by it’s physical nature. Trying to plan and organise details that we would normally find easy can feel like an impossible burden. Grief can make us forgetful and confused.
This is where Gillions come in.
When you choose the Gillions team to care for your loved one’s arrangements, it means you are choosing experience, commitment and professionalism and those things really count. It also means that we can look after all the arrangements for you so that you can focus on spending precious time with your family in the days before the funeral.
What do we actually do?
We organise the transfer and care of your loved one, meet with you as often as you need us to, offer viewing if required, arrange all the medical documentation and cremation or burial arrangements, the casket selection, contact a celebrant and musician if required, design and print service sheets, scan and digitise photos, arrange music and photo tributes, organise catering, flowers, newspaper notices, the structure of the service, registering the death, bereavement support, manage genealogy enquiries and organise monumental work.
Writing down my wishes
How Victorians Mourned
Because pets can't speak their grief often manifests in behavioural changes
Making the decision to euthanise a pet is never easy
We’re often asked whether children should be involved after a family member's death, and if so, how? While you know your children best, our general advice is to include them as much as possible. Children will take cues from the adults around them, so if you're open and honest, they will likely follow suit. Answer their questions directly but avoid unnecessary details unless they're asked. Their inquiries will be shaped by their age and previous experiences, such as the death of a pet. Children under 7 may not fully understand that death is permanent, universal, and involves the body stopping completely. They may ask more literal questions, like "Who will Nan play with in heaven?" or "Who will take me to the park?"
In some cultures, being around the deceased is a natural part of life, but in Western culture, we’ve moved away from this. At Gillions, we believe in supporting families to be as involved as they wish in caring for their loved one after they’ve passed. This may include helping to dress them, spending time with them, or bringing them home before the funeral. While it’s natural to feel unsure about this, we often hear from families that the experience was deeply meaningful. Dressing a loved one can feel like a final act of love, especially if you helped care for them before they passed. We encourage children to be part of this process too.
Grief is a deeply personal journey, influenced by past experiences and the circumstances of loss. When a death is sudden, for instance, grief can feel more complex and harder to navigate than when the death was expected. While many find their own path through grief, others may require additional support
It is not just children who are deeply affected by the loss of a pet. Grief is a price we pay for love.
I still remember the heartache of putting our beautiful girl, Keira, to sleep after 15 years with us. We had a deep bond. She travelled with us overseas and to different cities. Her demise was very sudden and came as such a shock. Pets provide unconditional love, happiness, and joy. When that is taken away, there is a void left in their place. They are a loved member of the family. Some may not understand the depth of your grief, but for you, it is real. At Gillions, we have all lost pets. The grieving process cannot be forced or hurried; for some, it can be measured in years. Reaching out to others who have lost pets can help ease the grieving process. Since 2019, we have held an annual pet memorial—a funeral for your pet. We include the elements of a traditional funeral: a musician, celebrant, a slideshow of all the loved pets, a memorial tree, and light refreshments afterwards. Our next pet memorial will be held on Sunday, October 6th, at 2 pm in the Gillions Chapel. Please send your photos to pets@gillions.co.nz by September 30th. If you are unable to attend in person, we will live-stream the service. "Everything you love will probably be lost, but in the end, love will return in another way." - Franz Kafka (1883-1924)
Address
407 Hillside Road
South Dunedin
Dunedin 9012
Contact
03 455 2128
Office@Gillions.co.nz
