GUIDELINES FOR HEALTHY GRIEVING
Recognize that grieving, when you have suffered a loss, is normal.
Accept feelings of grief: “I don’t need to pretend; this is how I feel”
Recognize that there are stages of grieving that have been recognised in the grief journey; denial, anger, bargaining, depression and eventually acceptance.
Journey through the pain and loss, don’t suppress your feelings.
Speak to God about your struggles, remember how Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:33-36) He understands!
Talk to ‘safe’ people about your loss, however, recognise that everyone experiences grief differently.
Don’t change the subject if pain/grief comes up in conversations, share as much as you are comfortable doing.
Your grief may be deeper and last longer than expected.
Don’t feel guilty if you laugh at something, or enjoy something.
Take as much time as you need to recover.
Remember, death is not the end.
