Easier end-of-life dialogue in native language, cemetery finds – BC Catholic

0


[ad_1]

Navigating funeral arrangements and wills can be a tricky and complex task, but talking about it in your native language can make that conversation a little easier.

That’s what Peter Nobes, director of Catholic cemeteries, discovered after offering pre-planning workshops in Vietnamese, Cantonese and, most recently, Korean. It also has advisors on staff who speak a variety of languages, including Cantonese, Spanish, Tagalog and Italian.

“People who come to us, when English is not their first language, it comforts them to speak to someone in their own language,” Nobes said. “It creates trust. “

In addition to breaking down language barriers, these multilingual options are also useful for managing cultural sensitivities, Nobes said. “There are a lot of nuances in funerals. “

Nobes began offering advance planning workshops in English in early 2021, covering everything from healthcare instructions and wills to funeral planning. But he struggled to generate enough interest.

Deacon Kenneth Fung (left), a Cantonese-speaking family service counselor, leads a tour of the Gethsemane Gardens cemetery.

When he started offering the same courses in different languages, inviting lawyers and priests fluent in those languages ​​to lead various parties, he realized he had found the key. Interest grew exponentially, with the latest Korean-language workshop attracting 150 participants.

The next workshop is booked for October 30 at the Immaculate Conception Parish of Delta in Tagalog and English. Nobes also runs monthly English pre-planning workshops online.

Anyone looking for a counselor in a language other than English can check the top of the Catholic Cemeteries website to see if their native language is listed.

[ad_2]

Share.

Comments are closed.