Practical Ways to Cope with Grief

1. Create or attend Rituals: Rituals are an opportunity for those who are grieving to outwardly express grief, alone or with others who are experiencing the same loss. A ritual helps to acknowledge the reality of the death, to express grief and to share an opportunity of remembering the individual who has died. Though in Western society we are often expected to have a funeral shortly after the death, this is only one kind of ritual and many people choose other rituals, shortly after the death or a long while later.

2. Say the name of the person who died: Using the name of the person who died will invite others to do the same. This will not only keep the legacy of this individual in your mind and conversation, but others too. Some people say that it is comforting to hear the name of the individual who died, a name they don’t ever want to forget.

   
   

3. Keep comfort objects close by: It is not unusual to save clothing, hair, personal items etc. to help us remember the person who died and honour their legacy. You may be

   comforted by the physical touch of these items or just knowing that you have them in your procession. Some choose to make these items into pillows, or bears or keep them in a box with other special memories.

   
   

4. Find a friend in Grief: No, you don’t have to be friends with grief, but how about reaching out to someone else who is grieving too. Or maybe you have someone that has reached out to you. Call each other and provide peer support, listen without judgement, meet up when it feels right? This could be both a benefit and a support for both of you!

   
   

5. Talk to the person you’re missing: Talk to photos, in the car, or at the cemetery! Wherever you feel the presence of this individual (or want to), talk! Sometimes you might find yourself thinking of things that you want to say or would usually share with the person who had died. This is normal and it is okay to still share it if that is a comfort to you.