Grief

By Mayo Clinic Staff

When a loved one dies, grief can be very painful. It often triggers intense emotions. But people may express those emotions differently. Some wonder how they will ever pick up the pieces and heal. There might be concern that going back to living life as usual may somehow betray a loved one's memory. Sometimes, conflicting emotions about a difficult relationship with a loved one or the way a person died can make grief more complicated.

There are no quick fixes for grief following a loved one's death. As you face grief, allow yourself to feel the pain and the full range of emotions you may be having. Know that's part of the healing process. Take good care of yourself, and seek support from friends and loved ones. If, over time, grief remain strong and makes it hard for you to re-engage in daily life, tell a member of your health care team or seek support from a therapist who specializes in grief.

Although life may never be quite the same, for most people, the pain of grief becomes less intense over time. Finding ways to accept the loss can help as you process grief and move forward with life.

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Sept. 07, 2023

See also

  1. Living wills
  2. Suicide grief