Rev. Cassius explains the importance of bereavement support
Rev Cassius Francis, our Chaplaincy Bereavement Care Lead, recently sat down with us during Dying Matters Week (5 - 11 May) and explained how our services can help people during the most challenging of times when they have lost a loved one.
Cassius, who supports families and individuals with or without faith, first started supporting families around a decade ago. It was then that he realised he could learn more about the support he could offer to those with and without faith.
He said: “We want families to know we are there for them. They are not left alone to deal with grief.
“We care for people as unique individuals and can offer care and further support.
“The aim is to bring hope and be there to listen and provide comfort whilst lifting spirits.”
Cassius is extremely passionate about the access to bereavement care for young people and their families, including those from Black UK African Caribbean heritage ethnic backgrounds.
He said: “Bereavement care is important. If people are not supported to process their grief there can be negative outcomes in other aspects of life including health and relationships.
“It is important to not bottle up emotions and feel as if we cannot talk about death at all.”
Cassius shared what grief means to him: “Grieving in a healthy way means to remember the person who died, to be able to laugh at the things that were funny, cry at the things that were painful.”
Please remember, support from our Chaplaincy team is available at any point in your journey. Please speak to one of our team, who can refer you. Self-refer to Chaplaincy is also available, as is support from our dedicated Bereavement team.