In Grief: Family Disagreements Regarding Funerals

[Reviewed and updated October 6, 2018]

I think the funeral, done right, is vital to the healing of broken hearts.  ~ Doug Manning

A reader writes: I recently located your website and wanted to inquire about your experiences. I am sure in your profession you have seen a variety of ways that people deal with grief differently. How often have you come across a family member who disagrees with how the other is handling their grief? Specifically, when there are disagreements whether someone should view a body or attend a funeral?

Understanding and Managing Grief, June 18 - June 24, 2017

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

 Lovely! Nancy Sharp on helping children remember their deceased father: What does it mean to love when you can't remember? http://j.mp/2tYAf6y « Option B

Megan Devine on grief work and how we can carry what can't be fixed, http://j.mp/2tYk898 « Raven Radio

Therapy dogs in funeral homes help mourners process, http://j.mp/2sZci1V «TODAY

Understanding and Managing Grief, June 11 - June 17, 2017

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

Heidi Horsley on Sibling Loss: "Finding Hope and Transforming My Life,” http://j.mp/2tz25Gu « OptionB

A Funeral Sermon for My Friend Who Committed Suicide, http://j.mp/2sy4nIG « CCC Discover

Coping with Grief on Father’s Day: Selected Resources, http://j.mp/1tlWtPh « Grief Healing

Coping with Pet Loss, June 11 - June 17, 2017

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

Actor Tom Hardy's Emotional Tribute to Dog, http://j.mp/2tevHsv « TruDog®

When a Pet Dies, Helping Children Through the ‘Worst Day of Their Lives,’ http://j.mp/2tb86bY « The New York Times

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.

In Grief: Death of a Possibility

[Reviewed and updated March 8, 2022]

Nothing is more sad than the death of an illusion.  ~ Arthur Koestler

A reader writes: My dad has been deceased for two years, and I am just coming to grips with the fact that he is really gone. It seems like only yesterday I got the phone call that changed my life forever.

My dad and I were never really close. His traumatic childhood had left him in a 24/7 dream world, and my parents divorced when I was about 4 years of age. My dad was a very sick man with schizophrenia and alcoholism. My mom left him when he became physically abusive, and throughout my childhood I met with him maybe five times. I have since forgiven him for what he did in the past to my mom and me, as he was sick and could not control his actions or words.

Caregiving and Hospice, June 4 - June 10, 2017

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

‘How long have I got?’: Why many cancer patients don’t have answers, http://j.mp/2t5PNoM « USA Today

If I Can't Speak For Myself...  http://bit.ly/2rQOcnb  Barbara Karnes RN

When a Loved Chooses to Stop Treatment, http://bit.ly/2s9PiwX « Seven Ponds Blog

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, June 4 - June 10, 2017

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

It's hard to articulate grief after a suicide – but we still need support, http://bit.ly/2s4W9rh  « The Guardian

Powerful: The Gifts We Give, The Gifts We Are, http://bit.ly/2s4ZmqB « On Being

Finding the Strength You Need, http://bit.ly/2r18Obr « Open to Hope

Coping with Pet Loss, June 4 - June 10, 2017

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

Euthanasia Outside of the Veterinary Hospital, http://bit.ly/2qXF5iG « Spot Speaks 

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.

Voices of Experience: Tips to Make Your Way through Grief

You are never really prepared for grief and you can't truly understand it unless you've been there. ~ Anonymous

Kay Oxford is a retired office manager and bookkeeper who lives in the mountains of the northwestern United States with her Alaskan Klee Kai pup Kodie. Since the sudden and unexpected loss of her beloved husband George, who died of a heart attack in 2005, Kay has been active in online grief forums for nearly two decades. She also facilitates the in-person grief support group she started in her community. Here she shares some of the suggestions she has found to be useful in navigating her own grief journey:

Caregiving and Hospice, May 28 - June 3, 2017

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

I Will Help You: Palliative Care Support Before Hospice, http://bit.ly/2qyUUwU « Elaine Mansfield

New resources from Alzheimer's Association for primary care providers, http://bit.ly/2sbe3p7 « ehospice USA

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, May 28 - June 3, 2017

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

Grief Healing: Finding a Place of Hope - Interview, http://bit.ly/2rKV4p4 « Open To Hope

The Surprising Truth About Ritual and Grief, http://bit.ly/2rv88Ov « What's Your Grief?

Traumatic Loss: Needing To View The Body, http://bit.ly/2rfaGjq « 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.