How to Grieve for the Loss of a Parent

It is a simple fact of life that more children outlive their parents. However, even if you are fully prepared for the death of your mother or father, it can still be an emotionally difficult time in your life. Grieving is very important to help the healing process.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• A grief counselor
• A memorial fund
• Friends and family
• Lawyer (optional)

1. Talk to other family members about the death. Other siblings can be especially helpful.
2. Talk to a grief counselor. They are professionally trained to help you through hard times in your life and will listen when no one else will.
3. Cry. It's OK to express your feelings this way as long as it is not disrupting normal activities.
4. Remember the good times you've had with your mother or father. They would want you to think of them laughing and smiling, rather than be sad about their death.
5. Help to plan the funeral or a memorial service. Doing so will give you something constructive to do to commemorate the life of your deceased parent.
6. Set up a memorial fund in your parent's honor to which friends can donate to charity in his or her honor.
7. On the anniversary of a parent's death, visit the tombstone or do something that your mother or father would have enjoyed in remembrance.

Tips & Warnings

• Wait a week or two before reading the will. This will allow some time to pass before you have to get down to business.
• If your feelings of sadness continue to be so intense that they disrupt your daily life, or if you have thoughts of suicide, talk to a professional.
• If the will is disputable or various family members disagree about portions of it, get a lawyer.