After Everyone Goes Home

Susan L. McNeil writes that parish communities must move beyond immediate funeral support to provide long term accompaniment for those experiencing loss. While parishioners often provide meals, flowers, and visits immediately following a death, the most difficult period for the grieving often occurs later when visitors leave and routines return.

McNeil suggests that accompaniment is a responsibility for all parishioners, not just priests and parish staff. She notes that grieving individuals do not need people to explain away their loss or attempt to fix the situation. Instead, the most faithful response is to offer presence rather than trying to solve grief as if it were a problem.