Dealing with death is a normal part of life, but it can be difficult to handle. It can cause emotional and physical symptoms in some people and may result in depression or other problems.
Grieving is a process that varies from person to person, and there’s no one right way to do it. But there are some things that can help.
Family members
The death of someone you care about can affect everyone in the family. It may take time to cope with this loss and some people need more support than others.
As a family member, you can help another person to deal with death by being open and honest about your feelings. You may not be able to solve the problems, but you can offer your support and encouragement.
Often, grieving families find that they become closer together after a loss. This can be a healthy sign that your family is strong and that you can deal with death.
Young children can be especially affected by the death of a loved one. They may display emotions such as sadness, anger, confusion and irritability.
You can help your child deal with grief by showing them that you understand their feelings, making it clear to them that the person who died was essential to their life, and giving them permission to talk about their feelings. It can also help to make it clear that you will not try to take their grief away.
Children
Dealing with death is a difficult process for all of us, but it’s especially hard for young children. They may not understand why someone has died or what the deceased’s body looks like.
You can help your child understand what has happened by explaining it in simple terms. Avoid using vague euphemisms (such as “passed away” or “went to sleep”) that are confusing or frightening.
Explain that all life functions stop completely at death. This helps them realize that the person they love is no longer suffering or hurting.
When children learn this, they tend to feel less guilty or ashamed about a death.
As with adults, younger children need clear explanations about what’s happening and why. They also need to know that no one can bring the deceased back. Use language that’s appropriate for their age and understanding of concepts, such as sharing your family’s religious or spiritual beliefs about death.
Friends
When a friend dies, the impact is often felt on many people. Whether the friend was your primary confidante, someone who stuck by you during a difficult time or simply someone you enjoyed spending time with, dealing with the death of this person can be overwhelming and confusing.
Friends can play an important role in helping your friend through their grief process. Some of the most helpful things you can do are talk with them about their loss, share happy memories, and make sure they have a safe place to cry or be alone.
However, you shouldn’t try to make your friend feel better or less sad by telling them how you’ve dealt with similar losses in your life. Doing so can make your friend feel like you’re comparing their grief with your own.
Health care professionals
Dealing with death is an inevitable part of a health care professional’s job. Whether it’s your first time dealing with death or you’ve faced patient death multiple times already, learning how to appropriately process and cope can help you and your colleagues.
Fortunately, there are resources for medical professionals that provide support to anyone dealing with grief related to a patient’s death or other healthcare traumatic events. For example, the forYOU Team is a group that provides tools and resources to healthcare caregivers.
Doctors and nurses can also find support through Vital Work Life, a peer support group that connects doctors with experienced health professionals. The online program helps doctors who are dealing with a patient’s death or other traumas by providing resources and guidance.
Grief is a universal experience that impacts people across cultures and age groups. It can affect a person’s physical, emotional and mental well-being in different ways. It can be difficult to accept and express grief, but it’s important to do so in order to heal and move forward.