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Jan 15, 2021 · Knowing what to do when a spouse dies suddenly can help save you a lot of stress and frustration in the days ahead. You’ll need to know what to do, who to call, and how to get certain things done even while you’re trying to cope with your pain and sorrow.
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Jun 19, 2019 · When a spouse dies, whether suddenly or after a long illness, the loss is often felt in waves of grief. As you’re dealing with emotions, such as shock, sadness, regret or even relief, you’re also expected to take charge of next steps.
- Grief Comes in Waves
- Grief Makes Your Brain Play Tricks on You
- Kind People Make A Huge Difference
- It’S Hard For People to Sit with Someone Who Is Sad
- Practical Tasks Feel Overwhelming
- Grief Doesn’T Have A Timeline
- Grief Is The Process by Which We Heal
- A Word from Verywell
After my husband died, the grief initially felt constant. As the months passed, however, the painful feelings came in waves. Sadness, anger, anxiety, and many other jumbled emotions would come and go. I might laugh one minute only to feel guiltythat I was having fun just moments later. Or, an otherwise happy trip to the store might be interrupted w...
Even after my husband died, there were times my mind would almost act as if he were back. There were moments when I’d think, 'I can’t wait to tell Lincoln about this!' And then, I’d remember this was permanent. He wasn’t just away on a trip that would end with him walking through the door again. He was gone. It was as if my brain couldn’t quite pro...
In the days after my husband died, some people sent cards. Others delivered food to my house. And lots of people spent time with me. It was such a relief to be surrounded by kind people who cared. Most people weren’t sure what to say or do. But all acts of kindnesshelped me feel a little less alone.
It’s really tough to sit with someone when they’re in emotional pain. So it’s not surprising that a lot of people tried to cheer me up with jokes or by offering a ‘silver lining’ to my situation. Of course, their heart was in the right place. And while having fun and sharing laughs can be part of the healing process, there was sometimes pressure to...
And, of course, the list of practical things I had to get doneafter my husband died didn’t end with the funeral. I had to decide what to sell (like Lincoln’s car), send death certificates to cancel services, and figure out how to get by financially once I was down to one income. Those tasks are so hard to do. Regrettably, I’m sure I took out my fru...
The mental health agency where I worked as a therapist granted me three days of bereavement time. Sadly, that’s more than some people get when they lose a loved one. Clearly, I was not in shape to work as a therapist after three days. I applied for short-term disability but was told our disability plan “doesn’t cover grief.” But as a therapist, I k...
Grief is unquestionably painful. And it’s tempting to try and go around the pain. I wanted to distract myself and fast forward until I felt better. I had to allow myself to experience many really uncomfortable emotionsif I wanted to come out on the other side someday. And I’m grateful now that I did. As tough as those years were, allowing myself to...
Writing an obituary and planning a funeral would be tough for me on my best day. But doing those things when I was at my worst felt nearly impossible. Although your journey through grief will be an individual one, getting support can help you through the process. Whether that means talking to an individual therapist, attending an in-person support ...
- Sheri Stritof
- Go Easy on Yourself After the Loss of a Spouse. There is no right way to feel after losing your spouse. So many variables contribute to your reaction, including how long and happy your marriage was, how your spouse died, how old your children are (if you have them), and how dependent you were on one another.
- Take Care of Your Physical Health. Grieving can take a toll on your body as well as your emotions. You may have no appetite or have trouble sleeping. It may be easier said than done, but try to take care of yourself by eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep.
- Seek Support After the Loss of Your Spouse. Coping with the aftermath of loss is often extremely lonely and confusing, and it is not unusual to feel depressed.
- Adjust Your Social Life. Navigating your social life as a single person can be complicated. If you and your spouse socialized with other couples regularly, you may not know how to fit in now.
Mar 2, 2020 · 1. Denial: You experience shock and disbelief, frequently accompanied by numbness, detachment, or disassociation. You may focus on facts or keep busy, anything to delay experiencing the pain...
Get help for your grief after the death of a spouse. Read about bereavement counseling, support groups, and how to get on with life without your partner.
May 19, 2023 · Here’s a checklist of the basic steps to follow in the event of a sudden death of your spouse, parents or others for whom you are the main survivor.
