Organizing During a Difficult Time: Bereavement

Divine Inspirations
Alexandria
744-2557

I DO Bridal & Tuxedo
Alton
875-4848

Wooden Soldier Ltd
Bartlett
356-5643

Modern Bride & Formal Shop
Rte. 101
Bedford
472-4933

Betty Dee Fashions
Berlin
752-5141

Sherry's Veils
Bow
493-2775

Heidi's Bridal Boutique
Claremont
542-3345

Linda's Country Lane Bridal
Claremont
543-0882

A Day to Remember Bridal
Boutique
1 North Main St.
Concord
228.8031

Cassie’s Bridal
41 North Main Street
Concord
227-0561

The Perfect Dress For You
Concord
856-8829

Two Hearts Bridal Boutique
Dover
743-1433

Custom Bridal Veils
Exeter
778-6440

Townsend's Bridal & Formal
Center
Exeter
778-0280

William Fitz Bridal
Fitzwilliam
585-9555

Bridals by Giuseppe
Freedom
236-4543

Maria Antonieta Couture
Bridal
Gorham
839-5440

Country Bridals and Formal
Wear
17 Main Street
Jaffrey
532-7641

Organizing During a Difficult Time - Bereavement
by Karen Kenney

APPLAUD WOMEN HOMEPAGE

The Applaud Women publication is dedicated to women in New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. It's purpose is to inspire, inform, and
applaud local women. The core of the magazine is our inspirational women's articles, most of which feature local women but occasionally we are
able to interview national women who we feel provide a unique inspiration for our readers. Our other articles cover topics of interest such as food
recipes, home, garden, beauty, health, fashion, dating, parenting, seniors, finance, business, hair care, skin care, advice, real estate, insurance,
weddings etc. Each issue has a feature section as well. Many of our articles are written by local business people who provide information
relevant to their business expertise. The Applaud Women website is also a resource center for local women including the most comprehensive
listings of Restaurants, Weddings, Female doctors and Hotels. It also includes a number of informational pages with links, articles and RSS feeds
to both local and national websites of interest to women in NH & n. MA. To read the publication click here then click on the cover image to turn
pages, print or download the entire magazine. For past issues visit the Applaud Women Library.

The opinions and information provided within the Applaud Women publication or on the Applaud Women website are not necessarily those of Applaud Women, it's officers, staff or
contributing writers. Nor does inclusion on ApplaudWomen.com constitute endorsement of the views, products, services or informational content contained within the publication, advertising
on found anywhere on the website. Applaud Women values accuracy; however, Applaud Women does not warranty the accuracy of material provided by it's writers, advertisers or any
information provided by other sources included on the website.
No reproduction of any part of this page or any other page on the website is permitted without the express permission of Applaud Women.

The trauma associated with the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming. Many things must be done when a death
occurs. Many people must be contacted. Arrangements must be made. Paperwork must be completed. Insurance
claims must be filed. The list seems endless.

When these tasks are completed, spouses and other family members must then deal with making decisions about
what to do with the possessions of the loved one. Often they have no idea where to begin. They are at a loss as to
how best to help the grieving spouse, parent or child.

Some of the things to keep in mind:
People handle grief differently.
Family members and friends want to help. They want to do the right thing, but they are not sure what that might be.
People often do not know what to keep, give away or throw away.
Some people want to keep everything. Other people want to give everything away or throw it all away.
Adult children often want something that will help them remember Mom, Dad, Grandma or Grandpa. They take items
and later realize that they do not want or cannot use these things.
Adult children, or other family members, will often take unwanted items because they believe that refusing them
would cause hurt feelings.

Suggestions for people wanting to help:
Be kind and understanding.
Listen to the person who is grieving.
Do not try to make decisions for them.
Offer them encouragement if they seem unable to make any decisions. Perhaps suggest that they keep something
that will make them laugh – something from a happy time.
Suggest that they keep something that gives them comfort.
Suggest that they save some pictures.
Encourage them to offer something meaningful to others who are also grieving. If possible, let the other person
select something.
Suggest that they take only those things that will be needed in their new home, if they are downsizing, and those
special items they have chosen to remember their loved one.

Oftentimes during bereavement, family members become overwhelmed while trying to help. Here are some of the
things that a professional organizer can do to help:

Act as a buffer between family members who are struggling with this loss and their need to “do the right thing” for
their loved one. Many times family members are at odds as to what each person should be doing. A professional
organizer can help guide family members toward achieving solutions that are good for everyone.
Help make decisions about what will be needed in the new home.
Help find a place to donate items no longer needed or wanted, but that someone else would love to have.
Help make decisions about which things should be kept as a reminder of the loved one. Perhaps just taking a photo
or a small object is all that is needed.

Karen Kenney has operated OrganizingWORKS since May 2000, and believes she has been organizing since birth.
She loves to help people to get organized, feel less stressed and more at peace. Taking a space that is out of
control and making sense of it is the most rewarding. Karen has residential customers as well as corporate clients.
She works with seniors, children, people who have ADD, and other issues. For more information about Karen and
her business, visit her websites: www.organizingworks.net and www.theorganizingcheerleader.com
.