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What are the 5 Stages of Grief After Loss?
When it comes to loss, grief can cause many emotions that might feel confusing. Today’s blog will discuss the five stages that come with grief to help make the process easier.
Mourning a loss consists of multiple phases of feelings that need to be worked through in each step. There is no manual to navigate this situation, and everyone’s experience is different, so it needs to be honored as the emotions arise. If you know someone who is looking at funeral homes in Plymouth Township, MI, you might be wondering if there are some ways that you can help them with their process.
With some patience, compassion, and additional resources such as support groups, the individual can begin to live with the loss.
The 5 Stages
Denial
The first stage that can occur is denial, and its primary purpose is to help mediate some of the emotions and shock that can arise with a loss. With denial, multiple things can happen, and a few examples can look like:
The individual facing the loss may fantasize that it was a mistake, and the person is not gone. If the individual has experienced a breakup, they might tell themselves that the partner will regret it and come back.
It's not uncommon for the individual to feel numb, and it can be difficult for them to move on. It is the first step that will help carry them through the beginning stages of the pain, and when they're ready, they can start to move on.
Anger
Anger can manifest from sadness around the loss and be redirected and expressed as anger. This emotion can feel overwhelming because, in many cultures, it's feared and rejected. If the individual is going through anger, it's good to remind them that it's okay to have the feeling to try to help them work through it.
Bargaining
In this stage, the individual may be holding on to hope and that if they are willing to sacrifice, their life might be restored to how it was before the loss. It's not uncommon for them to think “what if” or “if only” that they could have done something differently to prevent it. This is an indicator the individual is beginning to heal, which can help them move on.
Depression
Depression will be the next phase, and there's no set time on how long it will last. In this situation, depression can be considered natural and appropriate in response to what has happened. The individual might feel:
- Fatigue
- Confused
- Unmotivated
- Not hungry or not wanting to do things they used to
These are all typical, and everyone's different in their experiences, but it is a necessary part of the healing process.
Acceptance
Once the person reaches acceptance, it's simply about acknowledging that they've experienced a loss and re-learning how to live their life without the companion or loved one.
Quality for the Community
The five stages can fluctuate, and it's not uncommon for an individual to go back and forth between emotions. Schrader-Howell Funeral Home understands the complexity of loss, and we want you to know we're here to offer compassionate care to all our clients. If you're looking at funeral homes in Plymouth Township, MI, we want you to know we're here to help, so give us a call today to get started.
