Because LOVE Can't Wait

When I ask people about the losses they’ve experienced during the pandemic, without fail they describe the pain of losing in-person connections. Just a few months ago, we took those connections for granted. Now we long for them. And when we lose a loved one, we long even more. Thankfully, with creativity, smaller groups, masks, social distancing and modern technology, we can still safely connect with one another after a death.

The “Because LOVE Can’t Wait” program at Koch Funeral Home offers safe connections for those who are grieving. For supervisor and funeral director F. Glenn Fleming, one part of caring for families is about helping them begin their lives without loved ones in healthy and healing ways. This hasn’t changed during the pandemic. Families can still create unique, one-of-a-kind services and gatherings.

As the name implies, LOVE can’t wait. When a death occurs, loved ones naturally want to come together to share stories and support one another – they want to give and receive LOVE. With the “Because LOVE Can’t Wait” program, families can choose from the online and in-person options listed below. Please note that all in-person options must adhere to the current Pennsylvania government guidelines of mask-wearing, social distancing and limits of 25 people.

• Online Tribute Wall –Through the online obituary page, families can upload pictures and share stories and memories through condolences.
• Tribute Video – Families can pick an appropriate theme, upload photos, videos and music and add images and comments.
• Visitation – Families can have an In-Person Visitation, a Drive-Through Visitation under the porte cochere or a Virtual Visitation with group visits in break-out rooms.
• Funeral or Memorial Service – Families can have an In-Person Service while providing remote attendance for others or a Virtual Remembrance Circle with a time of remembering, sharing stories and honoring the deceased.
• Graveside Service – Families can have an In-Person Burial Service.
• TribuCast™ Live Stream and Website Portal – Families can have a private web page personalized with uploaded pictures, the obituary, service information and a guest book for sharing condolences and memories. This website will also provide remote, real-time service attendance through webcasting and hold the service recording for 90 days.

In addition to the above program, we have moved our educational and support gatherings online for now:

• Virtual Death Café, Monday, June 15 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Zoom.
• Monday’s Moments Virtual Gathering – “Why Are Rituals Important?” on Monday, July 6 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom. Please RSVP by July 2.

For more information about all of these programs, visit the Koch Funeral Home website, Bereavement Gatherings and Events section under the Local Resources tab. All of these events are open to the public and space is limited.

Jackie Hook, MA, is a spiritual director, celebrant and end-of-life doula.  She coordinates the Helping Grieving Hearts Heal program through Koch Funeral Home in State College.  For more information, please call 814-237-2712 or visit www.kochfuneralhome.com.