By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Meierhoffer Funeral Home is helping area residents reflect on the life of Pope Francis after his death on Monday.
The St. Joseph funeral home is offering a register book to sign for people throughout the duration of the funeral ceremonies for Pope Francis, which are set for Saturday at 3 am our time in St. Peters Square.
Todd Meierhoffer with Meierhoffer Funeral Home says sometimes just the act of signing a book and taking time to pay respects is important to people
"Pope Francis obviously is certainly noteworthy in terms of impacting many Catholics and just Christians a like, just to take time and sign a book," Meierhoffer tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So, we have a table, we have a picture, some Catholic memorabilia, and that book will end up being sent to the Vatican."
Meierhoffer says it is interesting what people will do at the time of a death to pay their respects
"And what I'm saying is, is people will take time because it's important to them," Meierhoffer explains. "And I think that's the most rewarding piece of this, is there will be a lot of people that come out."
Meierhoffer says anyone is welcome to come and sign the book, and says this is just something they want to offer the community to help in the healing process
"Helping families begin to heal is our mission, and that's all families and all deaths, and we're happy to be a part of this and offer this to the community," Meierhoffer says.
Meierhoffer says people will come in and connect by signing the book, with prayer cards available, and then they get in their car and reflect on the death itself
"And then through the coming weeks, as people watch and take part in Pope Francis's funeral, essentially there will be a celebration," Meierhoffer says. "And the celebration is in the form of recognizing the life that he lived."
Meierhoffer says all of this is part of a bigger picture than just a death, and it's a process that everyone goes through.
The book will be available to sign for the remainder of the month during normal business hours at the funeral home.
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