Practical Bereavement Support Guide
There are some excellent books available to help support you in and through your grief. This is a practical guide based on the book On Grief and Grieving by Kübler-Ross & Kessler. It’s designed to provide a daily/weekly support framework to help process loss in a manageable way.
1. Acknowledge Your Feelings
Name what you feel each day: sadness, anger, guilt, relief, or confusion.
Tip: Keep a grief journal. Even a few lines a day help process emotions.
2. Understand the Stages of Grief (Remember they don’t always follow a set order)
Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance
You might experience stages in any order, repeat stages, or skip some.
Action: Don’t judge yourself for how you feel; allow the emotion to exist.
3. Create Daily Rituals
Simple routines help provide stability: walk, make tea, light a candle, or call a friend.
Rituals can anchor you when emotions feel overwhelming.
4. Seek Support
Talk to trusted friends or family.
Join a grief or bereavement support group (in-person or online).
Professional counselling can help if grief feels unmanageable.
5. Take Care of Your Body
Eat regularly, stay hydrated, and move your body (walk, stretch, light exercise).
Grief impacts physical health; small acts of self-care are vital.
6. Cherish the Memories You Hold
Create a memory ritual: photo albums, letters, or dedicating time to remember them.
This helps integrate the loss into your ongoing life.
7. Allow Yourself Moments of Joy
Feeling happy does not mean forgetting the person.
Let yourself experience laughter, hobbies, or time with others.
8. Be Patient With Yourself
Remember that grief has no set timeline.
