Dear FRONTLINE,
I watched the show approximately 2 weeks prior to the death of my grandmother. Shortly after my brother called to tell me that she had passed away, I watched the show again via your website. As with the first time I watched, I couldn't help but be reminded and comforted about the need for funerals.
My grandmother's funeral brought some closure for me relative to the health issues she suffered the past several years. I encouranged other members of my family to watch the show online. My hope is that they will find some understanding of how my grandmother's death affected me and what this documentary meant to me.
Thanks,
Adam Reiff
Westfield, IN
Dear FRONTLINE,
Having grown up in a small town in Michigan, the Lynchs reminded me of my home town undertaker family who were as important to the community life as any of the town leaders and clergy.
This Frontline was singularly one of the best. The sincerity of Thomas Lynch and his entire family who take part in this important part of the circle of life was evident in every aspect of their contact with these families. It was moving without being sentimental. It took a great deal of courage, particularly for the young couple, to expose their life to the audience.
I applaud you.
Paul Johnson
CEDAR KNOLLS, NJ
Dear FRONTLINE,
I too happened upon "The Undertaking" soon after it came on and I was captivated by this outstanding documentary. A very sensitive and challenging topic was dealt with beautifully, with great insight and reverence. Thank you to all the families that shared their stories. I so wish I lived in Michigan in order to be able to have the Lynches nearby -- what a truly wonderful funeral home and intelligent, caring professionals.
Frontline should win awards for this important program, which I consider a must see in today's world where death and dying are misunderstood and stigmatized.
Glenn Troost
East Hampton, New York
Dear FRONTLINE,
Can a copy of Frontline's The Undertaking be placed in the yet to be created packet given to every adolescent as he or she passes through the portal into adulthood? No program on the excellent Frontline before or since has or will surpass The Undertaking. It is perfection in every way.
Jean Berlowitz
Corvallis, Oregon
Dear FRONTLINE,
Dear Frontline folks,
Thank you so much for this moving tribute to the Verrinos; and for sharing more of the vision and work of Thomas Lynch and his family. My wife and I were deeply touched, and reminded of the death of our infant daughter, Rebecca. The death of a child is probably the worst thing one can go through, and I can't imagine getting through it without the kind of deep faith that the Verrinos seem to have. After Rebecca died, I was supported by family and friends, and by the vision of our friend, Fr. Henri Nouwen, who happened to be writing a wonderful little book about death at that time, "Our Greatest Gift". Henri encouraged me to write about the experience, so I did. Writing "Rebecca: A Father's Journey from Grief to Gratitude", was, I think, God's way of helping me find hope in the tragedy.
I hope that in the same way, Nevada and Anthony Verrino will always feel supported and encouraged by their beautiful participation in this Frontline masterpiece. Thanks so much!
Robert A. Jonas
Northampton, MA
Dear FRONTLINE,
What a great show .. i grew up as a litle girl going to several family funerals .. but nobody talks about it really .. We just don't want to go their. I did not feel sad but i looked at it as a new beginning .. and makes me think about how i want to be laid to rest .. thank you PBS ..
Mountain View , Ca. 94141, Ca.
Dear FRONTLINE,
I hope that the Verrinos may read this. I went through a similar situation with my first daughter, born in 2000. She was with us for 11 months, all but 2 days of that spent in hospital. Looking back I can see that I should have tried to be more like you in confronting her death. We tried so hard, and put her through so much to try to keep her alive. Of course at the time I guess it seemed best. What I would like to say to you is this: Your grief will never go away, but after a time that in itself becomes a comfort. It might sound strange, but there is beauty in mourning and knowing that the connection between you and your child will never be broken, even through death. Peace to you and thank you for sharing your story. Death, especially of a child, is so buried and hidden and I don't believe that it is healthy to ignore or brush aside such a basic simple part of our existence. You helped some people to realize that.
Valerie Margand
Petaluma, California
Dear FRONTLINE,
My mom and I were fortunate to get hospice services for my dad after he was diagnosed with late stage liver disease. This program was a reminder to me that hospice services helps those very ill as well as their close family members and caregivers. Learning more about what happens during the Undertaking process helped me see it as something more natural and less ominous.
Janet Nazario
Bronx, NY
Dear FRONTLINE,
I watched the program on your website in the early hours this morning after losing my Uncle so tragically the same day.I was scared to believe the horror stories envisaged by my nightmares of death.I soon realised after watching your film a heartful warmth in which way the dead are looked after and the processes in which they are prepared.I now have a comforting thought to believe that my Uncle will be respected in the same manner nd would like to thankyou for sharing this film in easing my torment.Thankyou with love.
Donna Anderson
Aberdeenshire, UK
Dear FRONTLINE,
Once again you have been able to portray a deeply sensitive topic with eloquence and beauty. Wonderful. Good job Frontline.
H Hadi
Calgary, Canada
Dear FRONTLINE,
I spend my days teaching writing, the manipulation of language, but tonight all words fail. They are all hollow and empty. I don't think I've ever been so moved and so touched by a television show.
Thank you for showing a side of death and living that Americans don't like to think about. So many of us are not afraid to die and are not afraid to let go of this life, but we are in the minority. Thanks to The Undertaking we may be better understood by our loved ones and our community.
Brett James
Denver, Colorado
Dear FRONTLINE,
I can't help but think about little Anthony and how lucky he was to be born to the Verrino's and that is one thing we must remember when faced with the saddeness of losing a loved one. Any other parent could have been chosen to parent this child and they were chosen for Anthony. Listening to them share their Anthony with the rest of us showed me why they had been chosen for this monumental task.
I will never forget them and will often pause and think of little Anthony which, in its way, is one of the greatest things they could achieve.
Edith Laryea
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Dear FRONTLINE,
A lovely program dealing with the grief we all will experience at some time.
As a hospice nurse I am awed by the amazing families that care for their loved ones at the end of life.I see so many patients that are referred to hospice at the "last minute" by doctors who won't refer till the patient is at the very end of life.
Hospice can offer so much support for caregivers early on and prepare everyone for a peaceful death and of course help with bereavement after death.
Nan Fetters
Mt. Pleasant, SC
Dear FRONTLINE,
Thank you Frontline for this extraordinary film. I was deeply moved, especially by the story of little Anthony John Verrino.
Expecting a 60 Minutes-type show about what a rip-off the Funeral Industry is, I instead was treated to a beautiful, poetic film concerning acceptance and unconditional love. I cherish a Mother Teresa medallion I own whose back face shows only the simple quote "I See God in Every Human Being..." I believe "The Undertaking" shows how this philosophy relates to everyday, ordinary poeple everywhere. Thank you again for a wonderful program I will remember for a long time.
Bob Golen
Fairborn, Ohio
Dear FRONTLINE,
Thank you, Frontline, for taking the risk to let the American Public see almost firsthand what happens to our loved ones once we release them to the Undertaker. It has, for the most part, been a mystery to me.
Your sensitive handling of the embalming process, the application of make up and placement of the facial features certainly helped eliminate questions I have had for many years.
Having lost my Mother just two weeks before this program aired, it has an especially warm, and meaningful message for me. I appreciated your letting the viewer know that yes, we could attend a cremation and make that process sacred as well.
Mr. Lynch's book is my next purchase. His prose/poetry regarding the death process was startlingly beautiful and honest. Blessings on Mr. Lynch and his Sons and upon all of those who deliver such delicate and compassionate care to those who go before us.
Virginia Fenner
Oklahoma City,, Oklahoma
Dear FRONTLINE,
Dear Frontline and all who participated in this story
I was deeply moved by your words and even more so by the reverence and holiness I found in your stories and actions. I had the great privilage to be with my grandfather when he passed, and at the time I was greatly troubled and conflicted with being there to witness what I had imagined to be a horrible thing.
I can now see the grace and beauty and can still feel the peace that I was able to witness. I hope that others who view your stories can gather some of your peace and be less afraid. Thank you for this.
sarah curran
Cumberland, RI
