Understanding and Managing Grief, October 1 - October 31, 2025

Best selections from Grief Healing's X feed this month:

Grief is a universal experience that touches everyone—from kids to adults. And for fourth grade teacher Ryan Brazil, she used her own recent loss to help educate and open up to her students about grief. She explains what grief is to her students using a vase. Fourth Grade Teacher Explains Grief to Her Students « Upworthy

If ever there is a time when you’re entitled to ignore the rules of etiquette, or a time when immediate thanks is neither expected nor required, it is when you are in mourning.It is perfectly acceptable to express your gratitude for gifts of flowers, donations and other acts of kindness later, when other affairs are in order and when you may feel more up to the task. It is also appropriate to delegate this task to those family members and friends who are willing and able to do it on your behalf. In Grief: On Writing Sympathy Thank-You Notes « Grief Healing

The truth is, it’s not about the words. The truth is, we don’t really care what you say. I take that back. We actually do care...but whatever you say will invariably annoy the hell out of us. It’s not you; it’s us. We can’t hear the words because we’re in severe emotional pain, and you can’t understand our pain because no one can understand unless you have a dead child, so shut the hell up with your “I’m so sorrys” and your “there are no words.” It's Not About The Words « Psychology Today

When deciding whether your child should attend a funeral or memorial service, age is not the most important consideration. Your child is part of the family, and as grief expert Dr. Alan Wolfelt wisely observes, children who are old enough to love are old enough to grieve. In Grief: Should Young Children Attend A Funeral? « Grief Healing

"My husband has advanced-stage lung cancer, and I have to face the inevitable that he will die soon . . . I’m trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my life. I love my husband dearly. I want to be focused on the present. How do I do that?" Anticipatory Grief: Staying Present When Loss Is Inevitable « Grief Healing

Suicide is the 10th-leading cause of death in the United States, according to JAMA Network. In fact, each year, nearly 45,000 Americans die by suicide (44,834 in 2020). But, we must remember that for every suicide that results in death, there are many attempts. That’s why AfterTalk has put together some tips and resources to help you prioritize emotional wellness and recognize the warning signs that indicate it’s time to seek help.  Four Things to Know about Emotional Wellness and Suicide Prevention « AfterTalk

Hospice care is more than you think. Many people still believe hospice care only happens in a building at the very end of life, but the truth is that most hospice care takes place in people’s homes, out in the community – and it’s often about living well, not just dying. Hospice Care Myths Busted « Charity Today

Steve Hartman and his children visit the Schoper family, with a look at how three young kids found a positive way to grieve after losing their beloved family pet. Kindness 101: A lesson in grief « YouTube

I am a spiritual being and know all things happen for my highest good, yet I would trade places with her in a heartbeat. Yes, I know all the right things, but they don't matter right now. I'm in agony and don't know how to stop this run-away train. Pet Loss: How to Stop This Run-Away Grief Train « Grief Healing

When a beloved pet dies, the loss doesn’t just leave silence in a room—it rearranges the emotional structure of a life. These companions are not just animals; they are routines, instincts, personalities with timing and mood.  Honoring A Pet's Memory in Meaningful Personal Ways  « AfterTalk

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