~Grief Explanation~
Grief is the process by which we realize and adjust to any significant loss in our life. The death of someone we love is perhaps the most intense and severe bereavement we can experience, but such bereavement may also occur with other losses such as divorce, the loss of a home, health, job or the loss of a pet. Grief is an intensely personal experience. Every death is unique and everyone affected will respond differently. Most people will pass through similar phases of grief. After the initial shock, numbness, and often denial, the bereaved may experience anger, guilt, sadness, and many other feelings, adjusting sometimes painfully and slowly towards an acceptance of the loss. Grief is a natural healing process, which needs to be allowed free expression.
Grief is a simple word used to describe the natural responses we have when facing a loss. Loss of a job, declining health, marital breakdown, even leaving home or school can be accompanied by feelings of loss and grief, and are only some of the losses we may face during our life. As we learn to cope with our loss and adjust to a changed situation we may get through many changes of feelings, thoughts and behaviors. We may even question our spiritual beliefs. This is grief in action. There are no right or wrong ways to grieve, and feelings of loss do not stick to a rigid timetable. However, there are some reactions to loss that are common to many people, resentment, poor concentration, and/or withdrawal from social activities. As you make your way through your grief process you need understanding, information and assistance. Be patient with yourself. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Consider talking to a friend who will listen without judgment, or write a private journal.
~Children and Grief~
If you're old enough to love you're old enough to grieve. Children do grieve, although they do not always express their grief in exactly the same way as adults do. Children have not always developed a language that enables them to talk about how they feel or to explore the reasons for changes in their behavior, that seem to tie in with the death or loss that has occurred. Some ways this behavior may be expressed are noisy games, bedwetting, uncontrollable tantrums, or difficulties with school work. As a child grows older, he or she may grieve about a loss that occurred some time ago, because this loss now has new significance to them. They may grieve over the death of someone they have never known - perhaps someone who died before they were born, such as a grandparent or sibling.
Free services may be offered from your local community throughout the year, such as bereavement support groups, grief counseling and remembrance services. They are designed to be a healing place to mourn and assist people who have been faced with the loss of a loved one. If you would like more information about what your community offers contact your local funeral director.
~Additional Grief Related Links~
AARP: Coping with Grief and Loss For widowed and bereaved adults.
AirCraft Casualty Emotional Support Services Aids and facilitates the grieving process of people who have been affected by, or involved in, an air crash.
Alive Alone Assists bereaved parents that lost an only child or all of their children.
Alliance of Grandparents, A Support in Tragedy (AGAST) Dedicated to assisting all grandparents when a grandchild dies.
Bereaved Parents of the USA Aids and supports bereaved parents and families struggling to survive their grief after the death of a child.
Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation Represents a voice for pediatric cancer families and survivors to the general public, the medical community, government, schools, employers, and the media.
Center for Loss and Life Transition For bereaved adults and children and bereavement caregivers.
Center for Loss in Multiple Birth (CLIMB) For bereaved parents of one or more twins, or multiples.
The Compassionate Friends A self-help organization offering friendship, understanding, and hope to bereaved families that have experienced the death of a child.
Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) For families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
Death and Dying: Beyond Indigo For bereaved individuals.
Grief & Loss Resource Center Features grief and bereavement resources and links to memorial collections.
Grief Inc. Provides program speakers to discuss grief-related issues.
GrowthHouse Resources for life-threatening illness and end-of-life care.
GROWW-Grief Recovery Online Provides message boards, resource listings and secure chat rooms for the grieving.
In Loving Memory Dedicated to helping parents cope with the death of their only child or all their children through conferences/outreach.
National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved Offers pastoral and spiritual support to the bereaved, caregivers, agencies, congregations and dioceses.
The National Center for Grieving Children and Families Provides peer support groups for grieving children.
National Donor Family Council For families of those who died and became organ and/or tissue donors.
Parents of Murdered Children (POMC) Dedicated to helping the survivors of homicide victims with supportive family services after the murder of a family member or friend.
Parents Without Partners Devoted to the welfare and interests of single parents and their children
Self Esteem Advisory Service For adults and children.
SHARE Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support For families who have experienced the death of a baby due to miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death.
Society of Military Widows For widows of members of all branches of the uniformed services of the United States.
The Sturbridge Group: Bereavement Training and Consultation Provides training and consultation on the issues of death, dying, and grief.
THEOS Foundation, Inc.
322 Blvd. Of the Allies
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 471-7779
Publishes THEOS magazine, books and organizational materials for widowed men
and women.
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors Provides services to those that lost a loved one while serving in the Armed Forces.
Ultimate Loss For bereaved individuals.
WidowNet An information and self-help resource for, and by, widows and widowers.
Wings of Light Support and information network for aircraft-accident survivors and others directly affected by aviation accidents.
http://www.journeyofhearts.org
http://www.grieflossrecovery.com
If you would like to receive more information please feel free to email us at pmc@alaskanfuneral.com, phone us at 888-369-3003 or click on the link below. Please provide your name and address and perhaps a description of what concerns or needs you have and we will provide some reading materials and a list of community resources to assist you as you work through your grief.
