Our Aftercare 

We know that the days and weeks following the loss of a loved one can be challenging, but you do not have to face the journey through grief alone. Jerilyn Dawson is our compassionate, dedicated Aftercare Coordinator. We encourage you to seek out her valuable guidance along the way. Jerilyn listens, suggests methods for coping, and provides helpful resources. In addition, she hosts several grief care gatherings and events throughout the year to offer those who are grieving a chance to talk about their journey, receive support, and feel less alone.


For additional grief support and guidance on all that follows the death of a loved one, please visit our Everything After and Brighter Mornings page.

Grief Support Groups

Support groups for those grieving meet monthly and are for anyone seeking loving support from others who have experienced death in their lives. It is good to get together to listen, to share, to provide support, to receive support, and to feel less alone.


Grief Resources Library

A library at Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory includes a wide variety of books that are loaned to people who are grieving. There are texts available on all aspects of death (loss of a family member, death by suicide, miscarriage or stillbirth, etc.). Also available are videos on the grieving process. Anderson Funeral Home, New Horizons, and community members donate to the library.


Grief Seminars

Grief seminars were started to help those who have lost of loved one better understand the grief journey. The six-week grief seminars are held every spring and fall. They are offered Monday evenings at 6 p.m. or Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. for your convenience. These seminars are open to any person grieving a death, whether it is the death of a spouse, child, sibling, relative, or friend. Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory sponsors these seminars at no cost to participants.


The classes are led by Anderson’s Grief Care Coordinator and cover a variety of topics:


  • Overview of grief and the process of grieving
  • Feelings –How do you name them? What do you do with them?
  • Impact of loss on the family –Your new role, redefining yourself /new coping tools
  • Reflections -Spiritual profile and personal recovery
  • Journal and Letter Writing –Recording your personal grief journey
  • Hope and Healing –Taking care of yourself


New Horizons

New Horizons is an organization developed and funded by Anderson Funeral Homeand Crematoryto help meet the many newneeds, tasks, and responsibilities individuals face after experiencing the death of a spouse or partner. There are many facets to New Horizons that allow individuals to choose their level of participation.


New Horizons operates under the direction of a board and the Grief Care Coordinator from Anderson. The board members represent the different aspects of New Horizons and meet on a regular basis to discuss how to help meet the needs of those facing the loss of a spouse or partner and to coordinate the monthly New Horizons activities.


New Horizons Newsletter

The monthly New Horizons newsletter includes the time and dates for all New Horizons activities. It is sent to individuals who have gone through the loss of a spouse or partner. Click here for the latest newsletter.


New Horizons Monthly Events

New Horizons schedules several monthly gatherings and events, including game nights, weekly card group, Saturday morning coffee, monthly brunch and socials, summer picnics, and day trips with local tour bus companies. These events are listed in the New Horizons newsletter with full details for each event. The two main holiday events are the Christmas Dinner and Valentine’s Day Dinner, which are held at the Broadway Ballroom and feature special entertainment.


Sunday Noon Meals

For many people, Sundays are family days. New Horizons knows that Sundays can be an especially lonely time after the loss of a spouse or partner. Each month, Sunday noon dinners are held at various restaurants. There is no formal meeting, just a time to share a meal, visit, and enjoy time together with others on this journey.


B-GEMS

B-GEMs stands for Brandon, Garfield, Evansville and Millerville. New Horizons wanted to have a group for the neighboring towns to the west of Alexandria for small monthly gatherings. B-GEMs is part of New Horizons, and participants attend the events in Alexandria as well. Plus, anyone from Alexandria is welcome to attend B-GEM gatherings. Each summer, there is a joint picnic held in Garfield at the park with entertainment.

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