Grieving the loss of a loved one is never easy, especially when you are responsible for handling the logistics and planning of the funeral as well. If you are struggling to make funeral arrangements for your loved one while you are still grieving, there are a few tips to keep in mind to help alleviate stress, worry, and feeling overwhelmed.
Take a Moment to Breathe
Dealing with the loss of a loved one can cause you to feel a wide range of emotions, especially if the passing was unexpected or particularly rough for you. It is important to take a moment to breathe, grieve, and process the actual passing of your loved one before you attempt to move on to planning the funeral. In some cases, individuals may find it easier for them to focus on other tasks and responsibilities rather than facing the loss and grief head-on, but this can result in a much more difficult time later down the road. Be willing to take the time for yourself. Seek help from counselors and/or therapists. Consult the employee of the funeral home, such as those at Damar Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium. Too often, other encourage us to rush through the grieving process, let yourself have the time and space you need.
Consider Your Loved One’s Preferences
While planning funeral arrangements, consider the type of flowers or the overall style your loved one enjoyed and preferred personally. This can help with picking floral arrangements or deciding on a look without feeling frazzled or overwhelmed when doing it on your own. Using your loved one’s favorite floral arrangements is also a way to help their memory live on among family members and friends. If your loved one did not outline what their preferences might be, consider adding more personal touches. A piece of art they loved, a poem they cherished, or possessions that you particularly associate with them might help you ground the funeral in your loved one’s memory.
Ask for Help
It may be daunting for some, but it is necessary to ask for help while grieving the loss of a loved one and planning their funeral simultaneously. Even if you consider yourself to be strong-willed and stoic, it is highly advisable to work alongside loved ones or friends while planning any type of funeral arrangement while you are still in the process of grieving. Friends and family members who assist you can ensure that all of the funeral arrangements are made properly while allowing you to take breaks, rest, and grieve as you work through the process of creating the funeral arrangements that are just right for your loved one.
While continuing on with life and planning a funeral may be the furthest thing from your mind shortly after losing someone, it is a way for you to make progress while also allowing others to remember your loved one. A funeral is a somber and tragic event, but it is also a celebration of life lived. By taking the time to allow yourself to grieve and work at your own pace, you will create beautiful and memorable keepsakes in memory of your loved one.
