Bereavement

“Blessed are those who mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

Matthew 5:4

Funeral

Death is a time of sadness but also a time of coming together to celebrate the life lived in our midst. A Catholic funeral is a liturgical celebration of the Church with the joy of the paschal mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection.

Before the day and time are set for the funeral, please contact the Diocesan Pastoral Associate at 330-699-4500 to make plans for the funeral arrangements.

Bereavement

The loss of a loved one is one of the greatest traumas in life…it is the survivors who grieve that loss. It is lonely and difficult. Losing a loved one anytime of the year is tough enough, getting through the holidays and revisiting memories or any other significant day, such as anniversaries or birthdays can also be painful. When we suffer the passing of a loved one or face the certainty of our own death, the Church's funeral rites provide a place where we can grieve, remember, face our fear, give thanks, celebrate, and above all connect our personal human experience to that of the believing community and to the story of Jesus.

Author Darcie Sims writes: “Our loved ones are still and always will be a part of us. They are threads in our fabric and we cannot lose their love”. It’s normal to hide the pain of losing someone close and not wanting to share how you really feel, even with family members or close friends. It is because of love that we grieve.

Grief Support

Are you experiencing grief associated with the loss of a loved one? Seeds of Hope is a grief support group for adults. Sessions last about 8 weeks. Day or evening groups are available. For more details, please call Mercy Medical Center at 330-489-1143 or visit grief support.