b'oMental health and medical communities and grief support organizationsTo plan for student, staff, and community needsArrange for outside trauma responders, if necessary, and brief them as they arrive on scene.FuneralCommunicate with the funeral director about logistics for students and staff attending the services, includingthe need for crisis counselors and/or security to be present at the funeral.Encourage the family to hold the funeral off of school grounds and outside of school hours if at all possible.Be sensitive to the needs and wishes of different religious, ethnic, and racial groups that may be involved inthe funeral.When possible, discuss with the family the importance of communicating with clergy/religious leaders, orwhoever will be conducting the funeral, to ask if they are comfortable mentioning something about thestruggles the student was having. When appropriate, include mental health concerns. While ultimately this isthe family and religious leaders decision, an informed discussion should occur where the family and religiousleader are made aware of the benefits of providing this information as a way to promote understanding aboutsuicide as well as to reduce possible contagion.Depending on the familys wishes, help disseminate information about the funeral to students, parents, andstaff, including:oLocationoTime of the funeral (keep school open if the funeral is during school hours)oWhat to expect (e.g., whether there will be an open casket)oGuidance regarding how to express condolences to the familyoPolicy for releasing students during school hours to attend (i.e., students will be released only withpermission of parent, guardian, or designated adult)oProcedures for staff who want to attend (i.e., excused time away, getting substitute teachers)Work with school mental health professionals and community mental health professionals to arrange forcounselors to attend the funeral.Encourage parents to accompany their child to the funeral.Media RelationsDesignate a media spokesperson to field media inquiries using the tool Key Messages for MediaSpokesperson.Prepare a media statement.Advise staff that only the media spokesperson is authorized to speak to the media.Advise students to avoid interviews with the media.Refer media outlets to Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide.After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools|11'