Olson-Powell offers Understanding Your Grief program

MT. PLEASANT — The Olson-Powell Chapel seeks provide support and information for those wanting to know more about grief whether they are struggling themselves or they would like to learn more to support others.

Olson-Powell Funeral Director Morgan Yoder’s heart is to empower those that are grieving in the community through this outreach program.

“I think we need to remember that grieving is a part of loving like Washington Irving said, ‘There is a sacredness in tears. They are not a mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than 10 thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition and of unspeakable love,’” Yoder said.

The “Understanding Your Grief” informal informative grief program is free for interested individuals can attend at either 1-3 p.m. or 5:3-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4 to learn more based on the work of grief author Alan Wolfett.

The session will offer information and an opportunity to share and hear from one another.

“The more we understand about grief, the more tools that we have to navigate through your grief journey,” Yoder said. “So, if we can provide you with those tools, we think it’s important for families to know that we care about them. We want to be there to help them navigate their grief journey, because we know it is full of ups and downs.”

Yoder says this sharing opportunity could provide people with a sense of connection knowing others are going through some of the same things, though sharing is completely optional.

“I think society as a whole has come a long way in talking openly and freely about grief and talking about loss,” Yoder said. “I think as a community, it is important to embrace grief and embrace loss, and I think that is what we’re doing through this time.”

For Yoder, providing these services just makes sense.

“Dr. Alan Wolfett, who is an extremely well-known death educator and author and grief counselor, says that grief becomes a part of you and fried responds to attention and expression and grief waits on welcome, not on time,” Yoder explained. “So when you feel that grief coming, I think it’s important for people to know and understand that you need to tend to it, give it the attention it deserves, and just be kind to yourself and let yourself grieve.”

“We think it's important that we provide this resource to the community,” Yoder said.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com