Memorializing a Loved One

Working with seniors, the Jewish Pavilion Senior Services staff and volunteers experience a lot of loss. When we hear of a family member who has passed, we send a card and the book “When You Lose Someone You Love” to the bereaved. We also invite the bereaved to participate in a free six-week grief support group.

There are many other ways to memorialize a loved one. Here are a few suggestions that may be meaningful and help in the grieving process:

• Create your own thank you card: Include a picture of your loved one on the cover of the card you send to people who contributed to his or her memory. You may also want to include on the card a list of the person’s hobbies, interests, favorite things etc.

• Gifts from Joanne Fink:
  Joanne Fink, author of “When You Lose Someone You Love” has a website which contains a great deal of valuable information about putting together a meaningful memorial service, Shiva, keepsake materials and more. The beautiful designs are perfect gifts for friends and family.

• Make a donation: You can donate to a favorite charity, plant a tree, or name a special fund in memory of your loved one. Jewish Pavilion Senior Services provides 400 holiday gift bags to seniors, and donors are pictured and acknowledged on a memory card that goes into each gift bag. This option, along with many other local charities, could memorialize a loved one in a meaningful way.

• Remember your loved one in a special way on the anniversary of their passing:. Each year, the anniversary of a loved one passing can be difficult. You can memorialize your loved one by cooking their favorite meal, playing their favorite songs, reading their favorite books, etc.

While most seniors face major adjustments when transitioning to an elder-care community, Jewish seniors face additional challenges. Not only do they lose their homes, and many of their friends, but they also lose ties to their cultural heritage.  This is where Jewish Pavilion Senior Services steps in. JPSS serves as a resource that provides room visits, festive holiday celebrations, and more to 450 Jewish residents in fifty facilities for seniors.  The Jewish Pavilion promotes inclusion, and thousands of seniors of all faiths are welcomed into our programs. Visit www.JewishPavilion.org to learn more.

The Orlando Senior Help Desk at the Jewish Pavilion (407-678-9363) helps thousands of callers navigate their way through the daunting senior maze, alleviating caregiver stress while giving advice on all types of elder issues. Visit www.OrlandoSeniorHelpDesk.org to learn more.