Page 26 - Bereavement Guide Book

What can you do

Acknowledge and express your feelings. Listen to yourself and go forward at your
Grief can be confusing. Sadness, anger, fear own pace. Don’t be surprised when grief
and guilt are some of the most common shows up again. Just when you think you
emotions. You may feel nothing at all or feel might be doing better, you may find yourself
them all at the same time. Do not be afraid of crying in the grocery store or when you hear
the intensity of your emotions. Mood swings a specific song on the radio. Anger and guilt
are normal. can strike anywhere at any time. Forgive
yourself for living when your loved one did
Guilt can be one of the hardest emotions to not.
dealwith and it may last a long time. Self
blame and doubt add to the pain of grief. This Find yourself
can make it difficult to share with others.
Talking about your feelings or keeping a Grief has changed your life completely. You
journal often helps you gain perspective and cannot go back to being who you were. You
insight. There are no right or wrong feelings can learn to live with who you are now. Most
in grief, there are just your feelings. bereaved people experience a change of
perspective and discover that their priorities
Take control It is important at this time to do change. Now is a time to take a personal in-
things that can give you back some sense of ventory and reassess your beliefs and values.
control. You will be faced with making many You may find great comfort in your faith
decisions. Begin slowly. Handle projects community as you look for meaning. You
in small increments of time. This will help will discover new strengths and talents. Trust
build your confidence and prove that you are your heart.
making progress.
Find ways to remember the life of your loved
Put the clothes away when you are ready. Do one daily. You do not have to say goodbye.
not let others push you to make decisions you It is important to acknowledge the change
are uncomfortable making. in your relationship. You do not stop loving
someone jsut because they have died. You
As you are getting your finances in order, get can still maintain a relationship in your heart.
your other affairs in order too. Change in- They are a part of who you are and who you
surance beneficiaries. Check your health and are becoming.
other insurance policies. Discuss your own
funeral arrangements with your family and Reach out to others Learn to ask for what you
funeral director. Taking care of life’s “paper- need . Your family and friends want to help,
work” can help restore a sense of control and so let them know how.
give you peace of mind. Turn to people you can trust for support and
for information. Find people who will listen
Be patient with yourself when you want to talk. Leave the scrapbook
or photo album out on the coffee table so
Grieving takes time. It takes far longer than others can remember and share memories
anyone expects, particularly you. You really with you.
don’t ever get over it but you can get through
it. This loss is a part of your life. Be assured, You may want to talk to others who are
you will not always feel as you do right now. grieving, consider joining a support group.

Page 26 | Peace and Tranquility Funeral Home