Beech Tree News Network

   Grief hits us all differently...especially children.  Even while they sense something is wrong, they are still curious and want to play, and most cannot sit still for long periods of time. Our local Smith Funeral Home has created a room for "kids to be kids" within their establishment.  The phrase funeral home has the word "home" in its verbiage for a reason. For some people, death is the only time they see extended or even close members of their family. It's a place to reconnect with those living and remember those lost. It’s an impromptu homecoming we have all experienced at least once in our lives. While adults are visiting and dealing with grief, children also need their own area during this tense and difficult time. 

       Previously the "smokers’ room" has been repurposed to be a children’s room. The idea came to owners and staff when cleaning and repainting the walls.  If you have ever visited Smith Funeral Home, you are aware of the beautiful interior; no longer wanting the smell from the smoker’s room to permeate the rest of the building, the choice was made to repurpose the room to create a space for children.

      The first of its kind in our area, it is stocked with toys, coloring books, and television all for the benefit of children.  Wanting an extra special touch to the room, graphic art student, Gabrielle Stark, was commissioned to paint a mural on the wall.  The mural is a large tree of life covered in blue butterflies, serving as a great centerpiece for the new area.

 While the smoker’s room is now closed, patrons are still encouraged to smoke outside under the covered porches.

 Offering this gesture to the children of our community during their time of grief is amazing.  Hopefully, this will become a trend we will see replicated in other funeral homes because children need their own space while dealing with grief.   If you pop in for a visit to see the staff at Smith Funeral Home, or are there on official business, swing by the children's room and see the beautiful mural.