Coping With Grief

There are many events that can cause one to cope with grief. A job loss, the death of a pet, the loss of a dream, the loss of financial stability and the loss of a loved one are just some examples of life's tests. Without question, the loss of a loved one or friend presents a challenge for anyone coping with grief.

While friends and family members go about with their lives, there is always a bit of lingering pain. The pain can be emotional or physical. Many persons who have lost a loved one often develop shingles or cannot sleep or cannot concentrate.

These physical conditions gain momentum when the sufferer does not address grief. The loss of life can be so powerful that the grieving process is completely disabling. Psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross identified five stages of grief as Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance.

The five stages of grief are very clear. As no two people grieve the same way, the grieving process varies from person to person in terms of time and magnitude. The common symptoms of grief are:

• Shock – Many grieving people are numb to the event.
• Sadness – A heavy cloud of loss accompanies the loss of a loved one.
• Guilt – It is not uncommon for survivors to feel responsible for the loss.
• Anger – Even when the loss of life comes after a full lifetime, many people close to the deceased person are angry with physicians or caretakers or other family members for any number of reasons.
• Fear – It is common for survivors to feel insecure and anxious. Death reminds us all how fragile life is
• Physical Symptoms – Fatigue, nausea, weight loss, loss of appetite and insomnia are some of the general physical symptoms that accompany grief.
  

Many people turn to counseling services or to their faith to help ease the pain of loss. Today, another popular way to cope with grief is through the use of online memorials. Memorials that permit loved ones and family to express their love, express their emotions or relay memorable stories allow the sufferer to show their love and describe their sense of loss.

An online memorial can include written tributes, images from the past and even clips from films. The tributes help the sufferer and also help other loved ones who take comfort in the ever-growing site.

Tributes can be spur of the moment thoughts or thoughtfully crafted expressions of love. The sufferer can revisit the memorial anytime and can post as many tributes as desired.

To soften the grief, the individual should accept support and should be careful to take care of themselves. While it is often difficult to express one's true thoughts at a wake or funeral, the right message can be posted at the memorial site. Posting tributes is an effective means to help families take comfort in the immediate period following the loss and years down the road.