Coping with Grief
- Attempting to deny or ignore grief will only lengthen the grieving process
and cause greater distress.
- Distress will ease as you embrace your grief and give it the attention and full expression it demands.
- It is a sign of strength to reach out for help and resources to support yourself during the grieving process.
Next Step
Learn about the different types of grief.
Learn More
Grieving people have two choices. The first choice is to try to avoid their grief and the emotions associated with their loss
and continue on, hoping to forget. This is a risky choice, because when grief is ignored, it continues to cause distress.
The other choice is to acknowledge grief and seek healing and growth. Coping with and adjusting to loss is slow, hard work. As
difficult as it may sound, it is healing to embrace your grief and give it the full attention and expression it demands. While
a “stiff upper lip” at times of significant loss may seem admirable, it doesn’t serve the human need to express grief. It is
essential to let yourself feel all the emotions that arise, as painful as they may be, and to treat yourself with patience and kindness.
Grief Support
Although it is common for people to want to find their own way through grief and avoid seeking help, grief support can make a remarkable
difference. Experiencing the death of a loved one can overwhelm our ability to cope; some things are simply bigger than we are and require
more resources than we have available.
It is a sign of strength to reach out for help and resources in times of need. Most people feel strengthened, encouraged, and supported when
they learn about grief, understand how it affects them, identify coping strategies, and learn new methods to help themselves through the grief
experience.
Next Step:
Learn about the different types of grief.
Content shown was developed through a collaboration between AGIS and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
