Grieving for a loved one is a very personal experience.
Losing someone we love can be one of the most difficult things many of us will ever face. It is often accompanied by sadness, anxiety, guilt and, of course an overwhelming sense of loss. These are all normal reactions. As these feelings arise, it’s important to remember that no two people are the same; everyone handles grief in difference ways.
There is no right or wrong way to mourn the loss of a loved one, and there is no set timeline for the grieving process.
It helps to understand…
Grieving leads to healing.
Whether you have experienced a loss or find yourself comforting someone who has, accepting and working through emotions are vital steps in the healing process. You may want to keep in mind these essential elements that help us cope with grief:
Time. Allow yourself, or the person you care about, the opportunity and the time to express emotions and work through the grief.
Support. A strong and caring network of family and friends or the assistance of a professional counselor or grief support group can bring comfort and security.
Physical well- being . Grief can cause physical as well as emotional stress. When someone is grieving, it’s very important to try to maintain as healthy a lifestyle as possible.
Hope . It will get better. Though it may seem that nothing will ever be right again, though time, and with emotional support and understanding, the healing process can take its natural course.
Children and grief:
Give brief concrete simple explanations
“Grandmas body has stopped working she can’t walk, talk, or eat any longer and she doesn’t feel any pain”
Encourage grieving with feeling talk
“It’s okay to be sad, and angry”
Avoid euphemisms be concrete.
"Grandma was very old and her body couldn't work anymore ."
Keep life normal as possible : Get up and go to bed on time, and eat meals on time, keep their schedule consistent.
Expect same questions over and over:
“Remember grandma died and she won’t be back. She won’t be here for your birthday but, we’ll remember her and think about her.”
Help child remember it not their fault
” I want you to know that your grandma’s death was not your fault. None of us did anything to make that happen. “
Express your own emotions.
“We’re so sad grandma isn’t with us and we miss her very much, but it’s comforting to know that she is with god now.”