Grief is a personal journey, and no one grieves the same. There are stages, however, that are common to everyone. If you’ve recently lost a loved one, you likely encounter these stages at your own pace. The process can be brief, or it will take long after the memorial service ends to complete. Here’s a quick look at the five stages and what you can expect as you mourn the loss of your loved one. 

5 Steps of the Grieving Process

1. Denial

Upon hearing of a loved one passing away, denial often occurs. This is the shock that comes with the tragic news and the unwillingness to believe it’s true. This information is difficult to process, and your brain needs time to adjust the new reality. 

2. Anger

You may feel angry in the wake of loss, once the denial has passed and you’ve come to terms with the situation. This anger is different than other feelings of discontent; it’s the byproduct of fear, sadness, and guilt. Anger is easier to manage and can anchor you during a time when it feels like nothing makes sense. This phase is difficult, but it’s an important part of the healing process as it allows you to work through your feelings. 

3. Bargaining

In the wake of anger, it’s common to feel sorrowful and desperate. This is when the bargaining phase begins. You may think things like, “I promise to be a better person if I can wake up tomorrow and this is all a bad dream.” In desperation, it’s common to try and bargain with higher powers to return the loved one. 

4. Depression

After the bargaining phase, depression sets in. You now understand that you can’t bargain for them, and you’re too emotionally drained for anger. Panic subsides and the fog clears. During this stage, you may feel inclined to be isolated as you work through the complex emotions of mourning. 

5. Acceptance

The acceptance phase is like walking out of the mists and back into the world again. While the pain of loss is still present, it isn’t debilitating. You may still feel the sadness of the depression phase, but you’re less likely to deal with anger, denial, and bargaining. 

The loss of a loved one is a traumatic time. Let the professionals at Brown Funeral Homes & Cremations in Martinsburg, WV, help. They understand how difficult it is to make decisions regarding burial and memorial service planning under the shroud of grief. This is why they offer affordable and convenient memorial service options. Visit them online to view their services or call them today at (304) 263-8896.