Questions people ask

Visiting the

Chapel of RestTamworthThe Mews

Upper GungateTamworth

Staffordshire B79 7NZ01827 62094

TamworthThe Bereavement Centre

5 ColehillTamworth

Staffordshire B79 7HA01827 63711 ext 213

Uttoxeter34 High Street

UttoxeterStaffordshireST14 7HT

01889 565561

Woodville107 Granville Street

WoodvilleNr Swadlincote

Derbyshire DE11 7JH01283 217237

Traditionally, the Chapel of Rest used to be furnished toresemble a Chapel in church, stained glass and Christiansymbols being the norm. Today though, the Chapel is simply atranquil room, although the term Chapel is still commonly used.

What is a Chapel of Rest

Why do people visit the Chapel

What will I see

For most people, the visit to the Chapel of Rest, is an opportunityto say goodbye. Coming to terms with the loss of someone closecan be very painful. A peaceful image will stay in the memory andalso confirm the fact of death, a necessary part of the process ofgrieving.

Before someone visits the Chapel of Rest, they have generallycreated a mental picture of what they hope to see - their lovedone looking much as they knew them in life, peaceful and familiarand comforting. Death can sometimes alter the face, taking awayfamiliar lines and smoothing contours. What they actually see maynot be exactly what they may expect, but still an acceptable imageto stay in their memory even so.

A visit to the Chapel of Rest can often be an aid to the releaseof emotion, which otherwise may be held in check to thedetriment of the bereaved persons physical and mental wellbeing.

For various reasons, guilt can often impel people to visit the Chapelof Rest. It may be that there had been bad feeling or harsh wordsexchanged on their last meeting, or simply that they had not visitedfor sometime. The opportunity to say what they need to say, (eventhough there will be no response) is a valuable way of helping toheal the rift.

The confirmation that death has occurred helps the grievingprocess, until that final proof of death is faced, there remainsthe sense of the unbelievable; the idea that the lost personmay still yet reappear, alive and well. If the death has beentraumatic, there are fears that the person may have sufferedgreat pain, or may be badly scarred and injured. A visit to theChapel of Rest is a great relief in the circumstances; apeaceful and pleasant final memory of someone who looksas they always did.

What are the benefits of visiting the Chapel

It has been said that, until one expresses their physical feelingsand emotions, the path to acceptance of the loss cannot begin.

The Chapel also provides a private place in which to expressfeelings, which could not be shown to others.