Coping with Death

Death can be very cruel. A beautiful little boy from Te Anau, New Zealand, recently passed away from cancer. I donated and helped raise funds for him/his family when his story was first shared. As a parent, I’ve empathised with what his parents must be going through. I followed all the updates about Luka and commend their being open with their journey.

Six Practical Tips to Cope with Death

Coping with death, especially of a child has got to be the most painful thing to deal with in this world. However there are practical things that can be done to help with death acceptance. Of course, also depending on the circumstances, death acceptance can be easier or harder. For example, in cases of suicide or sudden death, feelings of grief and loss can be even more severe than in an “expected death.” On the other hand, the more time spent in preparation for death, the easier it is to cope. Here are six practical tips to cope with death:

• No matter what your beliefs, seeking some form of prayer or meditation can be extremely beneficial. If you are interested to learn more about this, feel free to leave a comment below.
• Talk about what you are feeling. Depending on your situation, you may find it easier to talk to strangers (such as in grief support groups or death cafes) rather than to family.
• Don’t be afraid to release emotions. This is also very much connected to the next point, but bottling in your emotions is not helpful. Sometimes a good cry is just really helpful. This is all part of processing the emotions. At the same time, it is helpful to remember that dwelling on the pain and grief tends to perpetuate them rather than alleviate them. That said, grief tends to come in waves and can sometimes be totally unexpected. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
• Keep moving or get moving! When you least feel like it, get out and exercise. On the days you feel like dying and staying in bed are the days you really need to get moving.
• Get writing or recording! Expressing your feelings or remembering favorite memories about your departed loved one(s) can be a very healing experience.
• Take part in meaningful activities such as volunteering or helping care for loved ones and friends.

Anything else you recommend? Please comment below.