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Funeral home to help victims
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| JENNIFER CHASTEEN Sherrill-Guerry Funeral Home Administrator Karen Collins, Funeral Director James Curry, amd volunteer Richard Collins take in donations for hurricane victims at the Sherrill-Guerry Funeral Home. |
By TROY ROBERTS troberts@lakecityreporter.com
Relief efforts continue in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and Sherrill-Guerry Funeral Home in Lake City is sending help to Mississippi to deal with the dead.
"This disaster affects us personally, as we have funeral homes out there that have been destroyed that are a part of the Alderwood Group which we belong to," said Steve Green, funeral director at Sherrill-Guerry Funeral Home. "We can't stand idly by; we feel like we have to do something."
Alderwood Group is planning a combined effort from funeral homes in the areas of Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi, with each gathering supplies to be sent weekly. Along with the supplies, however, are going to be funeral directors and employees.
"We'll be doing several tasks," states James Curry, funeral director. "We'll be giving aid to those that need it, cleaning up hazardous materials that may be in local funeral homes that may be destroyed, and also working in our capacity with the deceased if authorities request it."
Currently in the affected areas, relief officials have been attempting to save those that are alive, leaving the deceased where they lay.
"Once out there, the state of Mississippi will give funeral directors emergency licenses to help with body removal and such," Green explained. "Then, we can begin the embalming process and identifying bodies if needed."
According to Green, groups of 14 from funeral homes in the Alderwood Group will be heading to the areas to offer services and supplies.
"We could be doing this for up to 2 months," Green said. "We plan on going once a week, leaving Sept. 1 and coming back on Sunday. A second group will leave on Tuesday, and then we'll continue rotating until our services are no longer needed."
Personnel aren't able to look forward to any luxury while they're out there, as they'll be making do with what Hurricane Katrina didn't destroy.
"We're going to be staying in a damaged funeral home," Green said. "Some of them were destroyed, but we're staying in one that is only damaged and are going to be trying to get it back online."
Supplies are desperately needed, and Administrator Karen Collins said that they plan on sending supplies out each week with personnel.
"Water is desperately needed," Collins said. "We have quite a bit, but it is only a small amount compared to the number that need it."
"This disaster affects us personally, as we have funeral homes out there that have been destroyed that are a part of the Alderwood Group which we belong to," said Steve Green, funeral director at Sherrill-Guerry Funeral Home. "We can't stand idly by; we feel like we have to do something."
Alderwood Group is planning a combined effort from funeral homes in the areas of Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi, with each gathering supplies to be sent weekly. Along with the supplies, however, are going to be funeral directors and employees.
"We'll be doing several tasks," states James Curry, funeral director. "We'll be giving aid to those that need it, cleaning up hazardous materials that may be in local funeral homes that may be destroyed, and also working in our capacity with the deceased if authorities request it."
Currently in the affected areas, relief officials have been attempting to save those that are alive, leaving the deceased where they lay.
"Once out there, the state of Mississippi will give funeral directors emergency licenses to help with body removal and such," Green explained. "Then, we can begin the embalming process and identifying bodies if needed."
According to Green, groups of 14 from funeral homes in the Alderwood Group will be heading to the areas to offer services and supplies.
"We could be doing this for up to 2 months," Green said. "We plan on going once a week, leaving Sept. 1 and coming back on Sunday. A second group will leave on Tuesday, and then we'll continue rotating until our services are no longer needed."
Personnel aren't able to look forward to any luxury while they're out there, as they'll be making do with what Hurricane Katrina didn't destroy.
"We're going to be staying in a damaged funeral home," Green said. "Some of them were destroyed, but we're staying in one that is only damaged and are going to be trying to get it back online."
Supplies are desperately needed, and Administrator Karen Collins said that they plan on sending supplies out each week with personnel.
"Water is desperately needed," Collins said. "We have quite a bit, but it is only a small amount compared to the number that need it."
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| JENNIFER CHASTEEN/Lake City Reporter |
. wrote on Jan 30, 2008 11:01 AM: