If Father’s Day is a reminder of loss rather than a celebration, here are four things you could plan for June 16th.
Continuing Bonds: Your Evolving Relationship with Someone Who Died
The grief theory of Continuing Bonds acknowledges that your relationship with the deceased has changed dramatically but will evolve into something new.
Grief Support: Paying it Forward
An important thing to remember when you’re supporting someone else experiencing grief is to not compare losses. Speak to the pain you see without judgment of the loss itself.
Grief and Not Wanting to Be Alive
Here are a few signs that may indicate your thoughts, or the thoughts of someone you’re concerned about, are turning from normal grief toward dangerous suicidal ideation.
Death Guilt: I Feel Like It’s My Fault
There are commonly two root thoughts for the guilt felt after someone dies:
Why didn’t I …?
I never…
Four Tasks of Mourning
Grief theory can’t explain everything, but it may bring some insight you can relate to or otherwise shed some light on your grief experience.
The Politics of Their “Stuff”
Dealing with their “stuff” is one of the hardest things to face in the wake of loss. It’s also a harsh confrontation with the unnecessity of these items given the complete absence of the person to whom they belonged.
Go First, Say Their Name
With your grief, you’ve got enough of a burden and you shouldn’t have to be strapped with the additional responsibility of making it easier for others to interact with you, but if you can go first and offer this bit of grace to your friends and family, it can easily pay dividends in conversation that acknowledges your loved-one and your loss.
The Grim Reaper in the Room
Why don’t people talk about death? Why is open talk of death, or trying to support someone experiencing a significant loss feel so awkward?
The Red Tape of Dying
A list of administrative items that people commonly need to address in the wake of loss: property, personal items, life insurance, vehicles, and Social Security.