GRIEF AFTERCARE
Our Aftercare Department is committed to providing ongoing support to our families after the funeral service. We understand the importance of caring for you and your loved ones during the grieving process. Our team is available to offer grief support and provide information about programs designed for adults and children. We are here to stand beside you and help you as you cope with your loss.
No matter what we do to run from it, grief comes to visit us all. We can’t escape it, but we can learn tools to cope and heal.
To cope with the pain of losing someone, people often turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as overworking, excessive exercise, neglecting self-care, avoiding loved ones, denying the loss, substance abuse, overeating, and, at times, even self-harm. While these methods may provide temporary distraction, the pain eventually starts to affect other areas of our lives in a negative way, making it impossible to ignore.
When we give ourselves permission to experience and process our grief, we can come out of it with a deeper understanding, empathy, and optimism for the days to come. As we learn to accept the unbreakable bond we share with our loved ones, we can also cultivate effective coping mechanisms and emotional strength to aid us in moving forward on our journey.
Remember and celebrate the life of your loved one.
Grieving a loved one can be a painful and uncomfortable experience. Recalling memories of the person you have lost is an important part of the healing process. Talking about your loved one and keeping their memory alive can help you cope with their absence. Even though they may not be physically present, the love and memories you shared with them live on.
Take care of yourself.
- Take a walk
- Eat a properly balanced diet
- Be mindful of substance consumption
- Get adequate rest for your mind and body
Understand that grief is unpredictable.
Experiencing grief can make you feel like you have lost control, which can be an unsettling feeling and cause a lot of discomfort. It’s common to feel like the grieving process is unpredictable. You may find yourself crying unexpectedly, and intense emotions can surface without warning and take over any given moment during periods of grief. Give yourself the grace and freedom to embrace and accept your emotions.
Be patient with yourself.
Go easy on yourself. You may not be able to manage everything you are used to, but that is okay. Lower your expectations and remember that you are going through a stressful time physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Be mindful of others and their grief.
When you’re going through a period of grief, it can be difficult to remember that other people around you may also be grieving. This lack of understanding can make the experience of grief even more challenging, especially for children and teenagers. It’s important to try to be mindful of the grief and emotions that others are experiencing and to treat them with the same kindness and understanding that you would hope to receive yourself.
Seek out support.
Find someone who will listen to you without feeling they must solve your problems. Confide in someone who will let you express your bottled-up feelings so you can process them in a healthy manner. This person may be a family member, trusted friend, clergy, or even a professional grief counselor.
It is important to remember that even in the midst of grief, hope and healing are possible.
We understand that this is a difficult time for you and your family. If there is anything we can do to support you through your grieving process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 859-727-1250.
WHAT’S YOUR GRIEF
“What’s Your Grief” is a grief website dedicated to helping grievers and professionals navigate grief. They offer a variety of resources to help you and your loved ones on your grief journey and are the leaders in grief education. On their website, https://whatsyourgrief.com/ , you will find:
- Resources related to understanding and coping with grief and loss
- Guidance on how to help a grieving friend or family member
- Online courses about grief and supporting someone who’s grieving
- Resources, education, and training for grief counselors, grief volunteers, and other professionals working in fields related to grief and loss.
- A podcast about grief
- A supportive community
“What’s Your Grief” Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-your-grief-podcast-grief/id946757971?mt=2
“What’s Your Grief” Blog: https://whatsyourgrief.com/blog
Be sure to follow them on social media for daily encouragement and education.