Feb 9, 20222 min read

A difficult situation is facing loss of a loved one

Updated: Feb 24, 2022

"You will always be remembered"

Bereavement is the grief and mourning experience following the death of someone or something important to you this could be human or animal.

Stages of grief: (which are all normal reactions)

Shock - Even if a death was expected.

Overwhelm - The intensity can hit at any time

Relief - After a long illness, which can also trigger guilt

Anger - If you felt someone was taken too soon, hadn't seen them much before they died, or angry with the person for dying.

Each of these feeling will pass in time.

It takes time to help you come to terms with your loss and begin to heal:

Give yourself time. Accept your feelings and know that grieving is a process.
Talk to others. Spend time with friends and family. ...
Take care of yourself. ...
Return to your hobbies. ...
Join a support group.

What grieving does to your body?

Grief increases inflammation, which can worsen health problems you already have and cause new ones. It batters the immune system, leaving you depleted and vulnerable to infection. The heartbreak of grief can increase blood pressure and the risk of blood clots.

How can you make grieving easier? Tips for dealing with grief

Accept some loneliness. Loneliness is completely normal, but it is important not to get too isolated. ...
Choose good company. ...
Be gentle with yourself. ...
Get extra rest. ...
Embrace all emotions. ...
Set a regular sleep schedule. ...
Move your body. ...
Talk to your doctor.

** inserts taken from

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/grief/coping-with-grief-and-loss.htm

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/grief-whats-normal-whats-not-and-13-tips-to-get-through-it/

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/grief-bereavement-loss/

Journal your grief

Where to go for help?

Cruse Bereavement Care cruse.org.uk 0808 808 1677

Hope Again hopeagain.org.uk 0808 808 1677

Macmillan Cancer Support macmillan.org.uk 0808 808 0000

Sue Ryder sueryder.org

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy bacp.co.uk

Celebration of Life

Death – if this could be a celebration of how life was lived, a good life, filled with love, memories, kindness and honour and the positives they left behind.

The importance of celebrating life is reflected in: physical and mental health, community and family relationships and a healthy self-concept.

A recent family bereavement enabled me to create a memories book to celebrate their life which I found cathartic and peaceful to remember the life they lived.