Grief is a tough road to navigate, simply because everyone deals with losing a loved one differently. Whilst you may find your own personal coping methods, it is believed that there are several stages that grieving individuals go through. Loving Ashes want to walk you through the 5 stages of grief and help you understand the grieving process more clearly.
Dealing with the 5 Stages of Grief
It is important to remember that there is no guide on how long various stages are set to last and if you will experience these stages, however, they are extremely common. Keep reading the blog to learn more about the 5 stages that occur when grieving.
1. Isolation and Denial
When you first learn of the loss of a loved one, it is common to deny the tragedy and ignore the reality of what has happened. This is a completely normal and human reaction caused by the overwhelming emotional trauma you have just experienced. People often become withdrawn during this stage, often left feeling that life is pointless; they may also have trouble performing the simplest tasks, such as getting out of bed. Fortunately, this stage doesn’t last too long- this ‘body shut down’ helps an individual deal with the initial pain.
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2. Anger
After the initial shock has worn off, pain and heartbreak often find their way into your life; however, you may not be ready to tackle these tough feelings. These emotions are often expressed through anger. You may find yourself lashing out at a perfect stranger or a close loved one, for no reason at all, you may also find yourself angry at God or your loved one who has passed away. Reactions like these are perfectly normal and is just another stage towards your healing.
3. Bargaining
This may be hard to believe, but bargaining is a normal stage in the grieving process. Grieving individuals may find themselves willing to do anything to change the conditions of what is going on. Praying to a higher power to bring back your loved one or promising to do better in return for a different outcome; we know that this is beyond our control but bargaining to influence the outcome seems rational to those grieving. We may wish we could have done something differently to change the outcome, however, as normal as these feelings are, nothing could have changed the outcomes.
4. Depression
Eventually, as the dust starts to settle and we start to process the grief and regain control of our lives, we start to realise the reality of what has happened. This is the stage where people really start to really feel their loss. People tend to turn silent and experience a form of depression. Depression is one of the hardest stages to deal with, however, it is a very normal stage. If symptoms persist for a concerning amount of time, or you are battling to come to terms with it, it is recommended that you talk to a psychologist. This stage is the hardest stage to overcome, but it will eventually pass.
5. Acceptance
Eventually, we all come to terms with grief, each person taking their own time and finding their own ways to deal with the various stages of grief. We will always feel the pain of the loss, but by this stage, we are usually stronger and have come to accept what has happened. By this stage, you have learnt to live with what has happened and you are able to move forward with your life, cherishing the old memories whilst making new ones.
Remember Your Loved Ones with Loving Ashes
Grief is never easy to overcome, however, it is possible to return to the happy life you once had. Remember your loved one today and every day with a customized glass orb or heart made with a small sample of your loved one’s ashes. Call Loving Ashes today to discuss how we can create the perfect decorative piece in honour of your loved one.
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