Why It’s Time to Support the Living at Funerals

At every major stage of life, we’re surrounded by support. From engagements and weddings to baby showers and retirement parties, we celebrate each milestone with our loved ones by our side. There's always a network of people offering help, guidance, and care as we move through life’s transitions.

But when it comes to funerals, something shifts. The focus moves entirely to the person who has passed, while those left behind are often overlooked. Why is that? In the current landscape of the funeral industry, the attention is almost entirely placed on the deceased, specifically the logistics and costs surrounding the body.

The living, however, are left to navigate their grief with little meaningful support.

As someone who has spent time reflecting on spirituality and the human experience, I’ve come to see that it’s not just about honoring the person who has passed—it’s about supporting the people who remain. The ones who are still here, still living, and still needing care.

The U.S.funeral industry profits from focusing on the body of the deceased. The rituals, the arrangements, and the ceremonies all center around this. Why? Because that is the way they make money, by monetizing the body.

But what about the people who are left to keep moving forward, who are grappling with grief, confusion, and the daunting task of navigating life without their loved one?

In my spiritual journey, I’ve learned that real healing begins with the living. It’s about supporting those who are left behind, helping them process their loss, and giving them the tools they need to move forward. The funeral itself is just the beginning of a much longer journey. For the living, that’s where the real need for support begins.

At Ripple, we believe in a new approach to this process—one that doesn’t stop at the funeral, but rather focuses on the needs of the living. Our mission is to provide care, community, and conversation for those navigating grief, offering them the emotional and practical support they need to rebuild and reframe their lives after loss.

The focus shouldn’t just be on honoring the person who has passed—it should be on caring for those who are still here. Because the journey through grief doesn’t happen in a single day; it’s a lifelong process, and it’s one that no one should have to go through alone.

If you’ve ever felt like the world moved on after the funeral and left you behind, know this: you’re not alone. At Ripple, we’re here for the living—for the ones left to pick up the pieces and move forward with life.

Head over to Ripple’s Grief Registry to see some items to send someone who needs support.