Losing a loved one isn’t something easy to deal with, and it can take a toll on your mental health. It’s therefore important to have an action plan that can help you come to terms and recover. Here are some helpful ways in which you can come to terms with losing a loved one and avoid the mental turmoil that tends to accompany such events.
Seek Support if You Need It
As mentioned, grieving isn’t an easy thing for anyone. As such, you shouldn’t feel ashamed of yourself if you need help and support. If the funeral home you’re using offers grief counseling for families, take full advantage of it. This is because grief counseling can help you find the right tools to help you grieve better.
A good grief counselor is going to talk to you about your feelings and make it easier for you to process them. In this way, you may find it easier to come to terms with your loss. Note that 84% of consumers, according to Research Gate, have sent sympathy flowers at least once. You may be on the receiving end this time. In this case, it’s a good idea for you to know how to deal with the situation and accept people’s good wishes with grace.
Surround Yourself with Supportive People
Next, it’s important to stay in the company of supportive people. They’re going to help you have an easier time dealing with your emotions. Friends and family can all be supportive, so it’s a good idea for you to make sure that you’re not alone with your thoughts at this time. Do this while keeping in mind the results of bereaved people who were asked how much help they got from various rituals associated with funerals and death.
83% of responders said that friends and family helped them a great deal, while 60% said they got support from receiving sympathy cards. A final 54% said they felt better when they received sympathy flowers. From this, it’s clear that people can find support in different rituals and other practices surrounding funerals. People who understand your grief may have an easier time offering you the support that you need.
Take Time to Grieve
Remember that it’s important for you to take time to grieve, as doing so may help you come to terms with the situation. Don’t try to mask your feelings or rush through the stages of grieving. Keep in mind that people have different coping mechanisms and they don’t have to be identical. Each year, across the nation, roughly 2.4 million funerals take place, according to PolicyGenius. This means that you may have come across a person or two who were grieving at some point. You shouldn’t compare your grieving style to theirs. Going through the emotions may help you come to terms with your loss and handle it a lot better.
Hold a Viewing if You Can
Last but not least, find out if it’s possible to hold a viewing for your loved one. This is a great way to help you come to terms with your loss if you can afford it. When you and other loved ones view the departed’s body before burial or cremation, it becomes harder to hold on to denial and other emotions that don’t help with the process. That said, it’s good to prepare yourself mentally for this if it’s going to happen.
With these methods, you can come to terms with the loss of a loved one in a way that doesn’t negatively impact your mental health. Don’t try and compare yourself to anyone else or set a deadline for your emotions. Allow things to take their natural course and you may emerge stronger from the other side.
Elor McDori
