During times of grief, funeral homes are often an unappreciated service. A Brookhaven church is hoping to change that.

Grace Community Church will host a reception Sunday to show its appreciation for the funeral service providers in Lincoln County.

The event will take place at 3 p.m. at the Lincoln County Civic Center on Beltline Drive under the title “The Un-sung Heroes of Comfort.”

“When our loved ones come into the world, we want the very best for them, and when they leave we still want the best for them,” Phillip Sterling, founding pastor of Grace Community Church, said.

Sterling said people honor the doctors and medical personnel who have the first contact with loved ones but seldom honor those who have the very last contact with family members.

Sterling said the idea came during a Bible study about compassion and thinking about people going through hardships. He said during funerals the people who lost loved ones get condolences, but people who work in funeral homes have to remain professional during the emotional event.

“They don’t get a chance to cry or grieve. They are always there. They always have that smile, and they still have to maintain that air of professionalism,” Sterling said.

He said he came up with the idea and the congregation “was just more than willing to come up with some way to tell them thank you.”

“I just mentioned it, they took it and ran with it,” he said.

The congregation began planning the event, which included inviting funeral service providers and getting donations.

Helen Grice, member of Grace Community Church, said they’ve gotten a good response for donations.

“We look for the need,” Sterling said. “That’s what our ministry has been about and that is the direction God wanted our church to go.”

Grace Community Church started in 2009 in Brookhaven. When the congregation outgrew its original space they found a larger location on Ingrid Street.

“We’re grateful to live in a community that has so many caring people. Sometimes you never hear about that,” Sterling said.

He said the compassion here crosses religious and racial lines.

“If there’s a need, this community will reach out,” Pastor Sterling said.