Resources
Whether you received news of an unexpected death or shared your loved one’s final moments, your initial reaction was most likely shock. No matter how prepared we are, or are not, a loved one’s death often leaves us feeling panicky. If you are responsible for making the funeral arrangements or executing the will, shock and grief can be overwhelming and paralyzing. Even simple decisions can be bewildering. At Symonds, we hope you can navigate through this process with the reassurance that you are not alone and we are here to help you every step of the way.
If there is any information you cannot find on our website, please feel free to contact one of our Funeral Directors.
Links
- Social Security Administration
- Veterans Administration
- Illinois Department of Vital Records
- Chicago Catholic Cemeteries
- Cemeteries of Chicago
Grief, Death, and Loss Support
Association for Death Education and Counseling
A multi-disciplinary professional organization dedicated to promoting excellence in death education, bereavement counseling, and care of the dying.
Center for Loss and Life Transition
A private organization dedicated to furthering our understanding of and compassion for the complex set of emotions we call grief. Dedicated to helping both the bereaved, by walking with them in their unique life journeys, and bereavement caregivers, by serving as their educational liaison and professional forum.
Crisis, Grief and Healing
A place where men and women can discuss, chat or browse to understand the many different paths to heal strong emotions. Resources on the site include excerpts from author Tom Golden’s books on healing from loss.
GriefNet
GriefNet is an Internet community of persons dealing with grief, death, and major loss. They have many email support groups. Their integrated approach to online grief support provides help to people working through loss and grief issues of all kinds.
Hygeia
Using new technology to share age-old feelings and lessons, Hygeia® provides the most comprehensive resource and largest international online community for families experiencing the grief and sorrow which accompany the loss of a pregnancy or newborn child and the angst of parenting and caring for critically ill neonates or children.
Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter
For all parents who have to walk the road of bereavement: we do not walk alone and we remember our children together.
Aging, Dying, Caregiving Support
Aging with Dignity
Non-profit organization that advocates for the needs of elders and their caregivers, with a particular emphasis on improving care for those at the end of life.
Before I Die
PBS web companion to Before I Die: Medical Care and Personal Choices. Explores the medical, ethical, and social issues surrounding end-of-life care in America today.
Growth House
An international gateway to resources for life-threatening illness and end of life issues. Hypertext topic pages link to sites around the world.
Hospice and home care, bereavement, death with dignity, AIDS, and related topics in life-threatening illness.
Hospice Foundation of America
On this site you can learn about hospice care, how to select a hospice and how to locate a hospice near you. You can learn of their programs, read excerpts from their publications, order their books and videos and sign up for their annual bereavement teleconference.
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
Committed to improving end of life care and expanding access to hospice care with the goal of profoundly enhancing quality of life for people dying in America and their loved ones.