In collaboration with the Funeral Service Foundation, Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D., has written a self-care handbook for funeral service professionals titled “Caring for Families & Caring for Yourself.” This 28-page booklet provides in-depth looks at grief overload and secondary trauma; tips for physical, emotional, cognitive, social and spiritual self-care; space for journaling and reflecting; and a self-care manifesto.

Funeral service professionals are first responders – sometimes called “last responders” – in a high-touch, high-stress environment. Effectively managing that stress is part and parcel of the vocation and is essential to a funeral service professional’s well-being. Finding ways to manage stress is key to maintaining healthy relationships with loved ones and boosts a funeral director’s capacity to compassionately serve families.

As Wolfelt notes in the handbook, “Working in a funeral home early in my career taught me that those who choose funeral service as their vocation are truly fine and special people. Meaningful funerals and good deathcare are critically important for grieving families and our society at large. But, if you’re not taking care of yourself, none of that is possible.”

Order the handbook at funeralservicefoundation.org/self-care.