When the unthinkable happens and a loved one dies, there is a natural inclination to believe you will never be happy again. You may feel numb amid arrangements with a Michigan City, IN, funeral home, or for an extended period afterward, trying to navigate through the loss.
If this person was the primary source of your support system, it is likely that you are now struggling to figure out how to continue on without them. In addition to feeling grief-stricken, many people also experience anxiety about what will come next.
How do you move forward after losing someone so important in your life? Read on for some helpful advice on how to survive in the aftermath of a loved one’s death.
Take care of yourself
If you are grieving, it is common to want to isolate yourself. But this will only prolong your suffering. Instead, try to engage in activities that will help keep your spirits up.
For example, you might consider joining a grief support group or getting involved with a cause that was dear to the deceased.
Try not to dwell on what might have been or could have gone differently. Instead, focus on the good things about your relationship and remember why this person was so important to you.
If there is something that was important to your loved one that you didn’t get to do together, consider doing it now as a way of honoring them.
Make their funeral or memorial meaningful
Grief is debilitating because it doesn’t seem like there is much you can do about it. However, even in the thick of mourning, you can find solace in the rituals and ceremonies.
Whether you are having a full funeral or a private memorial for the deceased, you can gain a lot personally by participating actively in the final services. Starting from the planning stage, be intentional about every input of yours.
Channel your pain into actions that enable the day to go smoothly and make it an experience that propels others in mourning to comfort and healing. Think of this as a final gift to the deceased.
Don’t fight your feelings
It is natural to feel a range of emotions, like grief and anger, when someone dies. You can try to capitalize on the happy memories, but when it creeps in that you will never see them again, work on accepting that fact as well. Denial only prolongs the pain.
If you are having trouble coming to terms with your loved one’s death, try some of these tips:
- Write down your fondest memories of your loved one. This can be a great way to remember them while also providing a distraction from the pain.
- Spend time with other people who have lost loved ones. Just being around others who have experienced loss can help you cope with your feelings of grief and loneliness.
- Talk about your feelings when you feel up to it with someone who understands what you are going through, such as a friend or counselor.
- Take time for yourself, even if it’s just five minutes a day. Find something that helps you relax, whether it’s reading, taking a walk, or listening to music.
Preserve the memories
If there are things about the deceased that would just be too painful to see die with them, do what you can to make them live on. This can be as simple as investing in personalized permanent memorials or an ongoing effort to find ways to honor them in your day-to-day life.
You may also hold onto special items belonging to the deceased or other healthy things that help you find meaning in your current reality.
If you need to talk about your feelings with someone who understands what you are going through, visit our funeral home in Michigan City, IN. We have grief resources you may benefit from as you prepare for or after services with us. Call us now to know our privacy policy.