A Parent's Grief
There are many resources and organizations to assist
bereaved parents and family members such as siblings and
grandparents. It is our desire to make these easily accessible to
you as you seek out information concerning parental grief. One of
the most widely known organizations is
The
Compassionate Friends, and we highly recommend this group of
volunteers. The members are bereaved parents who volunteer
tirelessly in order to help others facing the same type of loss.
There are local chapters in Fayetteville and in Wake County. We can
assist you in finding out more information about upcoming meetings and
resources available from these local chapters.
The Grief
Resources Library at O'Quinn-Peebles has books available for
you to check out and read at your own pace and in the privacy of your home
along with Various Articles
available on our web-site. There are several web-sites dedicated to helping families that
have lost a child, and we have their links available to you at our Online
Resources page. If you should find a site that is
particularly helpful to you and it is not listed on our site, please let
us know so that we may share it with others.
No matter what others may say or what you might expect of
yourself, grief is as individual as the person grieving. There is no
wrong way to grieve, and no standard that you have to match in order to be
grieving "properly". While each person expresses their
grief in unique ways, there are some feelings that many parents
experience:
-
Shock - shock shuts the body down and makes everything
numb
-
Anguish - unexpected moments when the pain rises up
-
Rage - violent and explosive anger
-
Anger - less intense and more manageable than rage but
a strong emotion
-
Blame - seeking out a guilty party either real or
imagined
-
Fear - uncertainty over what lies ahead for self and
family
-
Guilt - blaming one's self with thoughts of "what
if I had....."
-
Suicidal Thoughts - common in bereaved parents, but
the parent should seek out an understanding spouse or friend to share
these thoughts with.
Grief is not only a mental and an emotional pain, but it
also involves physical pain. A bereaved person is often forgetful,
suffers from insomnia, eating or digestion difficulties and other physical
ailments. While these and other physical problems may be
frustrating, the parent must remember that their body will need time to
recover from the nightmare forced upon them. One of the best things
a bereaved parent can do for is find support of some type. A spouse
is not always the best source of support as they are also grieving and may
not be capable to offer the needed support. A non-judgmental friend
that is available at any hour to offer a listening ear or shoulder to cry
on is a valuable anchor in stormy seas.
Really Listening to Bereaved
Parents and Siblings
Brochures provided by The Compassionate Friends:
Surviving
Your Child's Suicide
Understanding
Grief When A Child Dies
Caring
For Surviving Children
These are a few of the brochures provided by The Compassionate
Friends. We have these brochures available at the funeral home, and
would be glad to mail them out if requested. Just call or email us
using the link below and let us know which titles you would like.
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