What is grief?

Grief is all of the painful thoughts and feelings you experience when someone dies.

Grief is not a sign of weakness or a disorder.
It is different for each person.

There is no correct way to grieve because
we all do it differently.
If can affect you in all of these areas:

• your body
• your mind
• your emotions
• and your spirit
  

The Grieving Process Depends on Many Things
How close you were to the person who died.
How greatly your life will be changed because of the death.
Your safety and security level with your support system.
How you have coped with emotional pain in the past.
The circumstance surrounding the death.
Your age and sex.
Your spiritual and religious beliefs.

As you find your way through your grief
you will mourn in a way that works for you.

WHAT IS MOURNING?

Mourning is the process of coping with loss and grief. It is an outward expression of your grief.

It is important to mourn in a way that works for you.

Your challenges while grieving and mourning are different from an adult because your life is complicated as you struggle for your independence.

THE NEEDS OF THE MOURNING

To acknowledge that someone you cared about has died and will not come back.

To move toward and then through the pain of the loss.

To embrace memories and remember the person who died.

To see yourself as a separate and unique person.

To search for the personal meaning of life and death.

To receive ongoing support from people who care.

 
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Nanaimo Community Hospice