Navigating grief and loss with Bartholomew Funeral Home

There is a certainty in life that one can never quite prepare for alone— nor should they have to.

Sudden or inevitable, no amount of prayers, kind words, or “Thinking of you” texts will offset the grief endured by losing a loved one. A silence falls on your immediate relationships after a great loss.

Kyle Newhard, office manager of Bartholomew Funeral Home, grew up in the family business. His father bought the funeral home from the Bartholomew family in 1998. Since 2020, Newhard has continued to earn his keep in the family business. Newhard’s father is the funeral director in Valparaiso, a town he raised his family in, building life-long connections for years to come.

“I went to business school at Ball State, and I have a degree in business administration,” Newhard said. “I do a lot of the in-house business stuff – accounting, marketing, ordering, scheduling, all that kind of behind-the-scenes stuff is really my cup of tea.”

With years of personal and professional experience, Newhard is fit to accommodate any questions – big or small. His experience with loss from a young age has provided him with comprehensible information on how to navigate and unmask grief. Professionally, Newhard can take the burden of planning off the table.

“The job field we are in has always had a pall of mystery over it, and it shouldn’t be mysterious. It’s just like any other job,” said Newhard. “We always encourage you to ask questions because there’s really no such thing as a dumb question to ask. Unless you ask, you won’t know.”

The winding road of grief is not linear. Some families curate advanced arrangements to remain more present during the proceedings. Others are thrown into preparations from a sudden or unexpected loss. While each circumstance comes with unique challenges, both share a common denominator – the loss of a friend or family member.

“We want to educate people as much as possible to understand what the funeral profession means and offers to people. We hope that, in doing what we do, we can adjust to and adapt to anybody’s situation and help them deal with that grief as best they can,” Newhard said.

Loss brings uncomfortable feelings, unanswered questions, and grief that looks different for everyone.

“We have seen so many different situations that we can empathize and sympathize with people. Even though we might not be licensed therapists, we’re here to talk to you. We’ve probably seen a very similar situation to yours,” said Newhard. “Let us know what’s going through your head, and we might be able to provide you with some insight.”

Though death can be sudden, planning for what comes next can be systematic. For some, it feels like another burden. Others may not have the emotional strength to face it alone.

“It’s something that we are all going to have to deal with at some point; it’s just a part of the human experience,” said Newhard. “If we cannot help, we work with different groups so that we can get people help if they need it. We have a couple of therapists that we can work with, or a lot of times we have church groups that will offer support, and we can point people in those directions.” 

Newhard and his team are there for your family when needed most. It is human to grieve, and taking on the burden of planning alone is not the answer.

“Studies show that having some form of support for most people does help with the grieving process,” said Newhard.

If you or a loved one has questions about preparing for the unexpected or grieving in the aftermath, consider Bartholomew Funeral Home, a local institution since 1892. Newhard and his team will graciously and carefully arrange services, walking you through the process and lending an ear for conversation.

Call Bartholomew Funeral Home at (219) 462-4102 or visit 102 Monroe St, Valparaiso, IN 46383. For more information, you can visit bartholomewnewhard.com.