Attending the funeral or memorial service of a loved one is difficult, but you can learn to navigate your grief in a healthy, effective manner. Many coping mechanisms and activities can help you move through the bereavement process. Try the methods below to see which work best for you.

How to Process Grief After a Funeral

1. Think About Them

Plan specific times throughout the day to devote to mourning your loved one. This gives you space to grieve, and the structure allows you to take control. Set aside 10 or 20 minutes a day to light a candle by their photo or pray about them. Arrange weekly or monthly activities in their honor. Acts like volunteering or starting a community garden will get you active, around other people, and feeling closer to your loved one.

2. Write About It

Writing about your loss will help you organize and process your thoughts and feelings. Try keeping a journal, and write about your emotions on your loved one’s passing. If daily journaling isn’t your preference, write a note to your lost loved one, encompassing everything you want to say to them. This will help get your thoughts off your chest and provide a sense of closure. Once you’re done, either keep or discard the letter.

3. Plan an Annual Memorial

Having an annual memorial service to remember your loved one allows you to reflect on the past year, honor your loved one’s memory, and connect with others that knew them (if you don’t observe the event alone). The event could take place on their birthday, the day they passed, or the day of their funeral, and it can be as simple as you’d like. If your loved one had a wild spirit and a heart for socializing, throw a celebration of their life, inviting everyone that knew them to come and share memories. For those who’d appreciate a calmer event, gather for a meal at home with friends and family or visit their gravesite.

Since 1889, Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home in Ranson, WV, has provided custom, professional funeral services to Ranson, Charles Town, Martinsburg, and Inwood. From preplanning to arranging a memorial service to offering grief support, their services are comprehensive and personalized, and their staff is courteous, respectful, and available to help with whatever you need. View their grief and bereavement resources online and call (304) 725-7068 to make arrangements.