Coping with the unexpected death of a loved one
Mourning is a healing process with many stops.
Most of us feel shock and disbelief when we go through the unexpected death of a loved one. We assume that our family and friends will reach old age. But it’s not uncommon for death to come unexpectedly, through accident or illness.
Loss of a loved one can also bring up strong feelings of:
- Guilt
- Sadness
- Anger
- Emptiness
- Fear
- Loneliness
We may feel bad if we haven’t shared important feelings with our loved one when they were alive. We forget that a relationship is measured through its entire life and not just by its ending.
Mourning is a healing process that moves us through many stops. On this journey, we may have many moments when our everyday lives cover over our grief.
If you have an unexpected loss:
- Give yourself time. It takes time to fully understand a loss in your life.
- Be ready for a wide range of emotions. Let yourself feel.
- Talk to friends and family about what you’re going through. Don’t keep your feelings to yourself.
- After an unexpected loss, you may find yourself having irrational fears or fears that don’t make sense. These fears will lessen over time.
- Take time to think about what’s important in your life. Celebrate all of the moments of closeness you do have with the people you love.
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for professional health care. You should consult an appropriate health care professional for your specific needs.