Remembering Those Who Have Passed
When dealing with the loss of a loved one, everyone experiences grief differently. A lot depends on the circumstances of the death and the nature of the relationship. But at some point, you may want to talk about the person you have lost. And it is healthy to do so.
It is possible that friends and family will be resistant to this. They likely don't want to upset you or don't know what to say. Or perhaps they are uncomfortable talking about people who have passed and are processing or avoiding their own grief.
Many people feel they should keep their grief private, put on a brave face, or suppress it and move on. While it is important that grief doesn't consume you or become a destructive force in your life, it is a process that you must see through.
It is important that we talk about those who have passed for several reasons, depending on your beliefs.
It can help with the grieving process, keep their memory alive, teach others about the person you are grieving for, such as younger family members who may not remember or have known the departed, and can bring great joy.
I often long to talk about the people closest to me who have passed, yet friends and family can be reluctant. I want to talk about them as I want to remember them and share stories about what they did or who they were here on Earth. And if evoking their memory brings a tear to my eye, that's ok.
I urge anyone supporting someone else through grief to encourage them to talk about the departed. You can pose the question in a sensitive manner, and you will know immediately if they are ready to talk or not. If they are receptive, ask questions about what the person was like and how they lived.
For those who are grieving themselves, please reach out to someone for the support you need. There is no blueprint to grief and no timeframe for completion. In fact, I don't think grief is ever wholly complete. It just gets easier, but understandably, we will always miss those we have lost and wish for them to be with us.
There are many free support agencies for grief counselling.
Cruse Bereavement Support offers a free helpline as well as online support and advice.
Mind provides online support and a list of grief support agencies for different types of grief, for example, following the loss of a child.
The NHS page offers advice and contact information for similar support services.
Lastly, if you have lost someone but are struggling to find an outlet to talk about them, I would be happy to share a piece about them here on my website. You can use the contact form to get in touch and share any information you think is appropriate about your loved one, and I will post it here on my blog. It would be an honour to learn about your family and friends.
Love and Light ❤️
