Chapter 4: If you are a leader at work
Ways to honour or remember the person
We collected money and had a local artist paint a picture of her favourite flowers. We hung it in the staff room in her memory. I think even those who never knew her appreciated the painting and the caring behind it. She would have loved it and I know it helped us in our grief.
It’s important to provide opportunities for your staff to plan and participate in activities that honour the memory of the person who has died. It’s equally important that everyone feels free to choose whether or not to participate.
If there is a funeral or celebration of life during normal working hours, attendance may not be possible for everyone. Consider rearranging schedules so that those who wish to can attend, or create other opportunities for staff to come together.
If no events or activities have been planned, you may want to organize a gathering at a time that has the least impact on workflow. Offer other ideas, such as creating a memory book to share with the person’s family, and invite staff to make suggestions. If the person’s death has created financial hardship for their family, consider a starting a fund or crowdsourcing campaign, such as GoFundMe.
