Bradley & Son Offers Bereavement Support

in Chatham, NJ offers a speicial service for the family and friends of the departed.

The Center for Life Transition (CFLT), established by Bradley & Son in 1999 to provide a broad spectrum of professional services and resources for bereaved individuals and families, has launched a new Bereavement Support Membership Program for anyone coping with loss due to death. This new program offers a variety of support services, is open to all bereaved families in the community, and is free to join.

Membership includes: free bi-weekly year-round support groups led by nationally recognized bereavement experts in Northern New Jersey, Monthly “check-in” phone calls or visits from a CFLT Aftercare Specialist, monthly luncheons with keynote speakers, Living Through Mourning monthly newsletters, and updates on bereavement support news and events across New Jersey via mail or email.   In addition, membership provides access to a network of professionals that can serve bereaved families with legal, financial and other personal needs.

“The story does not end when the funeral is over,” says Scott Bradley, Manager Partner and Owner of Bradley Funeral Homes & CFLT, as well as a practicing psychotherapist. 

“For the majority it is just beginning as we search for meaning and try to adjust to life after the loss of a loved one.  Based on our experience with thousands of bereaved families we are sensitive to the unique journey each mourner will undergo. The wide range of support services we currently offer will be enhanced by this new Bereavement Support Membership Program, allowing us to further assist those coping with loss, at every stage of their journey.”

“Sharing with others is an invaluable experience for those who are coping with a loss,” continues Bradley.  “This new Program’s bi-weekly support groups, which are limited to 7-9 individuals to maintain an intimate setting, provide a safe environment where families and individuals can begin to understand and deal with their grief.  However, we also recognize that many individuals are more confortable in a one-on-one setting and so private counseling is also available.”

Alongside Scott Bradley, this new Program will be staffed by The Center for Life Transition’s nationally recognized bereavement experts and aftercare professionals, including:

Päivi M. Outinen, RN, LCSW (Pie-vee Ow-ti-nen) - a psychotherapist with extensive clinical and management experience and a comprehensive postgraduate education. She works with couples, families, and individuals ranging in age from 4 years old to older adults.

Ms. Outinen graduated with both a Master’s Degree and a Baccalaureate Degree in Social Work from Rutgers University, an Associate Degree in Nursing from County College of Morris, and a Certificate in Aging from the Boston University School of Social Work.

Mary Robinson, MA - founder of Good Grief, Inc., a resource for grieving children and their families, which is based in Morristown, NJ. She joined the Center for Life Transition in 2011 as a bereavement support group leader.  She is a member of the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) and is has completed a Master’s Degree in Applied Psychoanalysis. Additionally, she is a Certified Disaster Response Crisis Counselor and is completing her Certificate in Thanatology. Mary has been working in the field of grief and bereavement support since 1997.

Susan V. Suarez - the Aftercare & Community Outreach Coordinator for both Bradley Funeral Homes and the Center for Life Transition. A graduate from the Funeral Service Program at Mercer County Community College, Susan worked as an in-home caregiver before joining the staff at Bradley & Son Funeral Homes. She is currently working toward New Jersey licensure as a Funeral Director while coordinating the Aftercare services offered by Bradley & Son Funeral Homes and the Center for Life Transition.

For further information please contact Scott Bradley, Managing Partner & Owner at (973) 908-6023 ext.105 or Susan V. Suarez, Aftercare and Community Outreach Coordinator, (973) 635-2428 ext. 109.