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It doesn’t matter how old you are or how expected the death was, losing a parent is a difficult emotional experience for any person. While you may be tasked with the responsibility of planning funeral services — especially if you are the next-of-kin — it is important to respect your need to grieve. If you are struggling with the loss of a parent, here are a few tips that may help make the grieving process more manageable.

3 Ways to Cope With the Death of a Parent

1. Allow Yourself Time to Grieve

There are five commonly expected stages of grief: denial, anger, depression, bargaining, and acceptance. However, there is no clear order or time limit associated with this process. Given these variable circumstances, you shouldn’t expect bereavement to end when the funeral services are over. Doing so may only cause stress and make it harder to practice self-care. Instead, let yourself feel the emotions that come your way and take time away from high-pressure responsibilities.

2. Communicate Openly With Loved Ones

funeral servicesWhile you can spend some time alone, it’s also important to communicate with those close to you. Letting your spouse, friends, and children know how you are feeling can help them better understand how to offer you the support you need. If you have siblings, it can also be comforting to speak to them about your emotions, as they will likely be experiencing similar feeling after losing a parent as well.

You can also turn to professionals for help. There are many grief counseling organizations that offer one-on-one and group support. During your sessions, you’ll learn more about the grieving process and how to manage its challenges in a healthy manner.

3. Find Ways to Honor Their Memory

Knowing that a parent is gone forever is not an easy thing to accept. However, it doesn’t mean their memory has to disappear. Prepare eulogies and obituaries to illustrate your loved one’s accomplishments and how they impacted your life. Afterward, you may find that celebrating your parent’s birthday, adopting some of their traditions, or treasuring some of their belongings will help you stay connected to their legacy after the funeral service.

 

If you have recently lost a loved one, Abriola Parkview Funeral Home offers a variety of compassionate services to help you honor their life. Serving the Trumbull, CT, area since 1906, our family-owned funeral home takes pride in providing each client with respect and personalized funeral services. From navigating you through cremation and burial decisions to introducing you to top grief counseling resources, our team of specialists will be with your family every step of the way. Learn more about these resources online or by calling (203) 373-1013 to speak with one of our caring funeral directors.

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