As a funeral director, Pamela Reber Jones is all too familiar with grief. Through her work, she helps grieving families process the loss of a loved one and honor lives well-lived. When her own mother passed away after being cared for by Mercy Health — New Life Hospice, she saw the importance of end-of-life care.

“Not everybody has the opportunity to have a proper goodbye with their loved ones,” she says. “People need time to grieve and to say things that they wanted to say to the person.”

Her experience is why Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral and Cremation Services is a sponsor of the annual Hospice Walk in Lorain. The event benefits patients and families coping with tough times.

“I think it’s so important for people at the end of their life to be able to be comfortable and at peace. Not only is it important for the person who’s passing away, but for the family to be able to share in that experience,” she says.