3 minute read
Funeral Luncheon Ministries
Ensuring Family and Friends Can Share a Meal Without Worry
Ensuring Family and Friends Can Share a Meal Without WorryAny of us who has lost a loved one certainly knows there are so many details that require attention — from the funeral to the burial, and then a meal afterward. As family and friends gather to mourn, it means so much for the bereaved to not have to worry about food. So, here at St. Joseph and Nativity, our Funeral Luncheon Ministries ensure that family and friends may simply focus on being together, without having to think about preparing a meal.
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“This gives grieving families the support they need to get through a difficult time,” says Helen Coughlin, who coordinates the ministry at St. Joseph.
Both of the ministries at St. Joseph and Nativity have volunteers who prepare the tables, take care of decorating, and then clean up afterward. The main course is catered by a local restaurant. Volunteers usually bake an assortment of treats to go with the meal.
At St. Joseph, side dishes are sometimes prepared by a group of volunteers.
Helen says there have been more than 60 funeral luncheons at St. Joseph since this ministry started in February of 2017.
When the St. Joseph enhancements began and before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nativity Funeral Luncheon Ministry welcomed the St. Joseph group into the Nativity hall with open arms.
“Once construction started, we went to Nativity,” Helen says. “They allowed us to use their kitchen and their hall to accommodate families that wanted to have a luncheon after the funeral Mass. I was amazed by how welcoming and willing they were to work with us, so we could continue to offer this to the members of our parish.”
“This ministry is so important because it makes it easier on the family so they don’t have to worry about lunch as they are grieving,” says Marilyn Siekeres, President of the Nativity Altar and Rosary Society and Coordinator of the Nativity Funeral Luncheon Ministry.
Helen and Marilyn both agree it has been difficult to put this ministry on hold, due to COVID-19 guidelines, and they feel for the families who have not been able to gather and have a luncheon after the funeral.
The St. Joseph ministry has an abundance of volunteers who are divided into two groups — one is led by Lidia Ganobcik and Elaine Daub-Dotson, and the other by Sylvia Kodger and Adele Govoni.
“We are so blessed to have more than 100 volunteers who assist with this ministry, between setup, baking, and more,” Helen says.
Helen notes the volunteers are mostly senior citizens, all of whom enjoy the opportunity to serve grieving families.
“It’s a testament to how wonderful this group of people is in the parish and how important they all are,” she says. “They do so much work for our parishes.”
In particular, Helen likes to see the faces of luncheon attendees as they approach the dessert table.
“These people have gone through a loss and they are grieving, but they almost always have a smile when they see the desserts,” she says. “It’s one way to bring some joy in a tough time.”
Marilyn says everyone who volunteers enjoys this ministry. Being a close-knit parish, members want to help if they can.
“It’s always a nice gathering for those of us that help,” Marilyn says. “It’s also a good service for those who are grieving.”
