I want to share some insights I have learned concerning bereavement:
  • Grieving people are best helped by those that have also lost a loved one.
  • The process of grieving begins the day that your loved one is diagnosis and does not end until one's own death.
  • Grieving people need an emotionally safe place where they can talk without fear, interruption or judgment.
  • Grief is an extremely personal journey and is unique to each person.
  • Grief is NOT tied to a specific time frame.
  • People who are grieving do not always follow expected notions of behavior.
  • Grieving people need the understanding of friends to help them make life changes.
I believe we must respect all forms of loss and take into account the differences in cultural and religious traditions.  People will honor their loved ones in their own personal way.