When death hits close to home, it can be a harrowing and life-changing experience. One source notes that 61 million people around the world died last year. While that’s a sobering statistic, it hits differently if people near and dear to you were among those who breathed their last breath.
Death in the family circle provokes various emotions ranging from despair that a loved one is never coming home to happiness that the person is no longer suffering.
Photo by Gus Moretta on Unsplash
If you have experienced a loss in the family, consider these five ways to cope with the situation.
1. Give Yourself Time to Grieve
It’s often said that time heals all wounds. But that’s not true, exactly. It’s what you do with the time that can heal a heart broken by a loss in the family. You must give yourself time to heal. Don’t listen to possibly well-meaning people who want to put a time limit on your mourning.
The truth is that you’ll never get over the loss of a family member. But as you allow yourself the chance to heal, you’ll eventually have more good memories than bad ones. And the bad ones won’t hurt as much if you allow yourself to grieve and don’t bottle up your emotions.
2. Surround Yourself With Supportive People
A friend in need is a friend indeed. You can put that old saying to the test when dealing with the death of a family member. If there are people in your life you feel comfortable sharing your pain with, reach out to them. Good friends will call to see how you’re doing, stop by to touch base, or invite you to their homes to help get your mind off your suffering for a while.
Don’t be afraid to insist on alone time if you need it. If you’re an introvert, much of the grieving process will include alone time or time with close family members. You may or may not feel comfortable discussing your private affairs with anyone outside your inner circle.
3. Get Professional Help
If a loss in the family has you feeling depressed, you might need professional help. Speaking to a counselor can help you make sense of your loss and find new meaning in life. Your deceased loved one wouldn’t want you to wallow in sorrow for the remainder of your days. By seeing a therapist, you can get the necessary tools to move forward after a devastating loss.
4. Take Care of Yourself
Don’t allow grief to rob you of your health. Even when struggling to make sense of things, get enough sleep, eat good food in moderation, drink enough water, and exercise regularly. When body, mind, and spirit are in good shape, you’ll be better able to deal with the challenges in life.
It’s also vital to look out for family members who are grieving. People grieve differently, and some people may need more help coping than others. Be there for them as they are for you.
5. Gain Closure
One reason some people struggle during the grieving process is that they don’t get closure. Bottling up emotions, keeping a stiff upper lip, and pretending everything is okay won’t work. Closure can come through a funeral service, memorial, or celebration of life. It can also come through holding parties accountable if they contributed to a loved one’s death.
If your deceased family member died in a car accident or slip and fall incident, closure might mean a wrongful death lawsuit. While the deceased won’t benefit, a wrongful death case can hold the at-fault parties accountable and help your family move forward after a devastating loss.
A death in the family will impact family members in different ways. Consider these five recommendations for dealing with a loss so that you and yours emerge from the situation stronger and ready to move forward.
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