The loss of a loved one is a trying time, but everyone handles grief in their own way. Understanding the process and allowing it to run its course will help each individual navigate their path toward healing more successfully. The compassionate funeral directors at Rochester, NY’s Leo M. Bean And Sons Funeral Home are here to share some helpful steps toward healing a griever’s broken heart. The family-owned and -operated funeral home has served the community for over four decades, offering funeral and cremation services to those in need.

Here are three steps from the local funeral directors to help heal a griever’s broken heart:

• Recognize Grief: Everyone experiences grief differently, so there is no one clear way to grieve. While some bear significant pain at the funeral service itself, somber feelings don’t set in for others until days later. One grieving friend might want to discuss their loss, while another will require significant alone time. No matter how it’s experienced, grief is a process. The griever must adapt to living in a world without their loved one, and that’s a difficult process no matter how it’s experienced. Highs and lows will happen, but they’re necessary to heal a broken heart.
• Ensure That the Griever Is Well Taken Care of: The stress caused by grieving places many people into a depressed state long after the funeral service is over. They might neglect their favorite hobbies, skip going out with friends, or avoid taking care of their bodies in an attempt to accommodate. Neglecting both emotional and physical health won’t help the grieving process, however. If you notice a friend is struggling after a funeral, offer to cook them a meal, watch their favorite movie, or go for a walk together. Every little moment counts, and it takes away from the natural stress that occurs during the healing process.
• Talk it Through: While many people going through the healing process prefer to grieve by themselves, it’s important to let them know they are not alone. Sadness isn’t going to disappear overnight, but even if a griever prefers alone time, funeral directors recommend letting them know there’s a support system to rely on. If that person needs to open up at a later time, they’ll turn to the people who were by their side all along.

If you know someone who’s experiencing grief after a friend or family funeral, let them know the process is completely normal. Grieving is a natural way of healing after a loss, and they are never alone. The funeral directors at Leo M. Bean And Sons Funeral Home understand that the death of a loved one is a trying time, so they work with the utmost compassion to help those in grief heal in their own unique way. Visit their website for more information, or call (585) 426-7830. You can also connect with the funeral directors on Facebook.