Accepting the Loss of a Loved One

By: Vaughn Greene Funeral Services
Sunday, October 1, 2017

Losing a loved one can be a highly charged and traumatic time. Coping with the loss is a deeply personal but there are some universal elements to the bereavement process. Understanding these facets can help you to work through your grief and eventually come to acceptance.

Allow your feelings. The loss of a loved one brings up almost every emotion imaginable. It's important to understand that there is no "right" or "wrong" when it comes to your feelings about the passing of someone you dearly loved. Gently remind yourself that your feelings are yours, and you should feel no shame or guilt for them.


Don’t go it alone.  While there may be times when you'll want some alone time as you work through your loss, it's important to have a support group around you for those times when you feel especially sad, lonely, or vulnerable. Friends, family, a clergyperson, and perhaps a counselor, should all be accessed during your grief process. These individuals can be a tremendous source of emotional and physical support during your darkest hours.


Let yourself grieve. Bereavement and grief is a process. Everyone has his or her own way of coping with loss. You cannot put a time limit on your sorrow; you need to allow yourself to experience the stages of grief as they arise. In her famous book, On Death and Dying, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross outlined five stages of grief:

  1. Denial: At first, you find it impossible to believe the loss of your loved one is real, and you may be numb from the experience.
  2. Anger: As the truth of the situation begins to take hold, it's normal to feel anger and rage. This anger may be directed at yourself, the loved one for leaving you, doctors for not healing your loved one, or even at God.
  3. Bargaining: The normal reaction to feelings of helplessness and vulnerability is often a need to regain control, such as, “If only we had sought medical attention sooner…” or “If only I had been better to them…”
  4. Depression: The overwhelming sadness you feel is normal, and in most cases, will not last forever. It's common to feel as if life will never be the same because it never will be.
  5. Acceptance: Ultimately, you will come to terms with the finality of your loss and move forward with your life.

Keep in mind that each the stages are not necessarily experienced in order and they may be revisited from time to time. As you process your grief, however, the pain of your loss will become more manageable.

Embrace the memories. It takes a while to adjust to the loss of a major pillar in your life, but in time, you will be able to move forward without your loved one by your side. Keep a special place in your heart so that you can always remember the good times and the love you shared.

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

How Much Do You Really Know About Cold and Flu Season?

The chill of winter is in the air, and that means the cold and flu season can’t be far behind. You may think you're savvy about avoiding seasonal illnesses, but how much do you really know about h...

Funeral Food Fusion: Seven Tips for Combining Comfort and Culture

Through the act of breaking bread together, funeral food becomes a symbol of shared grief and strength. Amid loss, food is often used as a way to connect with one another, express sympathy, and he...

Military Funeral Traditions: Seven Ways to Remember America's Heroes on Veterans’ Day

Veterans’ Day presents an opportunity to express gratitude for those who have selflessly served in the United States armed forces. To ensure that the memory of these heroes lives on, it's fitting ...

The Best and Worst Sources of Protein, According to Nutritional Experts

From plant-based to animal-derived, sources of protein range from exceptional to the less-than-ideal. In the world of nutrition, protein is an undisputed superhero. It is essential for building mu...

Coping With Grief After Sudden Loss? Here are Seven Important Things to Know

Grief can engulf us when we least expect it, especially after the sudden loss of a loved one. This kind of grief is uniquely intense, plunging us into a confusing world where everything feels unfa...

Plan a Memorable Final Farewell with these Smart Fall Funeral Considerations

Surrounded by autumn's beauty and serenity, fall funeral planning offers special solace to the grieving. With its vibrant leaves and crisp air, autumn brings a sense of comfort, reflection, and no...

Experts Say These Eight Things Can Reduce High Cholesterol Levels

High cholesterol is a common health concern, but the good news is that there are ways to tackle it naturally. Heart disease continues to be a leading cause of death worldwide, and maintaining heal...

Returning to Work After a Loved One Passes: Eight Helpful Coping Strategies

When you are returning to work after a loved one passes away, it can be an emotional journey filled with uncertainty. If the prospect of heading back to your workplace after loss feels overwhelmin...

How Should You Choose the Day and Time of the Funeral?

When bidding farewell to a cherished family member or friend, one of the most significant decisions you’ll face is selecting the appropriate day and time of the funeral. Amid the emotional challen...

Celebrating National Alcohol & Drug Recovery Month

This September we celebrate National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month. Starting in 1989, National Recovery Month was coined to promote and support evidence-based treatment and recovery...