Dear Friends:
I hope this message finds you growing in strength, moment by moment, as we face the future! Togetherness from afar has many of us grappling with change. The yearning to connect in our familiar ways is a very real struggle and the consequences of non-compliance is (at best) harsh. Being alone is not in any of our best interest, yet while being together we need to keep our perspectives and I hope you are doing so responsibly.
The grim reality of today is that someone we love may die from COVID-19. Grief does not wait for us, it captures our attention and demands that we embrace it. We all are grieving our losses right now–loss of movement and freedom, loss of income, loss of friends and family, loss of security, loss of health, loss of trust. Death magnifies these feelings. Please know that I can be of support.
If you are faced with the unthinkable losing a loved one during this unique and scary time, please know that I will work with you and/or your loved ones to make the right decisions for your family. You can bury or cremate now and have a service later when people can be together again. God forbid you lose touch with a loved one and hear they have passed, I will help you create a path of healing your loss. You can have a virtual service and invite everyone to join in via webcast or a Zoom platform. Just ask me and I will set it up. Also know that I have good referrals in the industry, if you or someone you know has a need.
I am available by phone or Facetime, Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom, phone conferencing to gather the stories and write a service that honors your loved one. I will perform it now via Zoom or hold it for you when you are ready to have a service. I am here to help you walk this path and give you words of solace and comfort and embraceable ways to put the stories in a place that will help you.
Every life deserves to be celebrated. Even when and if we are celebrating realistically across the miles.
Save lives, stay inside unless you must go out!
With virtual hugs,
Rabbi Melinda “Bracha” Bernstein
(954) 901-1355
PS: the photo below is from a private ceremony.
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