Bereavement, grief, loss - Tips

There is not a right or wrong way to grieve. Grieving the loss of someone or something is a personal process. It doesn't have a standard time limit.

Maybe you feel like staying in bed all day. Or maybe you want to escape the feeling of loss by keeping yourself occupied with work or other activities.

Try to find a balance between on the one hand keeping in contact with the outside world and on the other hand to make time to mourn your loss and express your grief.

Realize that 'mourning and moving' can go together. You will feel sad, give it time and space, and at the same time move on. Go on with your life, take care of yourself, do things you like to do, make (new) plans, visit friends, etc.

The death of a child is for you as a parent one of the most profound, painful and difficult experiences that can happen in your life. It is so intense, that often the people that surround you also do not know how to deal with it. This can increase the sadness.

On worldwide candle lighting day, every second Sunday in December, people light a candle in remembrance of children that have died. That way, we as friends, try to console and give attention to the immense loss.

Are your experiencing bereavement, grief and loss and could you use some support?
A therapist or counsellor can help you.

Ask yourself what the loved one you lost would want you to do. How would he or she want you to continue living your life and focus on that.