Funeral or eulogy guided meditation for caregivers

In this slight adaptation of the classic ACT funeral exercise, participants are asked to imagine that they have died and the children in their life are writing an eulogy. This exercise can facilitate values clarification of how they would like to impact the children they care for.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

  • Who was writing the eulogy?

  • How did you feel as you imagined it happening?

  • Was there anything that felt scary or you wanted to avoid?

  • Was there anything that felt inspiring or exciting?

  • What did you most hope the children in your life learned from you?

  • How do you hope they feel when they are with you?

  • How are you doing this in your daily life now?

  • Are there places you would like to do more or different?

TAKE HOME

Participants' reflections from this exercise can lead to useful north stars or brief touch points as they engage in committed action. Douglas Long, in his 80th Birthday adaptation, also notes that this exercise provides fertile ground for exploring the following ideas: values as a choice versus a “should”, values enacted in behavior and action, and the interconnectedness of vulnerability, caring, and pain.  

Special thanks to the work of Drs. Walser, Hayes, Long, and Harris who each developed and shared similar exercises.

Kerry Makin-Byrd, PhD