I’ll Celebrate Instead of Cry

July is Bereaved Parents Awareness Month

The Annual Bereaved Parents Awareness Month is in July, to promote support for bereaved parents. Often people do not know what to say or do for grieving parents. We encourage people to turn back and begin to reach out to bereaved parents and their families by listening to them without advising them; by giving them a shoulder to cry on; and/or by giving them a hug when appropriate and needed.
After the death of loved one, especially a child, many people need continued support from other family members. The American Hospice Foundation encourages families and friends to remember a few key ideas when helping a loved one who is grieving.
Be patient and understanding. Grief will diminish with time, but there is no ‘right’ length of time to grieve. Continue being supportive long after the rest of the world has stopped sending cards.
Expect the unexpected. Some people experience delayed grief, especially if the loved one was ill for a long time or there were many details to arrange after the death. Grief usually surfaces at some point, and he or she may still need help even if it’s weeks or months later.
Don’t neglect physical needs. Grief puts stress on the immune system, leaving the body more susceptible to illnesses. Suggest an appointment with a primary care physician who knows that he or she is grieving.
“People who are grieving often feel alone in their grief,” said David Weiss, Passages Hospice chaplain. “To receive the support of others helps them realize that they don’t have to carry the whole burden themselves. There are others who are truly interested and willing to listen. It’s okay to have that feeling of loss, and to recognize and accept it. In essence, it’s a reflection of the love we have for that person and their memory.”
For more online resources, please visit:
The Bereaved Parents of the USA
The Dougy Center
The Open to Hope Foundation