Monthly Archives: September 2022

Questions About Grief

Cremation services Willoughby Hills, OH, may help with grief. While a lot of information on funerals is available on the internet, the same can’t be said about grief. People have plenty of misconceptions about grief and how it relates to mourning.

In this article, we are going to present a basic overview of grief. This will help everyone navigating through the grief journey to get a new, realistic perspective of bringing positivity into their life.

What are the symptoms of grief?

They vary from person to person, depending on the relationship and closeness with the lost loved one. But in any case, grief can manifest in physical, emotional, or mental symptoms.

Here are common physical symptoms of grief:

Heart palpitations
Increased inflammation
Joint problems
Stomach problems
Headaches
Body aches and pains

Emotional symptoms include:

Bitterness
Anger
Irritability
Apathy
Confusion
Loss of joy
Feelings of guilt, shame, betrayal, fear. Often these emotions manifest in combination.

While anxiety and depression are the foremost mental reverberations of grief. If not addressed on time, it translates into complicated grief that takes a serious toll on your both physical and mental health.

How long does grief last?

If anything, grief is independent of time. It’s true that the intense emotions of grief, in most cases, die down with time, but that’s not the case with everyone. Everyone has their own time frame and it may take a person from a few days and weeks to months and even a lifetime.

If grief lasts longer and seems to run deeper persistently, then it’s time for you to get some professional help.

Compared to grief, mourning is the outpouring of grief, an expression that you show to the public to reflect you’re grieving the loss. That is why mourning may last for a set period of time, while grief has its own timetable.

In many religions, there’s a fixed mourning time as a symbol of respect and tribute to the deceased. The Jewish, Eastern Orthodox, Hindu, and Muslim religious sects have set mourning periods. But the grieving journey may last much longer than the mourning period.

Also, many cultures adopt certain traditions to highlight that you’re mourning the loss of a loved one. For instance, wearing black, no dancing or celebrations, a black wreath on your door, or covering the doorbell or knocker are just a few ways to let society know that you are in mourning.

How to mourn a death of a loved one?

There is no right or wrong way to mourn. What matters the most is recovering from your loss which takes time. If you’re a religious person, then talk to your religious leader and set up the services and viewings that your religion may require.

Remember that the support of family and friends at a time like this will help you both emotionally and mentally. Mourning the loss helps you get sympathy from the community. The people stand by your side and help you out in ways you would never have thought of after cremation services Willoughby Hills, OH.

All About Anticipatory Grief

Saying goodbye to your loved one at funeral homes Willoughby Hills, OH, isn’t easy. The process is also difficult if they’ve been ill for a long time.

In layman’s terms, anticipatory grief is grieving a loss before it happens. The painful feelings of knowing that the loved one is about to die after battling cancer or other terminal diseases.

With the final stages of the loved one’s life fast approaching, your role as caretaker feels more urgent and serious as you cope with overwhelming anticipatory grief.

What is Anticipatory Grief?

Anticipatory grief is when you experience deep sorrow over losing a loved one before they have died. Consider it as if you know the person you love is near to death but you cannot do anything to save them. It triggers a painful reaction and you start grieving the loss before it happens. This is called anticipatory grief.

What is the difference between normal grief and anticipatory grief?

The major difference between “normal” grief and anticipatory grief is timing. Anticipatory grief happens before the loss occurs while typical grief is after the loss. But note that anticipatory grief can be as hard as normal grief, and in some cases, even harder.

Looking at your loved one and not being able to do anything can make you feel vulnerable, guilty, and angry.

Why anticipatory grief is so difficult?

The anticipatory grief starts soon after your loved one received a diagnosis from the doctor. Depending on the situation, this period between onset and death can be from a couple of weeks to a few months, and even more.

In essence, you are grieving in two different ways for the same person. Not only are you grieving the anticipated loss, but you are also grieving over their current suffering and loss of potential. Even worse is the difficulty of talking about it, which can make you feel even more alone and helpless in your grief.

What are the symptoms of anticipatory grief?

It’s true that every person grieves differently and may experience varying symptoms. But here are the common physical and mental effects of anticipatory grief.

Emotions like anger, denial, depression, hopelessness, and forgetfulness are also common in normal grief.
Exhaustion, especially if you are a caregiver. Taking care of a loved one and watching their health decline is both physically and emotionally exhausting.
Getting excessively anxiety-filled as you try to be on alert all the time in a hospital or hospice care. Every time the phone rings, you could feel the heartbeat getting faster, predicting that the worst has happened. You are always bracing for the bad news.
Feelings of guilt and self-blame. Maybe you’re wondering if only you could have done more, things wouldn’t be the way they are. Looking forward for their suffering and your weariness to be over can cause you to feel shame.

No matter how hard the grief is, you should never give up or lose hope. Grief is a healthy emotional process of accepting the inevitable outcome. The final step is the memorial service at funeral homes Willoughby Hills, OH. Contact us today.

How to Comfort a Friend

Cremation services Waite Hill, OH, let you say goodbye, but they don’t erase your grief. Imagine that your friend has lost their spouse or some other loved one a year ago. Their death anniversary is approaching and you want to show love and support to them.

Are you short of ideas on how to comfort the grieving friend? Check out the below tips:

1. Bring a Meal

Your grieving friend may not be up to doing much on this day. So, consider cooking for them or picking up take-out. If you can’t do either, have something delivered to their doorstep.

You can send anything as long as you know what your friend likes. If you’re having any doubts, ask what you should bring to them.

But what’s best is to cook for your friend while they sit and relax, talk with you, or just take a nap.

2. Share a Favorite Memory or Story

It’s better to meet them in person and share a memorable story of the loved one. If you cannot make it in person, write a card and briefly narrate a story of the loved one that they haven’t heard before. Don’t hesitate to give a call and assure them that you’re always present for them.

3. Bring a Gift Basket

There are plenty of gift baskets you can buy for your grieving friend. But if you want to make it more personal, consider doing it yourself.

Fill up a basket, bag, or plastic bin with comforting gifts and delectable treats. Go with a spa theme, chocolate and fruit, journals and art supplies, and coffee/tea, or get a popcorn tub and fill it with movies and movie snacks.

4. Babysit the Kids

If they have young children, offer to watch the kids (at your place or theirs) so that they can get some alone time. Maybe they would like to go out on a long walk or hike.

If it’s a couple who lost a little one, watch the other kids so they can go out together and strengthen their relationship in the midst of their remembering.

5. Share a Special Activity

Your friend needs some activity to get a fresh breath of air during such tough times. This can be anything that they love to do or play. But be sure to talk about it first. The activity shouldn’t be too overwhelming yet meaningful.

Here are some good ideas:

Go with your friend on a walk or hike to visit a favorite spot.
Take them out to the restaurant where they had their first date.
Watch a favorite show together.
Substitute your presence where their loved one used to be – not that you’re taking that person’s place, but rather you’re enabling your friend as they experience some of those things they used to do.

Hopefully, you’re now in a better position to show your love and support to a grieving friend after the service at cremation services Waite Hill, OH. Contact us today.

Deep Diving into Complicated Grief

When you plan a memorial service at funeral homes Waite Hill, OH, grief is natural. Complicated grief is a heightened state of mourning that keeps you from healing. The pain can be physical as well as emotional and can seriously hamper a person’s ability to carry out even the daily minor tasks.

Here are some interesting points about complicated grief:

1. Complicated Grief Takes a Toll on Your Mental Health

One of the powerful reverberations of this persistent grief is deep-set emotions may get you thinking about irrational thoughts. It disrupts your day-to-day activities, makes small tasks look insurmountable, and can also surface thoughts about harming yourself.

Get help immediately if this is you.

2. Complicated Grief Begins as Normal Grief

Complicated grief starts just like normal grief where you face a rollercoaster of painful emotions. With time, as work through your grief, if the intensity of emotions doesn’t drop down or you are unable to learn to adapt to the changed reality, it has transitioned to complicated grief. This can be very difficult to deal with emotionally.

3. Complicated Grief Can Display Symptoms of PTSD

People who have gone through a harrowing experience such as a car accident or other violent death are often the victims of PTSD. The same can be said for complicated grief in some specific cases.

If you are already suffering from depression, anxiety disorder, or personality disorders when coping with the loss of a loved one, the chances increase for complicated grief to set in and show symptoms of PTSD. Additionally, the intensity of complicated grief also depends on how you cope with stress, trauma, and loss.

4. You May Get Hallucinatory Experiences

When you are going through complicated grief, it’s normal to feel that you see or hear the lost loved one. This is a common disease also to as “grief hallucinations.” So, if you’re also facing this emotion, you’re not alone. It’s an experience that many have. However, if it is happening to you, seeing a professional grief counselor can help you make sense of what’s going on.

5. Watch Out for Behavioral Changes

It’s very common to experience behavioral changes while coping with complicated grief. You might feel all normal one moment and suddenly, become reckless, taking chances with your body or health. Similarly, many people facing strong emotional grief become more impulsive and don’t stop themselves from indulging in dangerous situations and even, wishing/hoping to die.

Be aware of these behaviors and get professional help asap to avoid risking yourself.

6. Staying Healthy Helps

Lastly, it is important to take care of yourself at all times, especially when your mind and body are under heavy stress. One good way is to develop good habits. Plus, make sure you get enough rest, exercise, and keep in contact with your friends and family.

Also, eat nutritious food, quit smoking or drinking habits, and honor the loved one in whatever way you like. All these things are more important than ever at a time when you’re battling complicated grief. Speak to your funeral director at funeral homes Waite Hill, OH, for more help. Contact us today.

BLOG