5 Tips for Coping with a Loved One’s Death

How do you go on when your loved one is lying in a Guilderland, NY funeral home? How do you cope with a loss that big? These are challenging questions we all must answer at some point in our lives.

Contrary to popular belief, losing someone you love isn’t the end; it’s only the beginning of a new chapter in your life. Perhaps you feel numb or angry, or guilty about something that happened. Maybe there are things you wish you could change about how things ended.

Whatever your feelings may be at this moment, here are some ways to help you cope with losing a loved one:

1. Allow yourself to grieve

When someone you love dies, it is normal for you to feel a wide range of emotions. You might feel like crying, laughing, or screaming. You may feel numb or as if nothing matters anymore. The important thing is that you allow yourself to experience whatever emotions come up for you at this time.

Grief is a natural response to loss, but try not to keep your feelings bottled up inside – talk about them with someone you feel comfortable with when you can. You can also find other healthy outlets for your pain, such as journaling or keeping a memory box.

2. Find meaning in the life of the one who died

The death of a loved one can make us question our faith, values, and even our existence. We might ask ourselves, “why?” or “what was the point?” But no matter what questions we may have, the best we can do is to find meaning in the life of the one who died.

This can be difficult, but while we may not understand why a loved one had to die, the pain you feel at their loss gives their life meaning. The time you were able to be with and experience the person is something to be grateful for.

3. Keep your loved one’s possessions for now

Consider holding off on throwing out or giving away your loved one’s possessions. Keep them close, as the chance to reminisce about the times you had together might be helpful down the road.

If it’s too hard to look at these belongings often, set aside a special place for them that you can visit. You do not have to hold on to things that are too painful or too difficult for you to handle.

The point is to preserve the deceased’s memory, so try not to get too carried away with keeping everything that it becomes detrimental.

When you feel up to it, you can go through their things with a friend or family member. If you are unsure about what to do with certain items, take some time to think it over before making a decision.

4. Rely on support from others

No matter how strong we may be, death is extremely difficult to handle on our own. It leaves us feeling alone and hollow. At this time, it is important that we reach out for support from others.

Friends and family are a valuable resource at times like this. But you can also consider seeking out help outside of them in a support group, grief counselor, religious community, or therapist.

5. Create a memorial

A meaningful way to honor your loved one is to create a memorial in their honor. This can be as simple as planting a tree or donating to a deserving enterprise in the deceased’s name.

You could also have an event where family and friends gather, share memories, and celebrate your loved one positively rather than focusing on the sadness of the loss.

Planning these memorial rituals and actively partaking in them alongside other mourners is a productive way to channel your grief, which can be comforting.

In the end, please understand that your grief won’t let up overnight. The best you can do is give it time and find healthy ways to cope.

With this in mind, our funeral home in Guilderland, NY, offers resources to help get you through this period. You can access them before or after services with us. Call us today.