Grief Support
Helping Yourself Heal When Someone Dies
If you’ve lost a loved one, you are now faced with a difficult yet important need: to mourn. Mourning is an essential part of healing. It allows for the open expression of your thoughts and feelings regarding the death and person who has died.
This journey is often frightening, painful, lonely, and overwhelming. This article offers practical and supportive suggestions to help you move toward healing during your personal grief experience.
Reaching Out For Help When You Are Grieving
Perhaps the most compassionate thing you can do for yourself at this difficult time is reach out for help from others.
Think of it this way: grieving may be the hardest work you have ever done. And hard work—getting through school, raising children, pursuing a career—is less burdensome when others lend a hand. Build a support system that will help you get through your grief, so you have someone to turn to when things get hard.
The “Mourner’s Six Reconciliation Needs”
There are six “yield signs” you are likely to encounter on your journey through grief. While grief will always be extremely personal, all mourners must yield to this set of basic human needs if they are going to find true healing.
The “Mourner’s Bill of Rights”
While it is important to accept help from others, that doesn’t mean you should allow others to steer you through your journey, especially when their advice is not helpful. You are the one who is grieving, and as such, you have certain “rights” that no one should try to take away from you.
