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Grieving a death by suicide: what to expect

Oklahoma City Cremation • December 5, 2022

Losing a loved one is devastating but losing a loved one over suicide is much more devastating as you may have many unanswered questions. If you have lost a loved one through suicide, you may want to have a direct cremation in Mustang, OK.

A loved one’s suicide may be one of the hardest things to go through as you will go through many devastating emotions. You will need a lot of support to get through the healing and acceptance journey. When facing a loved one’s suicide, you will go through many overwhelming emotions; but you need not go through it alone.

A loved one’s suicide can trigger a lot of emotions, some of which include;

Shock- when you first hear of your loved one’s demise by suicide, your first reaction will probably be shock; you will be numb with disbelief.

Anger- You will get angry at yourself and others for missing the signs that your loved one needed help. You may also get angry at the deceased for leaving you.

Confusion- There will be many unanswered questions following a loved one’s suicide as you try to make sense of the situation and find reasons for the suicide.

Guilt- One of the most common emotions when dealing with a suicide death is guilt. You will ask yourself too many questions about why you did not see your loved one was troubled, how you could have helped them and how you could have prevented the suicide. The “what ifs” and “if only” will be there, but forgive them and forgive yourself; this is the first step to healing.

Despair- Sadness and helplessness may paralyze you. You may also feel an overwhelming sense of loneliness and rejection and may even consider suicide.

If you are the one who discovered the suicide, you may have more intense emotions and reactions in the weeks or months following the suicide. You may have nightmares, flashbacks, social withdrawal, and loss of interest in your usual activities.

How to cope with a loved one’s suicide

Grieving a loved one’s suicide can be emotionally and physically draining. Ensure that you take care of yourself as you grieve. Some of the healthy coping strategies you can use are;

Grieve in your way and don’t rush yourself – Everyone has their way of grieving. If you find it too painful to visit the places your loved ones loved, it is okay; give yourself time to heal. Feel all your feelings; whatever you are feeling is okay. Give time some time.

Get support – Losing a loved one through suicide can be overwhelming. Reach out to your friends and family for support, and surround yourself with people to help you through the grieving journey. Get someone to listen when you need to talk and offer a shoulder to lean on.

Be prepared for the painful reminders – when the holidays and important days come around; you may have painful reminders of your loved one. If you find the reminders too painful, you may give yourself some time by suspending the family traditions for a while.

Expect setbacks – grieving has no formula; some days, you will be okay, while others will experience sadness. Some days are better than others. Get support when you need it.

Join a support group – Many people may not quite understand what you are going through, except people who may have Direct Cremations Mustang OK 300x150 1920w gone through the same experience as you. If you want to share your story, you can join a support group of people who have lost loved ones through suicide.