Grief Reactions

Be patient. Grief reactions tend to soften over time, but everyone’s timeline is different. The intensity can also fluctuate over many months or years, especially around triggers such as holidays and anniversaries. Reactions may include: Anger, Shock & Denial, Numbness, Confusion, Sadness, Guilt, Relief, Hopelessness, Anxiety, Fear, PTSD.

Avoid making major life changes for the first 6 months if possible.

Normal Physical Symptoms associated with grief include: change in appetite, low energy level or fatigue, brain fog, irritability, mood swings, stomach upset, headaches, sleep disturbance.

Warning: Be careful when driving or performing other potentially dangerous tasks. Strive to find ways to manage your grief outbreaks (e.g., with Soft Belly Breathing or Expressive Meditation). Dedicating times to grieve can also help reduce their frequency and severity.

Support groups There are many grief support groups across the world, virtual and in-person: some for specific loss.

Grief Counselors / Therapists: There are sites to help find the right one for your needs like psychologytoday.com.

Books / Websites / Podcasts: Helpful in finding ways to cope and honor loved ones that work for you. Also great for reminders that you’re not alone, even when you’re not wanting or able to be with others.

Books

It’s OK That You’re Not OK (Megan Devine, refugeingrief.com): a book for grieving people, those who love them, and all those seeking to love themselves—and each other—better.
Bearing the Unbearable (Joanne Cacciatore): Love, Loss, and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief
Your Grief, Your Way (Shelby Forsythia, shelbyforsythia.com): Daily messages about grief with practical tips. “Bite-sized nuggets since grief reduces the ability to concentrate.”
How to go on Living when someone you love dies (Therese A. Rando, thereserando.com): chosen ‘all-time “Best book about dealing with grief after a death” by New York Magazine
I wasn’t ready to say goodbye: surviving, coping and healing after the sudden death of a loved one (Brook Noel and Pamela Blair): best-selling classic on sudden death.
The other side of sadness: what the new science of bereavement tells us about life after loss (George A. Bonanno) scientific analysis of cases revealing the resilience of the bereaved and normalizing the persistence of emotional ties.

Websites

Grief.com: serves Family, Friends and Professionals with Videos, Books, Workshops & Speaking Engagements
Centerforloss.com: Grief information pages from grief expert Dr. Alan Wolfelt
Compassionatefriends.org: support for families after a child dies and listing of local chapters
Whatsyourgrief.com: Library of resources, online courses, blog posts
Opentohope.com: articles, blogs, podcasts, TV show from Dr.Gloria Horsley and Dr. Heidi Horsley
Speakinggrief.org: television documentary and media-rich website designed to start a national conversation about grief
Fullcirclegc.org: comprehensive resource center for children, adults and families; blogs and list of podcasts
Aarp.org/home-family/caregiving/grief-and-loss/ Grief resources for seniors from AARP

Support Groups

GriefShare: grief recovery support group where you can find help and healing for the hurt of losing a loved one. (includes some aspects of religion, but is open to all)
Griefnet.org: online support groups for adults and children
Elunanetwork.org/national-bereavement-resource-guide/resources/ Listing of support groups by state, but may not include all resources in your state

…Many More Great Resources Exist…

Search for the right resources for you and reach out to others in support groups to see what was helpful for them.
Contact local hospice, funeral homes or faith communities for suggestions ● Check out GriefPacket.com for a more comprehensive list of resources.

Additional Resources

Grief Reactions

Books

Websites

Support Groups

…Many More Great Resources Exist…