My 16 year old son passed away in Dec 2010 in a auto accident. I was never so outraged at the treatment of the funeral directors callus way of proceeding with my son's arrangements. I feel that as parents and family members to have lost someone so tragically we should be offered to speak to someone to help us figure out what to do or shown some options. Many of us parents who have lost a child or children are at the mercy of the funeral directors advice without knowing our options. Parents are never offered anyone to speak to. As we sat in shock and  in a daze listening to a man behind a desk asking us what we wanted our child's obituary to say,  I felt as if my whole life was now over and this man only wants to do paperwork and wants answers now!!  I am saddened that other parents are put through this with out any empathy . We listen and follow what is being said to us as the truth from people who are just doing their jobs. My proposal would be for parents to be offered to speak to someone who will with empathy talk to the parents help them through what to write and not be rushed, explain to them that what they are feeling and are going to feel are all normal. I would also suggest this be done by someone who have been through this tragedy themselves and know exactly what these poor parents are experiencing. Sure they have grief brouchers,but understand we are in a daze and overcome with loss to even see them. The responders to my son's accident were offered and given debriefment counseling as protocal, what about us parents who have just lost our child. I would offer my services free of charge to parent's in my area on call basis. Give parents the gift and solice to be able to sit with someone who can offer them support and empathy that is so needed. Regardless of the time needed for this support we are all faced with reality that it will not change the outcome, so why not help and make parents feel confident and assured that they have done and  have said the right things for and about their child. Please support my cause  to provide support and guidance for parents struck by tragedy by mandadting that funeral homes and or coroners are required to provide this support to parents immediately following tragedy.

So many children die each day and parents across the country need to be protected during their time of grief when they should not be expected to make such major decisions with out guidance.