Understanding: The Grief Process
You may find yourself busy immediately following your loved one’s death. It is important during this time to take things slowly and enlist the help of friends and family.
You can expect to experience grief for a long time. Be prepared for the possibility of unexpected feelings of bereavement months and even years after your loved one’s death. This is normal.
Grief is a normal, healthy, and human response to loss. It is painful and can seem unbearable at times. Many emotions come and go. The length and difficulty of the grieving process varies from person to person. Grief does not follow a timeline, but it does ease over time. This process can offer an opportunity for personal growth.
A mourning period of a year or more is quite normal, but society often finds it difficult to tolerate a person’s grieving for more than a week or two. Family, friends, and colleagues may become concerned or even impatient if the grieving continues.
Support from friends and family may decrease after the funeral/memorial service. You do not have to go through the grieving process alone. The River Valley Hospice Bereavement Team is available to you. They can offer support in any way you might find helpful.
If you need support immediately and have not heard from a member of our team, do not hesitate to call the River Valley Hospice office and express your need.
HEALING AND GROWTH
When ignored grief can continue to cause pain. It is important to recognize grieving, even though it is very difficult work. Allow yourself to feel all emotions that arise and be patient with yourself.
Realize your grief is unique
Get your rest
Journal
Meditate
Seek out friends who can encourage and support you
Get involved in a support group
Postpone all major decisions
Give in to your pain
Realize that grief has no timetable
Talk about your sorrow
Forgive yourself
Eat well and exercise
Indulge yourself by doing something that is frivolous and distracting that you enjoy
Prepare for holidays and anniversaries
Take steps to create a new life for yourself
Change traditions that may no longer be comfortable
