Dealing with the Loss of a Loved One in Your Family
Collaborative Post
Bereavement is something that most of us go through at a variety of points in our lives. We all deal with it in our own different ways. Despite this, there are a few things that every person experiencing a loss might benefit from, and that’s the right support.
Let’s take a closer look at grief, how it tends to manifest itself, and what we can do to support ourselves, and our loved ones, during these difficult times.
Understanding the Grieving Process
There’s a model for the psychological ‘stages’ or grief, made popular by the psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in the late sixties. These stages are, in order: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
Different people go through these stages at different rates. What’s important is that we recognise these feelings as normal when they arise, and that we are able to see what might be coming for us later on. Feelings of guilt, shock, and physical illness can manifest, too. Some people might even think they can see and hear the dead person, too.
The best way to cope with grief is to talk to other people, to spend time quietly reflecting, or to seek support. Getting the right amount of sleep, avoiding alcohol, and seeking a healthy creative outlet for your feelings might also be beneficial.
Accessing Emotional and Practical Support
It might be that you need extra help to get you through this chapter. The NHS provides a variety of talking therapies, many of which don’t require a diagnosed mental health condition. There are also charities, like Winston’s Wish, which provide dedicated bereavement support for children.
Handling Legal and Financial Matters
What can make bereavement particularly difficult is the fact that it is so often accompanied by formal duties involving the estate of the deceased. You might find yourself under pressure to get your legal matters sorted in the right way, which can impose a considerable mental and emotional burden.
Of course, the best approach in these situations is to enlist the aid of a solicitor who specialises in family law. Probate solicitors can provide essential guidance, and handle matters of this kind with the appropriate sensitivity.
Honouring and Remembering Your Loved One
A good way to make the death of your loved one meaningful is to create small rituals, and hold ceremonies that celebrate their life. This is the primary purpose of a funeral, but you might also hold memorials later on, and make a point of regularly visiting the grave.
Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash