Holiday Grief

vfunerals • November 28, 2016

A poem about missing someone at christmas

Grief and any feelings of loss about someone we love is the toughest during the holiday season. Grief and the grieving process are different for every individual. Here are some helpful suggestions that may just help you get through the holidays and may help you move forward in the grieving process of Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.

-Do things to remember your loved one. Make a donation to a meaningful charity, volunteer your time or talents in either your loved one’s or your favorite organization or charity in their memory.

-Make time for yourself. Taking care of yourself (physically and emotionally) is very important. Some days will be tough so take time to recharge yourself. Take a day away in reflection while you do something that brings you relaxation (i.e.: take a walk, get a manicure and pedicure, go to the library, get a massage, go to movie). Take time for yourself when you need it, but don’t isolate yourself from everyone that cares. Isolation may cause cause the feelings of grief to intensify.

-Give yourself permission to say “no”. People try to help by inviting you to events or dinners, which is thoughtful. Don’t feel obligated to say yes to everything – make sure you do what is right for you. Some people wear themselves out by staying busy to avoid or ignore the feelings about the loss. If you need rest – rest.

-Change some holiday traditions. Don’t change everything all at once, but give yourself permission to make new traditions. Some ideas may be to attend Christmas services or go to Christmas events you have not attended before, prepare new dishes for dinners, or add new decorations.

-Do something for others. Help a family in need of gifts or food or help serve dinners at a church or shelter. Giving to others is a great way to get out of ourselves and improve our emotional state.

– Express your feelings. Talk to a religious leader or therapist or write in a journal. There are some Grief Support Groups you can attend online or in person that will remind you that you are not alone when it comes to the feelings of loss and grief. If you express and talk about your feelings or things that help you to cope with loss, you may find yourself helping someone else move forward in their grief or you may learn something to help you.

Death of a loved one is never easy no matter the time of year. All we can do is take steps forward to take care of ourselves for our family and friends.

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Religion/Faith/Beliefs: The Decline in Funeral Services

By vfunerals • November 30, 2016

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By vfunerals • November 16, 2016

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By vfunerals • November 10, 2016

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By vfunerals • November 1, 2016

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Stories of Funeral Director- Story 1

By vfunerals • October 25, 2016

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By vfunerals • October 25, 2016

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Death, Grief and a Funeral Director

By vfunerals • October 21, 2016

Death and grief can be traumatic and life altering. Death of a loved one and how we cope with it is important. The grief process can only start with viewing and being able to face the reality that a person we loved is not coming back to us. Every single person handles grief in a different way. I strive for a individual or a family to a have a chance to see a loved one and start the process of moving forward after a death by saying “goodbye” and facing the reality that the death has happened. As a funeral director, I believe my three main goals are: to use as much time as it takes to make a viewing of their deceased loved one the best it can be; to make the service as personalized in rememberance of the deceased and for the family; and to get a family or an individual moving forward in the grieving process.