BEFORE WE streamed our music and subscribed to an infinite number of podcasts, local radio kept us company in our vehicles, on our jobs, and around our homes. The station’s broadcasters weren’t just a voice; they were friends. Whether or not we ever met in person, we welcomed them into our lives and depended upon them for our favorite tunes, the latest news, and community events. We could turn them off anytime we wanted, but they were still there, working and waiting for us.
When Hope DeJarnatt took her first job at WYTM-FM, she had no idea her experiences would become the foundation of her future career.
“In a small town, radio is an important information source to the community and to company listeners. I had an on-air shift, which I enjoyed,” DeJarnatt shared. “You’re able to build relationships with your listeners. There were people you talked with every day and quickly became friends. Some you never meet face to face, but you share a bond.”
Programming wasn’t the heart of her job. It was people.
“You cannot imagine how many people I talked to each day. When you’re in people’s homes and lives on an almost daily basis, it creates a unique connection,” she said.
In 2009, DeJarnatt accepted a position at Higgins Funeral Home. And while it may not seem obvious, her work with radio proved invaluable.
“When I was given the opportunity to work with the Higgins family, it didn’t take long to realize I had a passion for serving and helping others in a different but similar nature. It’s all about connecting with people.”
As with radio, DeJarnatt and the staff at Higgins Funeral Home quietly wait for us until we need them. They offer us a listening ear and a caring heart in our darkest times, providing services for our loved ones and care beyond the burial. DeJarnatt is Higgins’ After Care Counselor.
She explained, “We realized there is so much more we want to offer our community in addition to funeral services. We started an aftercare program, which we are still growing and building upon today. We try in every way to make sure that the families we serve have everything they need to move forward after a loss.”
The need for grief support was significant, and it prompted DeJarnatt and her husband, Dr. Dan DeJarnatt, to become trained Stephen Ministers.
According to the website for Stephen Ministries, Stephen Ministers are lay congregation members trained to provide one-on-one care to those experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or relocation.
DeJarnatt said, “My husband, Dan, and I decided to go through training in Stephen Ministry with our local Fayetteville First United Methodist Church. This equipped us with so many tools to better serve and walk alongside people who need a listening ear. At Higgins, we are also fortunate to have Andrea Delap, who is also going through Stephen Ministry, and Joe Self, who is a family service counselor.”
Higgins’ aftercare program includes a grief support group, individual grief counseling, a grief resources library, and online grief resources. While no two people grieve the same way, coming together with others in similar circumstances often lightens the burden. The grief support group offers such a space.
“With training and prayer, we offered our community ‘Beyond Sorrow,’ a safe place to share your feelings with others on a similar journey. The group is open to anyone who has had a loss. We meet on the fourth Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. at Higgins Funeral Home,” she said.
Carol Foster, who assists with each Beyond Sorrow meeting, makes everyone who comes in feel welcomed and settled before the meetings start.
Clay Higgins, one of the funeral home’s owners, expressed his appreciation for DeJarnatt’s contributions to the home’s services.
He said, “Hope’s ability to anticipate the needs of others has significantly expanded our aftercare and grief support programs beyond our expectations. She is truly one of a kind, and we are thankful to have her as part of our team at Higgins Funeral Home.”
DeJarnatt and those at Higgins further serve the community through educational workshops on future planning. Bingo at the local senior center is a monthly bright spot for both the players and the Higgins staff leading the game.
And although she’s always been a good listener, DeJarnatt’s time with Higgins broadens her insight.
“I believe it’s made me better understand that each family that loses a loved one has a story to tell. They all have lost in a different way — a husband, father, mother, brother, sister, and even a child. Taking the time to listen helps you to better celebrate the life of the one they all loved,” DeJarnatt reflected.
Like the voices of the airwaves, DeJarnatt and the Higgins Funeral Home staff are there for us, ready when we turn to them. While the goal is to bless families experiencing loss, it’s a reciprocal service.
“I’m truly blessed to walk alongside the families we serve. It’s a ministry to me. I feel privileged to be a part of such a caring group of people whose main goal is helping others.” GN
