Managing grief
Allan Drew’s funeral directors acknowledge that grief is a human response. It can come about due to any significant personal change. A loss, such as the death of a loved one, can cause a type of grief that often seems very difficult to cope with.
The effects of grief can be overwhelming and you may find yourself struggling to find meaning and hope for life in the future. Grief may be experienced as a mental, physical, social, or emotional reaction.
Mental reactions to grief can include:
- shock and disbelief
- sadness
- guilt
- anger
- fear
- despair
Physical reactions to grief can include:
- fatigue
- nausea
- lowered immunity
- weight loss or weight gain
- aches and pains
- insomnia
Social reactions to grief can include:
- feeling isolated and alone
- not wanting to see friends
- can’t face the thought of returning to work
Some experts try to say that there are set stages to the process of grief but in reality every person's reaction to loss is unique, and as a result, different people may experience, react and respond very differently.
It's best not to put a time frame on the whole experience of grief. This creates unrealistic expectations and doesn’t allow for individual differences. You will need to deal with your grief and face any changes in your life in your own time. In the future, you will be able to look back to see the tiny steps you took that will become the foundation of hope and possibilities for the future.
Grief FAQ
For more on grief, visit the Grief FAQ for expert answers to commonly asked questions around coping with grief.