COPING WITH GRIEF

This article discusses the six ways to cope with grief, extracted from “Caring for yourself and others after a death” by Singapore Hospice Council.

WHAT IS GRIEF?

Grief is a natural response to a loss we experience.

• The loss of a loved one can be intensely painful. It is not something we try to get over, but rather, something we learn to manage and get through.
• Grief is an individual journey. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way of grieving, or a fixed schedule or timeline to grieve.
• Grieving the loss of a loved one may last a lifetime. However, we eventually grow and adapt, and we learn to integrate grief into our lives.

Allow yourself to grieve in your own way and at your own pace

Acknowledge and accept your own feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Be kind and patient with yourself and the grieving process.

Create a schedule and routine for yourself

Try to establish a daily routine to structure your day and help you manage daily needs. Your daily schedule could include personal time to attend to your grief.

Take care of yourself and tend to your well-being

Attending to your feelings and adapting to changes can be stressful and exhausting. Make an effort to care for various aspects of your life, including having adequate sleep, eating well, exercising and engaging in activities that you find relaxing.

Seek support from family members and friends

Reach out to family and friends whom you trust and feel comfortable with, as it may be easier to grieve with the support of family and friends. Decide for yourself how much time you want to spend with others.

Find ways to maintain a sense of connection with your loved one

Create your personal ritual for remembering your loved one. You could visit places you used to frequent together, listen to a favorite song, look through photos, or create a symbolic memento. These could give you a sense of comfort and security as they keep you connected to the loved one.

Take note of anticipatory anniversary reactions and prepare for it

Anniversaries and festivities can be particularly difficult as they heighten the painful absence of your loved one. Identify possible days leading up to these special occasions, as this period may trigger stronger reactions or emotions than the anniversary day. Prepare for such possible reactions and plan ahead how you may wish to commemorate and manage these occasions.

First public symposium on Death Education and Caregiving (Mandarin)

Our community partner Grief Matters and their very first public symposium on Death Education and Caregiving, joined by Professor Lin Chi-Yun, Head of College of Human Development and Health, Department of Thanatology and Health Counselling, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences. And Mr Eric Wu, Writer, radio host, business management consultant, and barista. 20 years of caregiving experience to parents. They will share their knowledge on understanding the behaviors of caregivers and the importance of death education.

Live Life, Love Life.

A message from Nirvana Memorial Garden:
Whether you are planning your own or your loved ones’ end-of-life plan, Nirvana Memorial Garden can help you achieve total peace of mind and long-term savings with a comprehensive suite of funeral and preplanning services. To learn more, visit us at nirvana.com.sg.

Our Campaign Partner:

GriefMatters supports individuals and families who have lost their loved ones through death with their plethora of services and community-based social services. Having the opportunity to speak to a professional about your grief experience can be helpful even if it is just for someone to provide reassurance.

Disclaimer:

While the Information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact the accuracy of the Information. The Information may change without notice and Nirvana Memorial Garden is not in any way liable for the accuracy of any information printed and stored or in any way interpreted and used by a user.