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Grief is the natural reaction to a significant loss. The emotional process allows those in mourning to cope with their feelings and eventually move forward in healing. When a friend or family member is grieving, you might not know how to support them. Learn about the five stages of grief to help you understand what they may be experiencing.

5 Steps in the Grieving Process

1. Denial

Because the passing of a loved one is hard to accept, many will deny death as a reality. This is usually the first emotion people feel, as it’s too overwhelming to acknowledge the finality of the situation. They’ll need to process everything in their own time.

2. Anger

Next, it’s common to turn angry. Once they realize their loved one is truly gone, they may feel wronged and want to find someone to blame for the situation. They may take their frustration out on others or direct it at the deceased for leaving them behind.

3. Bargaining

griefAfter losing a loved one, it’s normal to want everything to return to the way it was when the deceased was alive. This can lead people to the bargaining stage, where “if only” thoughts arise in an attempt to negotiate an alternate truth. Generally, bargaining is about regaining control of the circumstances and avoiding the cause of their grief.  

4. Depression

Once someone has become immersed in grief, they may start to feel lonely, hopeless, and sad. These are normal emotions people experience when depressed. Depression can come on suddenly and may accompany other stages as well. They might withdraw into isolation and have trouble eating and sleeping.

5. Acceptance

For an individual to reach acceptance, it means they’ve come to terms with their loss and understand their new permanent reality. Although the grief may remain, they’re in a more emotionally stable place and finally feel like they’ll survive.

 

If you have a loved one who is dealing with grief and in charge of planning a funeral, Mihovk-Rosenacker Funeral Home will help them navigate this challenging time. For more than a century, this family-owned funeral home has assisted families throughout the Cincinnati, OH, area. They provide a variety of ceremony and burial options to ensure a meaningful and unique remembrance that properly honors the deceased’s memory. Call (513) 385-0511 to schedule a consultation, or visit them online for more information on what they offer.

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