About Grief

Grief is probably the most serious loss that anyone will have to cope with in their life, it is a natural emotional state which can encompass a wide range of challenging and painful feelings. Grief is a normal reaction to bereavement which leaves the majority of people requiring support and advice to help them manage their distress and adjustments to possible life changes triggered by loss.

Bereavement can bring life changes and practical challenges, this include dealing with administration of the death, assuming new responsibilities and adjusting to building a new life without the person that has died. Grieving is a highly individual experience, there is no right or wrong way to grieve, how somebody grieves depends on many factors. These can include personalities, coping skills, life experiences, faith and how significant the loss was.

Awareness and understanding of grief is often misunderstood, which can result in bereaved people feeling lost and alone with possible risks to their health and wellbeing. Grief can affect you mentally, emotionally and physically and in some cases may affect relationships with others. Some may find it difficult to sleep, eat or even think straight and feel like you are falling apart, these are all normal reactions when dealing with grief.

Healing from grief involves mourning the loss to try and reach an acceptance of it. Mourning is a gradual process, which does take time and can never be forced or hurried. Some people may start to feel better in weeks or months while others, the process can be measured in years. It is very important to be patient with yourself and allow the process to naturally unfold.