WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES DECEMBER 23, 2021 45
COPING WITH DEATH
Prescription for grief relief
The Greek dramatist Euripides
wrote these words 400 years
before the birth of Christ. Grief
is the price of love.
When we love someone and they die,
we feel the pain of grief.
However, there are steps we can
take that may ease the stress and
hasten our recovery.
Here are some tips that can help the
bereaved on their journey through
grief:
• Go back to work. If you had a job,
return as soon as possible. Work is a
healthy distraction from the pain of
loss. If you were not in the workplace,
fi nd a job.
• Stay fi t. Exercise can help you both
physically and emotionally because
activity provides an outlet for stress.
• Enroll in a class. Not only does
taking a class provide you with a
healthy diversion from grief but it
also can supply practical knowledge
for improving the quality of your life.
• Be good to yourself. Do not hesitate
to treat yourself to something you
truly enjoy.
• Take some time to write down
a list of things that bring you pleasure
such as displaying a vase of
fresh flowers, gardening, leisurely
reading a newspaper, etc. Then, try
to engage in at least one of these
activities daily.
• Volunteer your time. Another
eff ective way to get out of the house
and provide some grief relief is
through volunteering. Local community
groups or museums and
historic sites always welcome people
who can spare some time to support
their activities.
• Talk about your grief with a
friend. Expressing and exploring
your feelings with a trusted friend is
one of the best things you can do for
yourself. Talking helps relieve the
pressure, brings you perspective, and
keeps you in touch with others. Cry
when you feel like it.
• Read practical articles and books
about grief. Reading about bereavement
is an excellent way to fi nd your
way through this diffi cult, uncharted
experience.
Most survivors will fi nd solace in
these suggestions. But if you feel that
your grief is overwhelming your
life, ask your family funeral director
for the name of a local bereavement
counselor who can guide you through
resolving your feelings of sadness and
loss.Material in this column was excerpted
(with permission) from an article
authored by Victor M. Parachin, a
National Funeral Directors Association
grief educator and minister.
Courtesy of NYS Funeral Directors
Association
Lasting impressions
are our first priority.
A funeral service represents a family’s
final farewell to their loved one. Knowing this,
we go beyond what is expected to ensure
the ceremony is beautiful and memorable...
a truly fitting tribute to that special life.
We invite you to visit us to meet our staff
and tour our facility. We think you’ll be
pleased to find that making lasting impressions
is our first priority.
MORTON FUNERAL HOME /
RIDGEWOOD CHAPELS
Continuing a proud tradition of dignified, personal service.
��������������������������������������������������������������������������������
��������������������������������������������������������������������������������
/WWW.QNS.COM
