WHEELING, IL—As essential workers, funeral professionals are particularly aware of the value of being resilient, but where can you go to replenish that resiliency and prepare for the next challenge? This August 16th, Chaplain Ross Wilson joins Funeral Professional Peer Support (FPPS) and the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) for a discussion on supporting ourselves to support our communities.
Ross Wilson is a hospice chaplain and end of life doula in Ottawa, Ontario and mental health consultant specializing in psychological first aid. During the first COVID-19 lockdown, he turned his attention to essential workers who focused on supporting others but couldn’t find support for themselves. During the Funeral Professionals Peer Support Meeting on August 16th, he will talk about solutions to mental hardships and focus on the mental wellbeing of funeral professionals.
“If there is no me, there is no we,” Ross explains. “If you’re focusing solely on others outside of you, the energy inside of you will not last. You’re not good to all these people around you – to friends, family, the business and things you do – if you can’t solely focus on yourself. By focusing on yourself, you’re helping so many people, because without you, there’s nothing else.”
Be sure to attend August’s peer support meeting as Ross Wilson leads an in-depth discussion on the mental and physical struggles that impact funeral professionals. Join Ross and FPPS Wellness Director Lisa Smith to talk about these challenges with your peers. Whether or not you have a pressing issue to discuss, the meetings are a valuable place to offer support to your colleagues, too.
If you work for a funeral home, cemetery, or crematory serving the public or supporting those who do—connect with us on Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 5pm PT via Zoom link at goCANA.org/peersupport. Students, apprentices, and interns are welcome to join as well.
About Funeral Professional Peer Support
Funeral Professional Peer Support Group is committed to providing support, healing, education and knowledge to funeral professionals. They promote wholeness and wellness by uniting funeral sector professionals through a Canada-wide network of regional organizations offering support, information and resources within their community.
About CANA
Founded in 1913, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) is an international organization of over 3,300 members, composed of funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, industry suppliers, and consultants. CANA members believe that cremation is preparation for memorialization.
