Whether you were together for a few months or decades, the loss of a spouse can be particularly challenging. The attachment you feel for your husband or wife doesn’t stop when they pass. That’s why so many surviving partners turn to bereavement services for assistance during the grieving process. The following tips may also help you work through this difficult time.

How to Start Healing After the Death of a Partner

1. Create Small Goals

It’s normal not to feel like yourself during the first few months after a loss. If you have trouble getting through the day, start with the smallest possible goal you can think of, such as getting out of bed before noon.

In a few days, you might move onto fixing yourself a snack, and in a few months, you might be ready to tend to the garden. Remember to go at your own pace. You don’t need to rush to return to your usual routine.

2. Turn to Friends & Family

For many married couples, daily life revolves around one another with little time for individual activities. When your spouse passes, being alone can exacerbate your sadness.

Try to meet up with someone close to you every couple of days. While you might not feel like socializing just yet, it’s important to challenge yourself and commit to these one-on-one interactions. Whether you watch a movie, talk about your late spouse, or simply sit together in silence, avoiding isolation helps your healing process.

3. Memorialize Your Loved One

There are several stages of grief, and in the early ones, it might make you sad to think back on fond memories of your spouse. However, when you’re ready, try to take steps to preserve their memory and celebrate their life.

Whether you make a book out of their photography, sew a quilt from their favorite shirts, or commission a piece of music in their name, honoring your loved one’s spirit may bring you comfort. When you use the quilt at bedtime or share the music with family and friends, you celebrate the time you spent together.

If you recently lost a loved one, turn to Lifetime Care in New York for bereavement services. Since 1960, this health care center has provided support to residents of the Finger Lakes Region. They offer support groups, wellness classes, and counseling to help you cope with a range of emotions. Visit their website to learn more about their bereavement services, or call (585) 214-1000 to get involved.