Information on Grieving After the Death of a Spouse

Mourning is natural.

Grief is a normal response to the loss of a spouse and is different for each person. Some people recover from mourning sooner than others.

Impact

Mourning creates emotions such as shock, numbness, sorrow, fear and anger that a loved one is no longer there. You may experience trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating and have little appetite. Your emotions may swing widely and rapidly, and you may cry easily.

Challenges

Individuals mourn differently.

Men and women are forced to take on responsibilities formerly handled by their spouse. Facing the future can be frightening for women who have never lived alone or taken care of personal expenses. Men must take on self care and household responsibilities.

Coping Strategies

Take care of yourself and avoid substances that are detrimental to your health. Put off making big decisions until you feel better. Seek the support of caring friends and a grief support group at a hospital, religious group or local agency. Help your mourning children cope.

Seeking Medical Help

You will start to feel better eventually and have more good days than bad. If your grief goes on too long, it could be a sign of depression and anxiety that needs to be treated by a doctor.

References

• National Institute On Aging: "Mourning the Death of a Spouse"
• Center for Loss and Life Transition, griefwords.com:"Helping Yourself Heal When Your Spouse Dies"

Resources

• Mayo Clinic: "Suicide Grief: Healing After a Loved One's Suicide"
• Healthy Holistic Living: "Words To Comfort Someone Grieving"