How to Say Goodbye When It's Too Early #healthy2002 #grief #mentalhealth

Grief is a part of life that nobody looks forward to experiencing. However, the reality is that grief is something we all experience. Last year, my family lost two family members within two months. Until then, we had no idea about the large number of tasks that surround handling a person's estate. Today, The Weekend Gourmet correspondent is exploring the administrative details that come hand-in-hand with grief. This article may contain affiliate links.

Grief is an incredibly difficult journey for everyone. Unfortunately, it’s something that will hit every family at some point. When it does, it's always far too soon -- all the would haves, could haves, should haves come to mind. 

If only I had known before, I would have spent more time with him...I should have done more with her. 

Grief often begins in guilt and regret, the bitterness of the past, and the slow discovery that nothing will ever be exactly the same. The emotional journey of grief is different for everyone, but it's always a hardship. However, the administrative journey of grieving is just as demanding. More often than not, managing your grief is accompanied by filling out a pile of forms and papers. Emotionally, you can’t heal as long as you refuse to accept the reality of the situation. Administratively, you learn to organize your life differently. In the long term, this helps you to accept the reality of your situation moving forward. 

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You Prepare Together

Grief can hit you suddenly -- or it can give you plenty of time to prepare. When your loved one receives alarming health news from their doctor, you can rely on the trusted relationship with a primary care doctor. Indeed, the doctor can act as a confidant and guide to accompany your relative to the end, providing medical advice and emotional support to both the patient and their family. When the family has time to adequately prepare, grief is often less of a shock. Instead, it becomes a journey where everybody involved understands what they need to do. You may even find your relative openly discussing their preferred funeral plans. As surprising as this might sound, many people who have lost someone to a long-term disease have found that administration of their loved one's final weeks and days helps them to grieve.

You Plan Together

Speaking of your relative’s funeral plan, it’s important to get organized about the funeral arrangements -- including whether you’ll be having a burial or cremation. If you decide that cremation is your choice, there are plenty of options when it comes to funeral cremation urns by Memorials.com. It’s essential to complete this task as quickly as possible. However, it’s something you should do together, as a family. Grief can feel like a ton of bricks has hit you, so you’ll appreciate having support from others -- even if it’s family members who are going through the grief process with you.

It Came As a Shock, But Could It Have Been Avoided?

Unfortunately, grief can sometimes appear without warning. Freak accidents can unexpectedly rob you of a loved one. In those situations, it’s only natural to want to blame someone. It was too early...you weren't ready to let your loved one go. Sometimes, there is indeed a party to blame for the tragedy. You may find the answer via wrongful death attorneys who deliver quality legal services. While no lawsuit will bring your loved one back...or give you back the years that were stolen from your family...it can help provide an explanation. Knowing precisely what happened -- and why it happened -- can help you deal with your grief more peacefully. 

Is There a Way to Replace the Loss of Income?

Bottom line: losing a loved one is painful. But losing one of the income-earners in your household can also bring serious financial issues. Knowing you can rely on some form of financial support during those hard times can make a huge difference to your grieving process. That’s precisely why life insurance is so important for families. Alternatively, you may find you're due some sort of compensation. Your deceased relative’s workplace may also provide a financial payoff. Sorting out these practical financial issues will help you cope with the stress surrounding the loss of a spouse or parent.

The administration of grief is the most commonly misunderstood form of grieving. Indeed, as you begin to handle necessary post-death processes and procedures, you give yourself time to process the news. However, the truth is that nobody is ever ready to let go of someone they love. However, effectively taking care of the administration side of things is vital to your long-term healing.