In Grief: Sifting and Sorting A Loved One's Personal Belongings

[Reviewed and updated April 1, 2024]

The best linking object, if it can be called that, is the love you feel for the departed. Wherever you go, whatever you do, this love is always with you. ~ Harriet Hodgson

A reader writes: It is going on two months since my dad passed away and I am doing a little better now than when I last wrote to you. I still have my real sad days though about him and mom at times. I have been to the cemetery a couple of times also to visit their graves. I still miss them terribly . . .What is a very hard process for me right now is doing away with my parents’ personal belongings.

Caregiving and Hospice, February 18 - February 24, 2018

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

The POLST Care Continuum Toolkit, http://j.mp/2GBjmW2 « National POLST Paradigm

A Stage-4 Cancer Patient Shares The Pain And Clarity Of Living 'Scan-To-Scan', http://j.mp/2GBnKEx « NPR

How to Say Goodbye to a Loved One, http://j.mp/2jgIJCa « Hospice Red River Valley

Understanding and Managing Grief, February 18 - February 24, 2018

Best selection from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Breathe. Eat. Sleep. http://j.mp/2HFwkDd « Widower's Grief

Explaining Pet Loss to Children: Some Do's and Don'ts, http://j.mp/2Cw2rll « Grief Healing

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below. If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Explaining Pet Loss to Children: Some Do's and Don'ts

[Reviewed and updated December 8, 2022]

Childhood is the kingdom where nobody dies. ~ Edna St. Vincent Millay

Whether it’s a dog or a cat, a Guinea pig, a hamster or a goldfish, the death of a pet is often a young family’s first experience with significant loss. As a grief counselor who also specializes in pet loss, I am often asked by teachers, parents, grandparents and others how best to explain to children the death of a family pet. Here are the points I encourage them to consider.

Understanding and Managing Grief, February 11 - February 17, 2018

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

When Grief Causes Guilt, http://j.mp/2EwAsrk « Second Firsts

Go First, Say Their Name, http://j.mp/2EuRpT3 « Grief Compass

My Guide to Finding Love After Loss, http://j.mp/2EuHuwO « Modern Loss

Voices of Experience: One More River to Cross

Image by Joy Filomena

by Mary Jo Heyen

“Everything is upside down and I’m afraid of losing my balance…of falling.”

“I tell people I’m not afraid of dying but I am…”

“Here comes the grief and tears…”

“I feel lost but I know I’m not lost…”

“I could wake myself up when I was scared…but I can’t anymore…”

“My spirit is alive but my spirit can’t move my body…”

“I’m finding I’m feeling a bit less fear…”

“I have one more river to cross…the river Jordan”

“I feel the love…”

These are some of the words and experiences that unfolded over a two week period when I had the honor of being present with and exploring the many dreams and visions of a hospice patient, Gavin (name changed), until his death.

Understanding and Managing Grief, February 4 - February 10, 2018

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Grief Rituals Can Help on Valentine's Day, http://j.mp/2rPSqiJ « Grief Healing

Grieving well takes a village, or at least a team, http://j.mp/2EaZdsR « The Grief Toolbox

Grief advice for a complacent millenial, http://j.mp/2Ebps2p « Widower's Grief

Coping with Pet Loss, February 4 - February 10, 2018

Best selection from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

The Last Miles, http://j.mp/2GR9KHl « Jamie Sheffield

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below. If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Mother Loss: Years Later, Still Can't Cope

[Reviewed and updated August 25, 2019]

The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is NOW.  ~ Chinese Proverb

A reader writes: I lost my mum to cancer 8 years ago. I was 17. My brothers were 15 and 13. We have no dad as he never wanted to know us and left years ago. So now I have neither parent. My beautiful mummy was 42 when she died, she would have been 50 this year. She had 16 months of pain and suffering with us by her side until her cancer finally got the better of her and we lost her.

Caregiving and Hospice, January 28 - February 3, 2018

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Why It Helps to Understand Palliative Care Options Before We’re Sick: The Hospicare PATH Program (Palliative Approach to Health), http://j.mp/2s7OFW5 « Hospicare

When Pretense Is All That's Left, http://j.mp/2GtKMxy « Seven Ponds Blog

Grief During the Last Stages of His Life, http://j.mp/2Gu1Q6R « Barbara Karnes, RN

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below. If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Understanding and Managing Grief, January 28 - February 3, 2018

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Talking Openly About Suicide, http://j.mp/2rVFVCg « Seleni Institute

I Don't Know Who I Am Anymore: Grief and Loss of Identity, http://j.mp/2GyYXBN « What's Your Grief?

Grief During the Last Stages of His Life, http://j.mp/2Gu1Q6R « Barbara Karnes, RN