“Facing the Loss of a Loved One”
“You will always be remembered.”
Bereavement is the grief and mourning experience following the death of someone or something important to you. This could be human or animal.
Stages of grief: (which are all normal reactions)
Shock – Even if a death was expected.
Overwhelm – The intensity can hit at any time
Relief – After a long illness, which can also trigger guilt
Anger – If you felt someone was taken too soon, hadn’t seen them much before they died, or angry with the person for dying.
Each of these feelings will pass in time.
It takes time to help you come to terms with your loss and begin to heal:
- Give yourself time. Accept your feelings and know that grieving is a process.
- Talk to others. Spend time with friends and family. …
- Take care of yourself. …
- Return to your hobbies. …
- Join a support group.
What does grieving do to your body?
Grief increases inflammation, which can worsen health problems you already have and cause new ones. It batters the immune system, leaving you depleted and vulnerable to infection. The heartbreak of grief can increase blood pressure and the risk of blood clots.
How can you make grieving easier?
Tips for dealing with grief
- Accept some loneliness. Loneliness is completely normal, but it is important not to get too isolated. …
- Choose good company. …
- Be gentle with yourself. …
- Get extra rest. …
- Embrace all emotions. …
- Set a regular sleep schedule. …
- Move your body. …
- Talk to your doctor.
** inserts taken from
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/grief/coping-with-grief-and-loss.htm
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/grief-whats-normal-whats-not-and-13-tips-to-get-through-it
Journal your grief
Where to go for help?
Cruse Bereavement Care cruse.org.uk 0808 808 1677
Hope Again hopeagain.org.uk 0808 808 1677
Macmillan Cancer Support macmillan.org.uk 0808 808 0000
Sue Ryder sueryder.org
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy bacp.co.uk
Celebration of Life
Death – if this could be a celebration of how life was lived, a good life filled with love, memories, kindness, honour, and the positives they left behind.
The importance of celebrating life is reflected in physical and mental health, community and family relationships and a healthy self-concept.
A recent family bereavement enabled me to create a memory book to celebrate their life, which I found cathartic and peaceful to remember the life they lived.
Memories Book
The basic structure:
- In loving memory (front page)
- Life from childhood to adulthood
- Interesting facts and events
- Fun family times
- Favourite photos
- Achievements
- Celebrations
- Acknowledgements
Please see excerpts from the original book as examples:
With sadness in my heart, I share the passing of my mother-in-law, Anne Parkinson, who gained her wings on 11th January 2025. I felt it was fitting to honour her alongside Wilf on this blog as we also celebrated her life, even though Alzheimer’s took so much from us many years ago. Anne had a deep love for art, both painting and drawing and one day, I hope to showcase her artwork as a tribute to this wonderful lady.
Here is a photo of a sunflower I painted for Mum as a gift, which she kept in her room at the nursing home, and her cuddly ox as she loved nature, too. – Debbie
Copyright © 2025, Art for Wellness
Debbie Crouch – originally published in 2022 and updated 2025
Creative art for all ages and abilities. – Let’s share the beauty of creativity