Grief in a ‘Grief Illiterate’ Society
Why it’s important to learn more about grief illiteracy…the lack of knowing and having familiarity with understanding grief and how to help others who are grieving.
Grief is not an illness or problem to be solved. Grief is a healthy, normal emotional response that arises out of loss or an unwanted change. Many people think they will recover from grief and loss. The reality is they will learn how not to just go through it, but how also to grow through it.
How are they to feel from the loss of their loved one, relationships, expectations, security, hopes and dreams for the future. Grief is confusing, exhausting, painful and even traumatic. Going through grief takes time, energy and understanding.
To those who are grieving they need their experiences and emotions to be seen, heard and witnessed. They need someone to sit with them in their sorrow.
On their journey the will begin to acknowledge and accept all the many emotions and experience that come with grief and loss.
Ways to overcome grief illiteracy in comforting those who are grieving:
* Do not ignore their loss. Instead reach out. Acknowledge their loss. Call them, ask to visit, bring a meal. Be present in the time spent with them.
* Do not say you know how they feel. Grief is both a universal and personal journey, so even though there may be similarities in the experience, each loss is unique.
* Do not try to fix them. Grieving individuals are not broken. Ask them how they are feeling. Listen, truly listen, to their answer. Listening is not passive. Listening is an action verb. Listening gives the grieving individual the permission to express what’s on their heart.
Being part of another’s grief journey is hard work. It requires us to sit with difficult emotions and uncertainty. It brings the fragility of our own life to present.
Those who are grieving need our presence, time and love. They need us to witness both their love for their loved one and their loss. They need us to witness both their love for their loved one and their loss. They need us to offer our true selves in listening without judgment or advice giving.
When it comes to grief, your gentle efforts cannot make someone feel sad. They are already heartbroken. You are acknowledging their loss, giving them the opportunity to express their feelings in a safe place and letting them know their loved one is not forgotten.
Grief literacy is the ability to understand loss and act upon that understanding. It is a multi-dimensional in that it includes knowledge to facilitate understanding and reflection, skills to enable action and values to inspire compassion and care.
About Lisa
I am a grief counselor, certified grief educator, certified professional life coach, speaker, and writer dedicated to helping you navigate through life and loss. My greatest joy is to help others, to have the honor to listen to your story, and to offer hope. I am truly grateful and it is my privilege to be on this journey with you.