Barbara Kemmis: All Things Mental Health

What this episode covers

Losing someone and mourning that loss can take a toll on the mental health of the people who are left behind. This is especially true during the pandemic, when cremation disposal is on the rise.  Relatives gathering for the celebration of life gathering was very limited. Even now when the effects of the pandemic have waned, cremation is still on the rise, which could be understood as a result of lack of burial sites and financial constraints.  On the good side, though, the pandemic has brought a positive effect on mental health because it is openly discussed in society. Jennifer's guest for this episode is Barbara Kemmis, the  Executive Director of  CANA and conversation will focus around mental health and how cremation has evolved since the pandemic. Stream the episode to learn about how you can take care of your mental health while grieving, and how you can support those who are struggling in their personal grief journey. LITTLE NUGGETS OF GOLD: - Does Barbara think that cremation will continue to grow after Covid? - Jennifer's thoughts on funerals and celebration of life - Barbara's experience participating in an online funeral for a distant relative in the Philippines - CANA's Focus Group research validation on direct cremation and cremation with service - Why does Jennifer think that funeral directors are losing it in terms of value servicing? - Thoughts on cremation as a threat to profitability of funeral providers - If there is such a thing as a positive outcome of the pandemic, it would be the increased openness on mental health - Why is mental health important in developing some kind of coping mechanism? - Funeral directors are complemented by event planners and celebrants in providing value to families - CANA is now taking an interest in different forms of disposition   Resources: The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, by Priya Parker [https://www.amazon.com/Art-Gathering-How-Meet-Matters/dp/1594634920] (https://www.amazon.com/Art-Gathering-How-Meet-Matters/dp/1594634920) Connect with Barbara Kemmis: Funeral Professionals Peer Support - https://funeralspeersupport.com/ CANA Website - https://www.cremationassociation.org/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbarakemmis Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper: Facebook Page - Muldowney Memorials: https://www.facebook.com/MuldowneyMemorials/ Facebook Page - Rainbow Bridge Memorials: https://www.facebook.com/rainbowbridgememorialsdotcom Instagram - @muldowneymemorials [https://www.instagram.com/muldowneymemorials/] & @jennifermuldowney [https://www.instagram.com/jennifermuldowney/] Twitter - @TheGlamReaper [https://twitter.com/theglamreaper] Email us here: [email protected]