How to handle your feelings after a loss

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Allow yourself to feel your feelings

Losing a loved one can be a painful and heartbreaking experience. It's no surprise that many people bury their emotions and ignore their feelings. Studies  have shown that when you avoid going through the grieving process, you are more prone to suffer from some form of depression or health issues. Allowing yourself to feel your grief, most often through tears or other forms of expression, can provide genuine relief. This can honestly be very uncomfortable, and just like you want to be very careful with a bruise or wound on your body, you need to be careful with this wound on your emotions. Consider setting a timer for just a few minutes at a time to sit still, breathe, and feel. When the timer rings, get up and move around a bit and go on about your day. Repeat this process, and in time you may find yourself growing more comfortable with the practice.

Tell everyone how you feel - you're allowed to express your grief.

In today's world, we're expected to dust ourselves off and get back to life as soon as possible. But grief is a natural response to loss, and the more significant the loss, the more intense your grief will be. You should be open about needing time to feel better and be patient with yourself to allow the process to naturally unfold. Others around you may need a reminder that you are going through a difficult time, especially as time passes. The more honest you are about your grief, the more you allow other people to be there and respect your needs.

Turn to people who care about you most.

After a loss, you may experience difficult and unexpected emotions, from shock or anger to disbelief, guilt and profound sadness. You may need some time alone to reflect on how to process these emotions, and it's perfectly acceptable to do so for a time. However, you should ultimately allow people back into your life, especially if it will help you move on. A friend, family member or a spiritual leader can all assist you in your grief process. Allow the people who care about you most to simply be there for you.

Don't let anyone tell you how to feel.

However great your loss, it’s personal to you. Don’t feel ashamed about how you feel or believe that it’s somehow only appropriate to grieve in a certain way. Your grief is your own, and no one else can tell you when it’s time to “move on” or “get over it.” Let yourself feel whatever you need to feel without embarrassment or judgment. It’s okay to let go when you’re ready.

Take care of yourself.

We often think of grief as a strictly emotional process, but grief often involves physical symptoms, including fatigue, nausea, lowered immunity, weight loss or weight gain, aches and pains or insomnia. It can be easy to let things like "food" and "sleep" slip your mind when you’re in a state of grief. Make sure you eat, get plenty of rest and do things that are soothing and comforting. Figure out what you need to do to feel healthy, and make sure you do it.

Time doesn't heal all, and that's ok.

Time is necessary, but it is not a cure. Healing happens gradually; it can’t be forced or hurried—and there is no "normal" timetable for grieving. Time might lessen the intensity of that immediate pain of loss, as well as your grief, but your sense of loss and emptiness may never go away. Finding healthy ways to cope with the pain can ease your sadness and help you come to terms with your loss and find new meaning, keeping the memory of your loved one as an important part of you.

June 30, 2025
Have you ever been caught up in the moment and paid more for something than you planned? We’ve all been there. Maybe it was the new car after you got that promotion, the newly-released cell phone, or the upgraded cable/internet package that they talked you into when you called to cancel your service. When a death occurs, there is often so much to think about and so many decisions to be made, that it can be hard to be sure you are making the right choices. Sometimes this can lead to spending more than you normally would. Planning ahead lets you to calmly and carefully consider all of your choices, selecting only the products and services that you desire. Our experienced staff of preplanning professionals can explain all of your options, so you can make the choices that are right for you and your family. During the preplanning process, you will design the funeral service that you want, and arrange all the details, such as location, minister or celebrant, songs to be played, people to be recognized in your obituary, etc. This will take the burden of decision-making off of your loved ones, and give them peace of mind knowing that the service was exactly what you wanted. We will provide you with a clear, itemized list of services and merchandise, which will serve as a road map for your survivors to follow. You can set aside funds to pay for the arrangements in advance through the purchase of a funeral insurance policy. Life insurance policy funds can also be allocated to pay for funeral expenses, at the discretion of your beneficiary. Planning ahead allows you to fully consider all your choices, and avoid emotional overspending, so if you'd like to learn more, please give us a call.
June 16, 2025
“We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next to find ourselves.” – Pico Iyer Traveling can provide an insightful perspective into your life, but when you're grieving, that perspective often widens into something much more. Grief can be isolating and lonely. Traveling can serve as a reminder to yourself that there is a whole world out there outside of the walls of your home and familiar places that may remind you of your loss. A vacation may be the last thing on your mind. However, it can aid in your grieving journey by not forgetting that you are grieving but making it easier to remember good times with your loved one. We’ve come up with four ideal vacations to consider to enrich your heart and soul, melt away stress and have a deeply rejuvenating and meaningful adventure. The Cruise Vacation Being away at sea can be healing for grieving on both an emotional and health level. Nothing says adventure like booking a voyage and being whisked away on a ship to forget about real life for a week or so. On a cruise, you’ll be waited on hand and foot and have access to food around the clock, on board entertainment and an environment of elegance and fun. Plenty of sunshine gives your body a Vitamin D dose, which boosts the immune system and offers natural anti-depressants from positive endorphins. Fresh ocean water also produces positive mental function and respiratory health. As a big plus, there are cruise packages for every budget. You can book anything from a quick 3-day cruise to Mexico or the Caribbean, to a 14-day Alaskan or Mediterranean voyage. The Therapeutic Vacation While there is a time for adventure, for some the grieving journey calls for complete relaxation. In this case, an all-inclusive resort package in a tropical location may work wonders. Perhaps a more budget-friendly option is a getaway to a cabin or bed and breakfast? Many people choose to book stays specializing in therapeutic relaxation and spa treatments. All of these are awesome options if you want to lower the cortisol levels in your body and enjoy the soothing relaxation of treating yourself. In the United States, locations like Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Asheville, North Carolina can offer plenty of rest and relaxation. If you’re thinking of adding stamps to your passport, the Icelandic or Irish countryside can rejuvenate you. The Physical Activity Vacation Many people choose to grieve by engulfing themselves into rigorous physical activity. This is a great way to de-stress while improving your health and adding years to your life. Some people might choose vacations with world-class fitness centers or challenges, while others prefer to embark on natural physical challenges including climbs, hikes, and trails. Climbing Japan’s Mt. Fuji not only to physically exert yourself but also to boost your emotional health through confronting and conquering a challenge. You’ll have stories for life when you decide to explore natural rainforests or go kayaking through British Columbia or New Zealand. The Sight-Seeing Vacation Taking in breathtaking monuments, structures or natural wonders do a lot to expand your horizons and touch your emotions. These vacations work to put life and the world into perspective, which is essential in any grief journey. There are countless sights and landmarks to see. A trip to check out the Grand Canyon, Eiffel Tower, New York Skyscrapers, Swiss Alps, Great Wall of China, Pyramids of Africa and the list goes on. You can’t go wrong with any of these vacations. Comb through them to see which touch your heart and fill needs that will help your mental, physical and spiritual health.
May 12, 2025
As we approach Memorial Day, we’re reminded that this day is more than just a long weekend or the unofficial start of summer. It's a solemn occasion—a time to pause, remember, and reflect on the extraordinary sacrifice of the brave men and women who laid down their lives in service to our country. Memorial Day is about honoring those who never came home. It's a day to recognize the weight of freedom—the cost of which has been paid in lives lost on battlefields near and far. From the beaches of Normandy to the deserts of the Middle East, these heroes fought not for recognition, but for a cause greater than themselves: the preservation of liberty and the protection of the values we hold dear. But our reflection doesn’t stop there. While Memorial Day specifically honors the fallen, it's also an opportunity to acknowledge the living veterans and active service members who carry the burden of memory and continue to serve with courage and dedication. Their stories, resilience, and sense of duty remind us what it truly means to serve. This Memorial Day, let’s remember with gratitude, honor with intention, and live in a way that reflects the depth of their gift. To all who have served—and to those we have lost—we remember you. We honor you. We thank you.
April 28, 2025
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