Why funerals are part of the healing process

When you lose a loved one, it can be a difficult and confusing time. You may feel like you’re in a fog, struggling to make sense of what has happened, but this is a normal reaction.

While it may seem like an added burden when you’re already feeling so overwhelmed, but funerals are an essential part of the healing process.

Funerals provide a chance for you to say goodbye to your loved one, share memories with others who are mourning, and to begin the process of accepting their death. Yet, from planning a funeral to having to go through the stages of grief, it remains a trying time.

That’s why here at Memorial Stationery, we’ve broken down the importance of planning and attending a funeral and how it will help with the healing process and making sense of what has happened.

 

The five stages of grief

Grief is seen as a natural response to loss. It’s a process that everyone experiences differently and at different times, but there are common stages that most go through after losing a loved one.

·         Denial

This is the first stage of grief, and it’s often a confusing time. You may find yourself in disbelief that your loved one has passed and you may even try to convince yourself that it’s not true or that they will come back.

·         Anger

As the reality of the situation starts to sink in, you may feel a surge of anger at times. You may be angry at yourself, at the person who died, or at the world in general. It’s important to express this anger in a healthy way, whether that means talking to a therapist, or family members or writing it in a journal.

·         Bargaining

In this stage, you may find yourself trying to make deals with God or the universe. You may promise to change your ways if only your loved one will come back. This is a normal part of the grieving process, but it’s important not to get caught up in it.

·         Depression

As you begin to accept that your loved one is really gone, you may start to feel depressed. You may feel hopeless and like there’s no point in going on without them. It’s important to reach out for help if you’re feeling this way. Talking to a therapist or joining a support group near you can be incredibly helpful.

·         Acceptance

In this final stage, you accept that your loved one is gone and begin to adjust to life without them. You may still feel sad from time to time, but you are able to move forward with your life.

The stages of grief are not always linear. You may find yourself moving back and forth between them or skipping some altogether. You may find in the weeks and months after the death of a loved one that others move through these stages quicker than you might, but that’s normal.

Experiencing any or all of these stages and emotions might be challenging but it’s all part of the healing process and a funeral is an important aspect of realising the finality of death and moving forward.

 

Funerals provide closure

One of the most important functions of a funeral is to provide closure. This can be helpful whether it was expected or sudden, but it can be especially beneficial if the death was unexpected or traumatic.

A funeral also gives you the chance to say goodbye to your loved one in a safe and supportive environment, often around others experiencing the same emotions. If you didn’t get a chance to say goodbye before they died, a funeral can provide some closure and allow you to begin the process of moving on.

 

Funerals can be cathartic

Funerals can also be cathartic. They allow you to express all the emotions you’re feeling, whether it’s sadness, anger, love, or anything else.

If you’ve been left to plan the funeral, then using the chance to choose the correct funeral stationery can also help with this. As one of the UK’s leading providers of funeral stationery, Memorial Stationery have an array of options available.

Picking a funeral order of service template for the funeral that properly honours the memory of your loved one can help express any emotions you may have held back too.

When it finally comes to attending their funeral, it can help you to begin working through your grief, express emotions and start to accept their death.

 

Share memories

Sharing memories and photos during a funeral can help express the necessary emotions with others and acknowledge the passing of a loved one.

Memory boards are a fantastic way to achieve this. Memory boards act as a way for guests going through the healing process to talk about their loved one with others and share fond memories through the use of photos.

Our memory boards are extremely easy to personalise and offer you a chance to choose photos that represent and honour the memory of your loved one. They also act as an assurance for those who have not arrived in a group that they’re at the right service.

 

Part of the healing process

Losing a loved one is never easy, but funerals can help you with the healing process.

You may not feel like you need to express your emotions publicly but attending a funeral can help in moving forward. Seeing how others are coping with their grief can also provide some comfort of feeling less alone and sharing your own memories of your loved one can be a cathartic experience too.

For many people, picking the right funeral stationery can be an important part of this process. At Memorial Stationery, we provide poignant and straightforward funeral templates for all order of services, memorial boards, and other funeral stationery options.

Our free and easy editing tool makes customisation simple and provides the opportunity to create beautiful, bespoke and personal tributes to your loved one. They also provide a tangible reminder of the life that was lived and the memories that were shared.

If you’re struggling after the loss of a loved one and would like some assistance in creating a touching piece of funeral stationery, please do not hesitate to contact us.