Grief Support – AA Rayner and Sons Funeral Homes

Grief, Healing, and Honoring Your Loved One

July 12, 2023/in Blog, Grief Support, Resources

Grief is a complex emotion to deal with and there are no exact steps to guide you on this journey. It is important to remember that grief looks different for each person, and the best way to cope with it is by finding the path which feels most comfortable for you. Here are some tips from AA Rayner and Sons Funeral Homes that can help you navigate your grief journey while honoring your loved one.

Give Yourself Time

It is important not to rush into anything while in the midst of mourning your loved one. Take time every day to process your feelings; this will allow you time and space to work through them on your own terms. Whether that means journaling, talking with friends or family, or just taking a moment for yourself, it all can help in the healing process.

Be with Friends and Family

Grieving can feel like a lonely journey, but the presence of understanding and supportive people can make a significant difference. It’s important to spend quality time with those who can empathize with your experiences, whether it’s virtual or in person. These people can offer comfort and be a source of solace during this challenging time.

Participate in Rituals or Spiritual Practices

Spirituality can bring comfort and peace during difficult times of grief. Incorporating practices like prayer or meditation can help open our hearts and minds to healing energies from within ourselves and the universe. Adding these practices to our daily routine can be a powerful tool for coping with loss.

Participate in a Grief Support Group

Joining a grief support group can be a powerful experience. Sharing stories and connecting with others who understand your pain can help you process your emotions in a welcoming and non-judgmental environment. This support system can provide valuable insights into managing feelings of loss and celebrating the life of loved ones.

Writing Down Memories

Writing down memories of a loved one is a powerful and meaningful way to honor their memory while also processing your own grief. It allows you to capture those special moments and keep them close, preserving them for future reflection. By writing down these memories, you can keep the memory of your loved one alive and ultimately find comfort and healing in the process.

Consult a Therapist

If you’re struggling with tough emotions such as grief, sadness, or anxiety, seeking professional advice is always a good practice. Especially if the emotions are severe, a therapist can help you come up with specific coping techniques tailored to your needs. Their invaluable guidance throughout the grieving process could lead to quicker healing over time than trying to navigate through it alone.

Memorializing with a Bronze Plaque

When you lose a loved one, it’s natural to feel a wide range of emotions as you come across things that are closely associated with them. These can be places, objects, or simple gestures that remind you of their presence in your life. By marking these spots with bronze plaques or other memorials, we create a tangible reminder of the love and memories that continue to linger on. Check it out for more info on how to create lasting memorials for those special people in your life.

The grieving process is unique to each person, and there is no “right” or “wrong” way to cope with loss. It is crucial to find what works best for you when mourning a loved one. You can honor their memory by taking some time every day to reflect, either alone or with loved ones who understand what you are going through. Marking special spots or items with a bronze plaque can also help ease some pain and bring forth remembrance and celebration.

For compassionate funeral, cremation, and memorial services in Chicago, visit AA Rayner and Sons Funeral Homes today.

Healthy Goals to Help You Move Along the Grieving Process

March 31, 2022/in Blog, Grief Support, Resources

Extreme exhaustion. Lack of motivation. The complete cessation of productivity. If you experience these symptoms and more after losing a loved one, you are not alone. In fact, C.S. Lewis coined a term for this phenomenon: “The laziness of grief.” If you experience the laziness of grief, know that the path to healing may be as simple as setting small daily goals. Before you balk at the idea of goal-setting in your current emotional state, know that the goals in question are small, manageable and sometimes as simple as opening a window.

Let the Light In
You may have heard of SAD, or seasonal affective disorder, which affects people during the winter months when the sun shines less frequently. Symptoms of SAD include lethargy, fatigue, moodiness, lack of motivation and others similar to those of grief. Research shows that the brain produces more serotonin — the happy chemical — on sunnier days than it does on overcast days. While sunshine streaming through an open window won’t be the cure-all you’re looking for, it can give you a mood boost, which can help you tackle your other, slightly bigger goals.

Allow Yourself to Sleep
Sleep disturbances are a common symptom of grief. While many bereaved persons experience hypersomnia, which refers to excessive sleepiness, some experience the opposite — insomnia. If you fall into the latter camp, you may be dealing with the effects of sleep deprivation in addition to grief. Among several other symptoms, those may include depression, anxiety and irritability. You can help bolster your mental health and counteract the symptoms of grief by taking steps to increase the number of hours you sleep each night and improve your sleep quality.

Move Through Your Grief
Understandably, doing anything more physical than walking to the mailbox at this stage in the grieving process can feel taxing, but significant research exists that supports the role of exercise in healing. In fact, one study found that engaging in 30-minute workouts three to five times a week can cut your depressive symptoms by as much as half. Exercise can also give you a constructive outlet for your anger and provide an opportunity to “bliss out.” Though finding the motivation to work out may be a struggle, once you don those running shoes and hit the pavement, you will feel all the better for your efforts.

Plan Your Return To Work
Work may be the last thing you want to think about, but the truth is that you must return to the office at some point. It’s important that you carefully plan your return by setting expectations and holding yourself and your employer accountable to said expectations. Managing expectations and setting boundaries is crucial for avoiding burnout, as is valuing your own time and giving yourself the space to acknowledge and deal with your emotions.

Memorialize What You Lost
So many people are of the notion that memorializing the deceased only prolongs the grief, but the truth is that memorialization is an important step in the grieving process. In addition to helping honor loved ones and preserve memories, memorialization provides bereaved persons with a tangible way to connect with the departed. Memorials come in many forms, so be sure to do your research and work with AA Rayner and Sons Funeral Home to find one that honors and celebrates your loved one’s life.

Grief can be exhausting. While the laziness of grief is normal, do not let it become a lifestyle. Set small goals for yourself to help yourself overcome and move on in the healthiest manner possible.