*Sponsored content by Ridout’s Trussville Chapel.
By June Mathews
For The Tribune
Coping with the loss of a loved one is among life’s toughest challenges. Whether a family member or a treasured friend, death leaves a void that can never be completely filled.
Jerry Beam, the manager of Ridout’s Trussville Chapel, has seen time and again how comforting it can be for families to celebrate a life with a personal, memorable send-off. Thus, the role of a funeral home in helping families plan meaningful ways to honor their loved ones becomes a top priority.
“Our job is to not only offer the services a funeral home traditionally provides but to guide families through those first steps in processing the loss they’ve suffered and dealt with their grief,” said Beam. “We’re much more than funeral directors; we’re partners in the healing process, and we want to personalize the experience for each family we serve.”
For the professionals at Ridout’s Trussville Chapel, that process begins with a thoughtful conversation with family members to learn about the personality and passions of their loved one—their likes, dislikes, interests, hobbies, church affiliations, favorite teams, clubs—whatever reflects who that person was and how they would have wanted to be remembered. From simple to elaborate, they work with families to determine what kind of tribute would best represent a loved one’s wishes.
“We once had a motorcycle displayed in the chapel in honor of a devoted rider,” said Beam. “At the request of another family, we served honey buns in the lobby because that was the favorite snack of their loved one. Another loved one was a fan of old Westerns, so that’s what we had playing on our video screen during the visitation.
“If a family wants it, we’re going to do everything we can to make it happen,” he said. “We believe the personal touches are that important.”
Ridout’s Trussville Chapel was built in 1975 to help accommodate families previously served by the former Ridout’s Chapel in Roebuck. The facility was completely remodeled in 2011 to give it a more open and inviting feel. Pews in the chapel area were replaced with comfortable cushioned chairs, brighter colors were introduced throughout the location and all of the décor was updated to achieve a more modern look.
Space was created within the reconfigured floorplan to accommodate a reception area furnished with a banquet and serving tables, yet another example of how Ridout’s Trussville puts families first.
“Often, the last thing that people dealing with the death of a loved one is thinking about is food, but nourishment is an important part of coping with the stress of the circumstances,” said Beam. “Enjoying a meal together is also comforting to the family.”
The funeral home works with several caterers to make menu planning easier for all involved. And when opportunities to provide special touches come along, the dedicated staff at Ridout’s Trussville Chapel make every effort to accommodate those requests. Because of that caring, personal service, one family was able to enjoy their loved one’s favorite dessert—a legendary coconut cake made with her very own recipe.
“That’s what we put the focus on,” said Beam, “the special touches that really matter to our families.”
Ridout’s Trussville Chapel is a proud member of the Dignity Memorial® network of licensed funeral, cremation and cemetery providers. For more information on Ridout’s Trussville Chapel, the personalized services they offer, or current obituaries and service times, please visit www.RidoutsTrussvilleChapel.com.