A normal emotional response to the death of a loved one, grief is primarily an individual experience. Because of this, it sometimes ends up affecting the relationships among people closest to the deceased negatively. The rift often stems from one person trying to impose on another his own way of grieving. In order to avoid any problem that stems from this scenario, communicate your feelings with loved ones and co-grievers, and make it a point to listen to their own sentiments as well. To learn more, click here.

Columbia University psychiatry professor M. Katherine Shear, MD speaks of grief as “a shorthand word for a complex, time-varying experience that is unique for each person and each loss.” As it is a normal response to loss, it does not count as a disorder. However, according to the American Psychological Association, “broad changes to all personal relationships, a sense of meaninglessness, a prolonged yearning or searching for the deceased, and a sense of rupture in personal beliefs” can mark the beginning of complicated grief, which resembles but is not exactly the same as depression. To learn more, click here.  

Grief is naturally a difficult process. Fortunately, there are loving friends and relatives who can make the experience bearable. Here are 8 pointers to consoling a grieving loved one: Let go of time expectations Recognize the stages of grief Variables to grief Resist telling them how strong they are Offer the bereaved ways to memorialize Ask them what they need Continue to check in on them Recommend help To learn more, check out Your Tango’s 8 Tips to Help Console a Grieving Friend.

In the hopes of providing people dealing with the death of a loved one an outlet to process grief, the program called “Spouse/Partner Loss” was initiated. According to Denise Cole, grieving coordinator at Home Health United of Southwest Health Center in Platteville, the program consists of a series of grief support sessions that aim to explore the unique issues associated with such powerful loss. During the sessions, facilitators are going to share different ways of grieving together. Participants will also have an opportunity to talk and share their emotional concerns. To learn more, check this link.

When a friend of yours or someone you know loses someone they love, it’s quite impossible for you to know what to do for them. Perhaps, there are no words that would make them feel better however there are certain things that you can do to help them get through such taxing situation. Here are ways to help someone dealing with a loss of a loved one. –          Write something memorable in their card such as a prayer of comfort. –          Prepare meals for them or clean their house. –          Give them your phone number and let them know that they can call you anytime. –          Check on them regularly. To learn more, click here.

If are friend of yours lost someone he loves so dearly, there are probably no words that can help take a away the pain or make him feel better at least. Remember that each person deals with death and grief differently which is why it is important that you consider your words carefully before you talk to the person. Here are some common reactions to death that you must avoid. “I know exactly how you feel because I have been in your shoe once.” “He or she is in a better place now. Remember that everything happens for a reason.” “It’s been a year since he/she died so maybe it’s time that you move on.” To learn more, click here.  

People who feel lost after the death of a loved one often feel that they’re somehow grieving the wrong way. According to experts, there is actually no wrong way to grieve. Having anxieties about grieving and how to move on are pretty normal when a person lost a loved one. Here are some thoughts everyone dealing with grief and coping up. Should these feelings of grief be over now? It is normal to feel angry, guilty, shameful, sad and numb? If I don’t feel sad, does that mean I’m not grieving? Does anger means grief? To learn more, click here.

Grief is a normal response to loss. However, for other people who are not in the same shoes as the bereaved, it can be difficult to get a good perspective of the latter’s experience, and this often leads their intentions to be wrongly interpreted. Misunderstandings regarding the motives of a concerned relative or friend can cause a toll in his relationship with the bereaved. To avoid these mix-ups, the former has to remember to be sensitive and listen to the person undergoing grief. To learn more, click here.

Denial is part of the process of grief. Therefore, it should not alarm concerned loved ones when a bereaved starts exhibiting this symptom. However, according to an article from Grief Healing, denial and disbelief can become a problem when “it is used deliberately to avoid the reality of death or to escape the emotions resulting from a loss”. Here are some things to remember on coping with denial: Understand that denial serves a normal function. Make it your goal to acknowledge the truth. Denial only becomes an issue if it interferes with your ability to function normally. To learn more, click here.

  For many pet owners, the death of a furry companion is just as upsetting as losing a family member of a close friend. Usually, the weight of grief felt is proportional to the role played by the pet in the person’s life. While it is important to remember that people grieve in different manners, there are certain things that everyone should keep in mind, such as that grief happens gradually and cannot be forced or hurried, and that negative emotions are normal reactions to the loss. Click here to learn how to deal with pet loss.