Losing a spouse is one of the hardest things a person can experience. During this time, you may struggle with difficult emotions and wonder how to get through the funeral planning and mourning process. Although nothing can replace your loved one, the following tips will help make the weeks and months ahead a bit easier. 

How to Manage the Mourning Period After Losing a Spouse

1. Be Gentle With Yourself

In the aftermath of a passing, you’ll likely experience a wide range of emotions at unexpected intervals. You might feel angry one minute and then guilty or sad the next. During this time, it’s crucial to be patient with yourself. Allow yourself to go through each emotion while understanding that your thoughts and feelings are valid. Don’t feel like you have to get through one phase in a particular amount of time or beat yourself up for feeling a certain way; everyone grieves differently, and the best way to get through it is to be gentle with yourself. 

2. Lean on Your Loved Ones

After your spouse passes away, you might feel alone. However, your friends and family will want to be there during this time to support you. Lean on them if you need to vent or get out of the house for a little while. 

3. Find Ways to Honor Their Memory

Moving forward, one of the most beautiful ways to keep your partner’s legacy alive is to find methods to honor their memory. You can do this during the funeral planning process by incorporating elements that represent who they were. For example, you can play music they loved or use their favorite colors for part of the decor. As the years go by, you can continue to honor their memory in other ways, such as by donating to a charity they loved, visiting a special location on the anniversary of their passing, or taking up a hobby they enjoyed. 

If you recently lost a spouse and need help with funeral planning or putting together memorial arrangements, the team at Fossum Funeral Home in Onalaska, WI, can help. Since 1926, these compassionate professionals have made it their mission to honor the lives of lost loved ones with meaningful, beautiful, and respectful services. Visit their website to learn more about what they do, and call (608) 783-9777 to start the funeral planning process today.