Recognizing The Signs Of Grief

The loss of a loved one can be excruciating, and so can the first holiday season without that person in your life. If you know someone who has experienced a difficult loss in the last year, you may want to watch for signs that that person is grieving during this holiday season. Even if the loss was quite some time ago, the holidays can spark that feeling of emptiness and sorrow as if the death of their loved one was fresh. That is because the holidays are a time of togetherness and family, and when someone loses a close loved one, going through the holidays without that person can seem impossible.

There are several stages of grief, and while your friend or relative may have already gone through these stages once, you may want to keep an eye out for their reappearance during the holiday season. Remember that grieving is a unique process to each person, and there are no proper ways to experience loss and grief. Most people go through the five stages of grief in this order: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. It can be hard to spot some of these stages in someone whose loss is not as recent, but you should be sensitive to the signs of grief.

When supporting your loved one in their grieving, you need to remember that this process is not about you. Stop worrying that you will say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing. This is about supporting and loving your friend or family member who has experienced a painful loss. Be a good listener, and be available, especially during the holiday season. There may be moments or traditions that trigger a particularly strong feeling of loss, and you need to be cognizant of these things and make sure you are offering your patience and understanding as your loved one navigates this first holiday without their friend or family member.

If you are having difficulty expressing your sympathy, consider the unconventional gifts sold through The Comfort Company. This company specializes in keepsakes and “in memorial” gifts that say exactly what you want to say to your friend or loved one during this difficult time. If flowers seem to traditional or not quite enough, you may want to consider a gift that can truly express your feelings. Remember, this is about offering your love and support during this time, acknowledging a difficult loss, and helping your loved one through.

By: Renee Wood, MSW

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Renee Wood founded The Comfort Company in 2000. She is a social worker that has helped families deal with the loss or pending loss of a child, as well as aiding patients in the end-stage of renal failure. The gifts provided by The Comfort Company offer memorial ideas as well as hope for healing hearts.