The pain of coping with death can be compounded when the deceased is a victim of suicide. In addition to coming to terms with the harsh reality of the loss, you and your family must begin the process of making funeral plans for your loved one. That may seem next to impossible in the aftermath of the death, but there are resources that can assist during these challenging times. Here are five planning suggestions that might provide some gentle guidance.

How to Honor a Victim of Suicide

1. Contact a Funeral Home

There’s understandably little capacity to focus on formal details, such as choosing a casket, selecting readings, and making other pertinent arrangements, in the aftermath of a suicide. When you contact a funeral home, you’re in the hands of compassionate professionals who can lead you in the right direction, help you make appropriate decisions, and give you the information that you need without pressuring you.

2. Focus on the Memories

The challenge of making funeral plans is coming to terms with the idea of speaking in the past tense. Bringing up those special memories may be especially difficult when the death involves a suicide victim. Think of the things that brought the person pleasure, whether it was something they enjoyed during childhood or a hobby they loved. These are the significant details that shine a bright light on the deceased, serving as a powerful reminder that suicide does not define their life.

3. Consider Memorializing Through Charity

Honor your loved one’s special memory by requesting donations to a specific charity in lieu of flowers. It might be a suicide foundation or a cause the deceased was connected to in some way. This may bring some small measure of solace to loved ones.

4. Do Not Shy Away

Making funeral plans for a suicide victim may be tough if your family feels the cause of death is too disturbing to share. It is a personal struggle, and a deeply sad part of the person’s life. Acknowledgment of this struggle can diffuse an underlying tension or discomfort and help mourners express their grief and sorrow appropriately.

5. Reach Out for Assistance

There’s no shame in needing help when life throws such a difficult challenge your way. Although a funeral home can provide constructive and practical assistance, on a personal level you might benefit greatly from friends and family members who can help you plan logistical details and lend emotional support. They will provide suggestions for music or readings, for example. More importantly, they’ll simply be there—and often that’s what you need the most during a time of grief.

Abriola Parkview Funeral Home has been a mainstay in the Trumbull, CT, community since 1906. With extensive experience in making funeral plans that properly honor your loved ones, we handle any situation with grace and compassion. In addition to planning a funeral service, we can also assist with grief counseling. Visit their website for information on our funeral home, or call (203) 373-1013.