Grief is a natural response to loss.

Coping with the loss of a loved one may present as life’s greatest challenge.

The intensity of your feelings often depends on the circumstances of your loss.

Experts tell us that there are 7 stages of grief that we may progress through, and they are

  • Shock
  • Often there is a sense of numbness and a self-protective detachment from your feelings, because they are too intense to deal with.
  • Denial
  • Many people experience denial after a bereavement; they know something has happened but it does not feel real to them. As denial fades a person becomes stronger to face the realities of the grief causing event.
  • Anger
  • It is normal to feel anger in times of loss, but often people attempt to keep this stage of grief hidden. In time anger becomes easier to manage as we begin to process this stage of our loss.
  • Bargaining
  • The bargaining stage is about making promises either to yourself or a higher being, asking the universe for a chance to put things right.This stage is about negotiating our way out of the pain.
  • Depression
  • The jumble of emotions that usually accompanies the grieving process can typically lead to feelings of depression, isolation, anxiety and a feeling of dread.
  • Acceptance and hope
  • Acceptance is about realising you cannot change the circumstances, however you can gain some control over how you respond. This stage is not about liking what has happened. But rather about reaching an acceptance of the permanence and reality of our loss.
  • Processing of grief
  • There is no right or wrong way to grieve, just as there is no quick fix; the healing process takes time and varies from person to person.

How to assist grieving loved ones:

Be there- Ask them what they need. Support them in ways they need.

Find ways to assist- Offer to run errands, do the shopping, cook meals or help with the laundry.

Let them know they can talk to you- They may be waiting for a signal from you that it’s okay to share memories and stories and process their feelings. Listen more than talk.

Don’t minimise their loss- Never say a loss wasn’t a big deal, or that they should move on. Allow your loved one to process their feelings honestly.