A Letter of Condolence and Pastoral Care from Dean Robert Allan Hill

Dearly Beloved,

Grace and peace to you and your family.

We have recently had communication about a death in your family.  My primary word to you is one of personal condolence. On behalf of the Marsh Chapel community and Boston University I send my heartfelt word of sympathy for you in this time of loss.  The work and rhythms of grieving in mourning, and remembering, and acceptance, and affirmation, are serious and lasting labors.  Where and as I can be of personal support to you, or more broadly where we as a Marsh community can help you, we are at your service and at your disposal.  I am truly and very sorry for your loss.

You are reading this letter because you have most likely been in touch with our Chapel Director in order to begin to plan for a proper and appropriate memorial service or funeral, for your loved one.  Marsh Chapel serves the Boston University community, particularly in times of loss, and we stand ready to help you in this hour.  Normally, an initial meeting with the Chapel Director and the Dean (or one of the Chaplains), here in the Chapel, is the best initial step.  We will in this hour convey resources for pastoral and other care available to you, here and across the University; and then we will begin to plan out the order of worship for the service, according to your desires, and within the traditions and religious practices of the Chapel.  We are a University Chapel, so we are accustomed to many and varied forms of remembrance, depending on the families and needs involved.

While we are strongly committed to doing everything we can to support your family during this time, and in the development of the memorial or funeral service, our larger interest is of course in the well-being of the grieving family, over the long term.  Please do not hesitate to call upon the Dean, Director, or Chaplains, as and if you have personal or pastoral need, both now, and into the long-range future.

Blessings and best wishes,

Bob Hill

 

The Rev. Dr. Robert Allan Hill

Dean, Marsh Chapel

Professor, New Testament and Pastoral Theology

Chaplain to the University, Office of Religious Life

Boston University

6173583394

rahill@bu.edu