New Initiative Provides Grief Counseling for DuPage Coroner’s Deputies

County Board member Tony Michelassi (D-District 5) is working to make things better in DuPage County.  

New Initiative Provides Grief Counseling for DuPage Coroner’s Deputies

 

Wheaton … In an effort to help people cope with grief and mourning following the death of a loved one, the DuPage County Board recently allocated $2,500 for grief counseling for the Coroner’s staff.

 

Prompted by personal events, County Board member Tony Michelassi (District 5) worked with DuPage County Coroner Dr. Richard Jorgensen on the initiative to train deputy coroners in grief counseling.

 

“My family has experienced two instances where there was a death at home and a coroner’s department in another county was involved. In both cases, my relatives thought there was something missing with the way their local coroner’s deputies handled the situation. Obviously these are scenes with extreme emotions and I thought it was important to give our DuPage deputy coroners the tools to help families manage their grief,” said Michelassi.

 

Coroner Jorgensen said the new initiative will allow 10 of his employees to receive grief counseling training.

 

“I greatly appreciate the County Board’s proactive approach in providing additional grief counseling for the deputy coroners. While I firmly believe our staff is extremely professional, I welcome the opportunity for them to enhance their skills as they help families during some very difficult times,” said Jorgensen.