Losing someone you love can be extremely difficult. In order to help others get through such difficult time, the Parishioners at St Thomas More church have organized the New Day bereavement program. The said program, which has been part of the parish for almost 30 years, has been a great success for those who have participated. The bereavement program is focused on journaling apart from providing two primary benefits. Available at no cost, the program also comes with all the necessary materials. To learn more, visit darientimes.com.

Just like suffering, there are also different levels of grief. According to author Lysa Terkeurst, grief is a blanket that can one day be removed and tucked away. While the process may difficult, getting through such hard time can be possible with these tips. Listen to the person without judging or without giving advice. Acknowledge the person’s grief, validate it and let the person know that you understand what he or she is going through. Be supportive in any way you can. For more tips, click here.

While pain and grief can leave us feeling helpless, some consider grief ritual as a way of healing and preparing one’s mind, body and spirit to accept spirituality. According to Sobonfu Some, grief is not bad rather it is the lack of expression of grief that causes problems. If you or someone you know is grieving, below are some tips on how to establish your own grief ritual. –          Communicate your feelings with other people and take time to listen. –          Help others by making some food or listening to someone express his feelings. –          Seek professional help. For more tips, click here.

In times of loss and grief, helping someone dear to us such as a co-worker or a college friend go through with the pain doesn’t make the entire thing less difficult. While the process becomes increasingly common as we age, we need to learn to handle the grief as well apart from helping a friend cope with it. Below are the five stages of helping a friend handle grief. –          Acknowledging the situation. –          Saying something that would mean a lot to the person. –          Listening to the person while he shares his emotions. –          Doing something you say you will. For more tips, click here.

One of the most important things to remember about death is that there is no single, normal way to grieve. While people tend to push back those feelings, it is essential to communicate openly with the people around you.  Below are some tips on how to possibly explain death to children. –          Explain the immediate cause of death in a simple and honest manner. –          Communicate with the child and reassure him of his worries. –          Explain in simple terms why the person’s body has stopped working. –          Explain to the child who will take care of him. To learn more, click here.