Whether you have a loved one who has been ill for a while, or they are taken away suddenly, it’s never easy to deal with death. You’ll no doubt be left with a lot of questions and be wondering how you’re going to cope. It can be harder when you’re a parent too and juggling things like work and childcare while still grieving. Here are some steps you should consider taking when a close family member dies.
Get involved with the funeral planning
Some family members shy away from getting involved with the funeral, thinking that it’s perhaps going to be too much for them to cope with. But a funeral is an excellent chance to do one last thing for your relative and to ensure they have a good send-off. Whether it’s dealing with the details or researching funeral prices at www.academyfuneralservices.com.au/funeral-prices/, there are lots of things you can do to make a contribution to the funeral or wake, and this can give you focus at a difficult time.
Don’t expect your grief to disappear overnight
Going through the grieving process is a bit of a rollercoaster. After the funeral, you may feel a little better, only to find that getting back to normal life makes things difficult again. Also, things like the anniversary of the death or family celebrations can be hard to get through, and dealing with grief during the holidays is another obstacle to overcome. It’s important to be mentally prepared for these feelings to come back and to understand it’s normal, but also to seek help when needed. Moreover, living with grown stepchildren is important for a family part which you need to concern about.
Seek help with grief
You are not alone in your grief. There are lots of resources out there for people going through the grieving process, so consider:
- Seeing a specialist grief counsellor or therapist
- Joining a support group – there are support groups for the bereaved, as well as families whose loved ones have died because of certain illnesses
- Look out for relevant social media pages
- Speak to family. You may not want to bother them at this time, but family members are often happy to have someone to talk through their grief with
If you’re not sure where to begin, check out your local government pages for information on death and bereavement support, which includes everything from financial help to organisations that can help you through this difficult time. If you’re in a crisis, you should seek immediate help from a doctor, who can signpost you to the right help.
Dealing with grief is one of the hardest parts of life, but there are ways you can get through this difficult time. By doing your research and making sure you get the right support, you can come out of this period feeling good again and being able to deal with the death. Luckily, there is a lot of help out there, and you shouldn’t feel shy about getting professional help when you need it. Everyone experiences grief differently and have their own timeline they have to go through before they can reach acceptance.