The loss of a loved one can be an extremely devastating experience. The pain that comes with it is so intense you feel you’ll be drowned by sorrow. Regardless, death is inevitable among all men. It comes to men of all races, age, class, ethnic group, profession, etc. what do you do when your you lose that significant person in your life: be it your spouse, sibling, parent, Aunty or grandparent, a close friend or a colleague. How do you cope with such losses?
Religion plays a crucial role in coping with the loss of a loved one. Most religions believe in life hereafter. It follows therefore that knowing you will meet the person you lost sometime in the future will be some great source of comfort and keep your mind at peace. It is therefore absolutely imperative to invoke one’s religious beliefs when death occurs. In Ghana, it is a commonplace to see one’s religious leader break the news of death to him or her. By using one’s religious beliefs, you may help the Grieving person to understand that the deceased’s demise is necessary and inevitable. For instance, you may tell a Christian that you can only go to Heaven when your mortal body dies on earth here. In this instance, he or she may be consoled, not because the think their loss is a fortune but they feel that their loved one is probably in a happy place. Who would not want to see the person they love happy?. Religion remains truly helpful in coping with death.
Also, if you ever receive the death of a loved one, you almost immediately go numb and feel like you need a hug or someone to hold you in place. In most cases, being around someone helps you a lot. It lends credence to the assertion that finding the right support system is very essential when death occurs.
The presence of family and compassionate friends may help reduce the emptiness that you feel by the death. You will shed of some pain as conversations and occasional laughs come up. You embrace the news but you continue with life’s other matters.
However, for some people, they can be so devastated especially when the death is sudden and unexpected so that they are plunged into depression and other mental health related issues. In those cases, seeking professional help is the way to go. When the death of someone cripples someone so that “life ceases” for them, it becomes very unhealthy. Imagine that they cannot eat, refuse to bath or lock up themselves in a room for days. They may even fall sick and eventually die after the loved one. Seek help from counselors, psychiatrists, nursing homes, funeral homes and medical personnels. They can prescribe treatment methods that helps you to deal effectively with the stress and physical effects that may be associated with death.
Mourning takes time. But like they say, time heals the deepest wounds. It is normal to have rollercoasters in emotions when coping with the death of a loved one. Know that you will feel better with time.
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