How to Move Forward with Grace After a Death in the Family

When considering how to move forward with grace after the death of a loved one, it’s important to remember that everyone’s grief is unique. Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut formula that will take away the pain and sadness, although it’s possible having a solid plan in place can help. Here are a few guidelines for coping with your grief and loss.

Take Things as They Come

After a family member’s passing, there will be many tasks to undertake, including planning a funeral. Once the stress of funeral planning and memorial dedication has died down, you’ll probably want to start thinking about other pressing matters, like what to do with your loved one’s house or belongings.

According to House Method, one way to move forward gracefully is to make an action plan when it comes to your loved one’s house. If they were still living at home when they passed, determine if you’re going to take ownership of the house, rent it out, or sell it. Additionally, if your loved one left a will, be sure to look at that first when determining what to do with their belongings.

Practice Self-Care

Practicing self-care is always important, but it’s especially crucial during a grieving period when your body is under stress. Make sure that you stay hydrated and eat healthy foods. Stay away from sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. Make sure you get enough sleep by having a consistent bedtime routine and consider using an essential oil diffuser if you know that scents help calm you down.

Moving On Doesn’t Mean Forgetting

When grieving, it can be painful to remember your family member. However, it’s impossible to rid yourself of all the reminders of your relationship. People often try to shut out memories because they think that’s what moving on means. On the contrary, moving forward means remembering your family member fondly.

Find Grief Support Groups

You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. There are many grief support groups nationwide. Although it’s important to reach out to friends and family, sometimes they can feel worn thin. Support groups provide a setting where you can share openly with others who are grieving along with you.

Add New Things to the Space You Shared

If you have to live in a space that you and your family member shared, you may be surrounded by reminders that they’re gone. Although the memories may be good ones, it’s still a lot of mental and emotional strain. It may help to change up the environment. For instance, maybe getting a new pet could ease the loneliness. You could also move the furniture around, repaint the interior of your home, or reposition accent pieces and other decorative items.

Build on Important Relationships

Death can make you realize how much you miss the deceased and may bring about feelings of regret and loneliness. Instead of focusing on what you should have done in that relationship, now is the perfect time to pay closer attention to your relationships with the living and build on your gratitude.

Find Joy in New Things

There are many ways for you to experience joy after losing a loved one. Maybe now is a good time to pick up a new hobby. In fact, engaging in creative activities can be good for your mental health because it releases dopamine, the “feel good” chemical. Think about picking up a hobby like sewing, writing, or even traveling.