When working with a compassionate funeral home to plan services, it’s natural to discuss what it feels like to miss your loved one. While grief counseling is widely embraced in these situations, it’s important to remember that ambiguous loss or the stress and grief you experience due to other moments in life such as divorce, aging parents, or children leaving the nest, require attention and coping skills as well. If you’re dealing with ambiguous loss, here are four tips to help you work through challenging emotions. 

How to Cope With Ambiguous Loss or Missing a Loved One

1. Recognize Your Feelings

Before finding outlets to deal with ambiguous loss, start by checking in with yourself and recognizing you’re going through something. By naming your emotions and accepting you haven’t done anything wrong, you can express your feelings in a healthy and productive way. 

2. Lean on Family & Friends

When missing a loved one or grappling with a friend’s recent health diagnosis, isolation may feel like a comfortable solution. Instead, reach out to family and friends to create a support system. By talking through your emotions and bonding with others, you can work toward coming to terms with your grief. 

3. Explore Grief Counseling

Grief counseling is not exclusively available for individuals who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one. Therapists and support groups for others dealing with ambiguous loss are available and a great way to reach the acceptance stage. 

4. Self-Care

Many people dealing with ambiguous loss are anxious and stressed due to lack of control over their situation. In these times of uncertainty, embrace self-care and participate in activities that make you feel happy and in control, whether it’s meditation, group exercise, or a dance class. 

At Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, we believe in a compassionate, full-service approach to helping clients make funeral plans. Since 1906, our family-owned and -operated facility has celebrated the lives of locals throughout the greater Trumbull, CT, area with dignity and respect. If you’re looking for an experienced and caring funeral director to help you with every step of the planning process, call (203) 373-1013 to connect with a supportive member of our staff. For more information on the funeral services and grief counseling resources we offer, visit our website.