Coping with Loss and

GriefChapter 4/Lesson 3

Acknowledging Loss

1st Step in the Healing Process is acknowledging a loss:• Death of a loved one• Death of a pet• Rejection, break up• Moving, leaving friendsGrieving is a common and natural reaction and understanding grief will help manage the feelingsTo grieve is to express deep sadness because of a loss.

The Grieving ProcessCan help people accept the loss and start to healStages of Grief- a variety of reactions that may surface as an individual makes sense of how a loss affect him or her• Denial/Numbness• Emotional Release…periods of crying• Anger…feels powerless and unfairly deprived• Barganing…promises made to return what was lost• Depression…beyond sad; loneliness, isolation, hopelessness• Remorse…constant thoughts; how it could be prevented• Acceptance…closure; faces reality• Hope…less painful and look ahead

Funerals, Wakes, & Memorial Services

• Ceremonies that take place after a death help friends and family to get through the grieving process.

• A wake allows family and friends to view a deceased person before a funeral.

• A funeral is a ceremony in which a deceased person is buried or cremated.

• A memorial service is a ceremony to honor and remember a deceased person.

Coping- dealing successfully with difficult changes in lifeCoping with death involves receiving and showing support…

empathy• Show your support through simple actions

• Let the person know you are there for him or her• Allow the person to share thoughts and feelings• Express your faith in the person’s ability to cope

Listening, recall happy memories, be patient

Morning – the act of showing sorrow or grief(talking about the person, sharing memories, searching for

meaning, experiencing the pain)Closure- acceptance of a loss

Coping with Traumatic Events

Traumatic event – any event that has a stressful impact sufficient to overwhelm your normal coping strategiesWays a Person can cope with a traumatic event:• Seek support from family, friends, community

groups or agencies to help you through the shock and grief

• Try to resume you normal life…do the things you enjoyed before the event