The funeral industry offers essential services to the community. Nevertheless, it's a world that, even today, remains largely unknown to the general public.

Jacob Lamoureux and Jérôme Beaulieu, family care advisors and thanatologists, tell us more about their role and responsibilities within the Aeterna Funeral Complex team.

 

Building a career in the funeral industry

What makes a person want to work in the funeral industry? In the same way as the health or education fields, opting for a career in a funeral complex is a way of putting one's skills at the service of others.

 

“I went into the funeral business, says Jérôme, because I wanted to help people in difficult situations.”

 

As a family consultant, he is in direct contact with bereaved families. But as Jérôme himself explains, there's also a very human side to the job of thanatologist.

 

“As a thanatologist, he adds, I have the opportunity to take care of the deceased and offer them a dignified appearance for their loved ones’ last goodbye. That's what I'm most passionate about in thanatology: being able to allow families to have one last moment with their loved one. I feel blessed to be able to do this job.”

 

This notion of supporting people in difficult situations is also a source of motivation for Jérôme, as is the idea of honouring with dignity the memory of those who have passed away.

 

“What brings me the most satisfaction in my work, he reveals, is when a family thanks us, and we can truly feel the good we’ve done for them. Customer satisfaction is, of course, our priority, but it's also part of our mission to honor the deceased. Knowing that the commemoration met the bereaved family’s expectations fills me with pride.”

 

The advantages of being both a family care advisor and a thanatologist

What are the benefits of doing business with a family care advisor who also has a degree in thanatology? Jacob and Jérôme explain how their training as thanatologists enables them to enhance their service offering.

 

“For a thanatologist, explains Jérôme, details are extremely important. In terms of preparing the body, we ask the deceased's family many questions in order to offer a faithful image of who they were when they were alive. Our aim is to enable loved ones to be reunited with their loved one for a final goodbye.”

 

For Jacob, his experience as a thanatologist and the training he has undergone give him a behind-the-scenes view. “I can put my knowledge of the pre-funeral process to good use,” he adds.

At Aeterna Complex, the roles of family care advisor and thanatologist are complementary. Thanks to their expertise in thanatology, Jérôme and Jacob can better serve the families they meet.

 

“Being both a thanatologist and a family care advisor, says Jérôme, enables us to ask specific questions related to the preparation of the body, in order to direct our care in the right direction and thus offer the bereaved an appropriate moment of contemplation.”

"I'm able to plan the logistics of a funeral and set up a showroom, says Jacob, but I also have the necessary skills to prepare the body of a deceased person for a funeral display. This allows me to better inform the families I accompany and explain to them what they need to prepare on their own or bring for a viewing.”

 

The role of the family care advisor

What are the responsibilities of a family care advisor at Aeterna Funeral Complex? The role of a family advisor is both that of a coordinator and that of a companion. The professional guides grieving families through each step of the funeral process, while reassuring them and establishing a climate of trust.

 

“When we meet with families and help people plan their funeral prearrangements, presents Jacob, our goal is to accompany people and help them through this difficult time.”

“At Aeterna Complex, adds Jérôme, the role of a family car advisor is first and foremost to take the time to listen to them in order to determine their needs, while respecting their culture and particular funeral rites.”

 

Family care advisors not only help the bereaved organize the funeral, but they also provide moral support during the preliminary meeting and throughout the process.

 

Preparation and guidance

According to Jacob, it's the family care advisor's responsibility to prepare families well before the first meeting.

 

"The loss of a loved one is a difficult ordeal, he says, which is why we always take the time needed to explain the steps ahead."

 

Jérôme shares this view.

 

“When we meet with families, he explains, we ask a lot of questions to better serve them. Sometimes, memories resurface during these meetings, making it more difficult for the loved ones of the deceased. Our role as advisors is to guide them through this process. So, our support is not only organizational but also emotional.”

 

Empathy and support

In addition to the organizational and planning tasks, we can't overlook the emotional aspect that necessarily comes with the role of family care advisor.

 

“We can't take away their pain, observes Jacob, but we can try to make it all a little less heavy, for the time of our meetings.”

 

According to Jérôme, a family care advisor must show empathy to offer quality service to bereaved families. “It's what enables us to listen well and ensure that last wishes are respected,” he maintains.

 

A day in the life of a family care advisor

What's it like to meet with a Aeterna Complex family care advisor? Jérôme and Jacob explain how they ease the burden on families after a loss by taking on the coordination of various stages of the process.

 

"In some cases, notes Jacob, the deceased had already put their last wishes on paper before leaving this world. This is reassuring for the bereaved and helps the process enormously. If the person didn't mention anything before passing away, we'll take the time we need to accompany the family appropriately, at their own pace.”

 

"After the first meeting, he adds, we'll follow up with the family. During the process, we'll contact the people involved to make sure everyone is comfortable with how things are going, and that there are no questions left unanswered.”

 

Family care advisors relieve the bereaved of an organizational burden by coordinating the various suppliers involved in organizing a funeral or any other type of celebration of life.

 

“We work jointly with musicians, celebrants and catering services and ensure communications with them to confirm that everyone is prepared for the event.”

 

Funeral services: what makes Aeterna unique

Why did you choose Aeterna Complex for your career? Neither Jérôme nor Jacob had to think long and hard to answer that question.

For Jacob, it's the team that makes all the difference.

 

"One of the distinctive strengths of Aeterna Complex, says Jacob, is the proximity offered by its small team, whose members work together to develop the exhibitions. Within the Aeterna team, communication is fluid and collaboration is a must.”

 

For Jérôme, the funeral complex's multicultural expertise is a unique strength.

 

"At Aeterna Funeral Complex, says Jérôme, we serve customers from many different cultures and religions. Even though the majority of our customers are very familiar with their rites and customs, some of them turn to us to benefit from the knowledge we've acquired over the years.”

 

Come and meet Jérôme and Jacob at Aeterna Funeral Complex

Do you live in the Greater Montreal area and are looking for a funeral complex to support you? Whether you're planning a funeral prearrangements, organizing a funeral, a celebration of life or a cremation, our family care advisors are ready to assist you.

Jérôme, Jacob and all our team members will guide you according to your needs and budget.

Contact our team to book an appointment.