No parent should ever have to outlive their child - no matter how old they are. Unfortunately, however, sometimes this is the case. Whilst losing any loved one is challenging, losing a child presents a unique set of challenges.
Coping with such an intense feeling of grief, as often associated with losing a child, can leave you feeling lost, empty and hopeless. However, with time and support, the grieving process will become more manageable.
Whether you have lost a child, or someone you know has, read some of our tips on how you can navigate this unique form of grief.
Find a Support System
Losing a child can leave you feeling and acting withdrawn and isolated. It’s natural to keep to yourself during this time to try and cope with the onslaught of feelings and emotions you’re experiencing, but make sure you don’t seclude yourself completely.
Whilst it’s important to let yourself feel your grief and emotions, it’s equally important to find a reliable support system. This could be:
● Friends
● Family
● A grief support group
● A therapist
Whoever your support system is, you should feel comfortable leaning on and talking to them.
Honour Their Memory
Though you’ll never forget your child, it can still help to honour their memory through a physical memorial or keepsake.
Memorial plaques offer a lasting way to commemorate your child and the life they lived, even if short. This also offers others the chance to visit the memorial to pay their respects and spend a moment of reflection for your child.
Alternatively, you could keep an urn or keepsake in your home. These act as a creative celebration of your child’s life - a physical reminder that your love for them will always burn bright.
Give Back to Others
Finding a way to give back to others can be a cathartic way of coping with your grief. For example, you could support a charity in honour of your child, work with an organisation to raise awareness of an issue that affected your child or even volunteer at a place that was important to your child.
Giving back to others in this way can give you a sense of purpose that you otherwise feel as though you’ve lost, all whilst allowing you to feel as though you would be making your child proud.
Making Funeral Arrangements for Your Child
Although the prospect of arranging a funeral for your child can be daunting and something you don’t wish to admit is necessary, such arrangements will still need to be made. Organising a thoughtful and dedicated funeral service offers you the opportunity to say goodbye and seek the sense of closure you need before being able to process your grief properly.
We’re here to help you at Callum Robertson Funeral Directors - your trusted funeral director in Kirkcaldy. Get in touch with us today to discuss how we can help you navigate this difficult time and arrange a dedicated send off for your child.
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