Written by Memorial Mortuary & Cemeteries in-house Grief Counselor, Amanda Nelsen As a grief therapist, I have found that people who have, or are able to create, a support network for themselves after a death of a loved one seem to have better outcomes in their grief overall. It can be key to helping yourself through the dark days. Below are some ideas to help you start or grow your own network. 1. Grief is isolating and connection is healing. Often we isolate ourselves when we are experiencing a lot of pain from grief. Many people will find a natural support network among their friends and family. Allow yourself to open up to those closest to you, even if it feels uncomfortable and not natural at first. 2. Groups and professionals. In addition to connecting with those you know and love, it can also be helpful to connect with a support group of others who are also navigating their grief. Support groups can provide a sense of community and understanding that you may not have with those already in your life. In addition, a professional, like a therapist or social worker, may also provide a safe space for you to explore your emotions and navigate the challenges of grief. 3. Acknowledge and express your emotions. There are a LOT of emotions that come with grief. Anger, sadness, shame, guilt, joy, relief, irritation, numbness, and so much more. Allow yourself to express and process all those emotions – and when you are ready, share them with those around you. It’s hard for others to support you if they don’t know what you are going through. 4. Express your needs clearly. Communication is key when you are building your support network. Your loved ones can’t help you if they don’t know what you want from them. Of course, this can be complicated when we aren’t even sure what we need or want, but even letting others know that YOU don’t know can be helpful. 5. Have flexibility and patience - with yourself and others. As you’ve probably discovered, grieving is very individual and everyone grieves at their own pace. People in your network will all be grieving differently. Holding space for compassion and understanding for them (and yourself) will be essential. 6. Share memories and create new traditions together. You might want to ask your support system to help you create a scrapbook, or organize a memorial event, or find other rituals that hold meaning to you. Having shared experiences strengthens your connection with others who also might be grieving. 7. Find ways to GIVE support. Many times when we are grieving we find it hard to think about others, because we are so full of pain ourselves or are just focused on surviving the next day. But when we find some space to help others, we usually find some healing. It might not seem like much, but dropping off a meal or a sending a text can really uplift someone else. 8. Setting boundaries within your support system. While support and connection are vital to grief, setting healthy boundaries is also important. You might want to keep certain memorial rituals to yourself, or carve out alone time. You may need specific types of support (and not want others). And this all might change over time. Check in with yourself regularly to figure out what boundaries are healthy for you, and then communicate them clearly to those around you. 9. Acknowledge and celebrate resilience and growth. Grief is about loss, but it can also be about resilience and growth. Find ways to celebrate the small moments with your support network. Share stories of strength and survival. Make healing a collaborative process – we can find solace in the journey of remembering our loved ones. If you feel like you could use extra support with your grief, please reach out to Amanda Nelsen Amanda.Nelsen@MemorialUtah.com.

Life takes us on many adventures. None more mysterious than when we leave this world. There is sadness, for sure. And there is probably a feeling of not having accomplished enough. Some cultures believe we fly away on gossamer wings. Others that we never really leave but remain to protect or pester our loved ones. Some believe we simply become part of the earth. Many of us believe there is something waiting for us, along with a few duties and the ability to watch over those we left behind. These beliefs can sometimes intensify feelings of responsibility to our families before we go. There are the logistics that nag us: how is the funeral paid for? Who will speak? Who can I politely ask not to speak? Where will I be laid to rest? And do we really need to have bagpipes? Once these are taken care of, we can focus on the relationships we value the most. Time is the one commodity we can never seem to get enough of. Being prepared frees up our minds and hearts to make use of the time we have. There is only so much time. And whether we fly away on wings when we die or get to sit unnoticed at a grandchild’s recital, knowing your loved ones don’t have to stress out over your funeral or find a way to pay for it is the best gift you can give them, and yourself. If you’ve already pre-planned your funeral and cemetery needs, then you know exactly this feeling of peace of mind. If you haven’t pre-planned yet, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at. We are here to help guide you and ensure that all of your needs are taken care.

Written by Memorial Mortuary & Cemeteries in-house Grief Counselor, Amanda Nelsen Technology and Grief Grief often changes our whole world – and the digital age has brought about a whole new dimension of grief. Mourning used to be more intimate – something that was done with a small group of family or friends and typically in person. Now our grief experience can play out on the public stage of social media, online communities, and virtual memorials. Below we will highlight a few of the unique challenges and unexpected opportunities that come with navigating grief in our tech-connected world. The Social Media Dilemma In the digital era, it's become customary to share our lives online, but when it comes to grief, the lines blur. Condolences come in the form of likes and comments, leaving us to grapple with the question: Is a virtual hug as comforting as a real one? The struggle to balance the genuine support from our online circles with the sometimes superficial nature of digital interactions is real. We can be surrounded by digital support, but still feel quite alone in our grief day-to-day. Online Communities One beneficial aspect of grieving in the digital age is the emergence of online communities that offer comfort and understanding. Whether it's a forum, a Facebook group, or a subreddit, these virtual spaces have become very popular over the past couple decades. The ability to connect with others who have walked a similar path can be a lifeline in times of isolation. They can be especially helpful when you feel you have a unique grief/situation and are having a hard time finding people around you who have been through a similar situation. The Echo Chamber of Grief While online support can be a balm for the grieving soul, the digital echo chamber can also amplify the pain. Constant reminders of loss, triggered by algorithms and shared memories, can sometimes hinder the healing process. Striking a balance between staying connected and avoiding being overloaded can be difficult. Pressure to Post These days, when we are so connected, grieving in the public eye can sometimes feel like a performance. We might feel pressure to share our grief when we aren’t ready, or to put a positive spin on our grief when we aren’t feeling that way. We also may not want to share anything about our grief at all, which can also leave others feeling like we aren’t “properly” grieving. It can sometimes feel difficult to balance vulnerability and privacy. Embracing the Pros and Cons of Digital Grief In our hyperconnected world, grief weaves itself into many digital aspects of our lives. The challenges are real, but so are the opportunities for connection and understanding. As we navigate loss in the digital age, let's remember that grief is as unique as the internet – messy, unpredictable, and ultimately, a deeply human experience. So here's to finding comfort in the virtual hugs, solace in shared stories, and navigating grief in a world that's more connected than ever. If you feel like you could use extra support with your grief, please reach out to Amanda Nelsen Amanda.Nelsen@MemorialUtah.com.

  Written by Memorial Mortuary & Cemeteries in-house Grief Counselor, Amanda Nelsen How can I get closure? This is a question I hear on a pretty regular basis. And I completely understand what is behind it – we want to be able to put the painful feelings of grief behind us. We want to be … Continued The post Grief Integration appeared first on Memorial Mortuaries.

Written by Memorial Mortuary & Cemeteries in-house Grief Counselor, Amanda Nelsen The topic of regret has been on my mind recently. I often hear clients talk about the regrets they had after a loved one died – some become quite reflective on things they could have done differently or “better” while their loved one was … Continued The post Regret appeared first on Memorial Mortuaries.

    As a grief therapist, I have seen a lot of people grieving loved ones who died from Covid-19 over the past couple of years. A recent study has shown that people who have experienced the death of a loved one due to Covid-19, have increased mental health issues than a pre-pandemic death (Breen, … Continued The post Navigating Grief During and After the Covid-19 Pandemic appeared first on Memorial Mortuaries.

  Recently, an article came out highlighting the incredible relationship between a mother Orca and her baby calf, who passed away shortly after being born. The mother, Tahlequah, used her snout to keep her deceased calf afloat for 17 days and covered over 1,000 miles of ocean in the process, an unprecedented display of mourning … Continued The post Why is a funeral so important? appeared first on Memorial Mortuaries.

Many of us have seen a loved one struggle with a terminal diagnosis. It isn’t something we like to talk about, but many of us will also get our OWN terminal diagnosis.  Having a terminal diagnosis brings its own type of grief and decisions to be made. How do you grieve your own death before … Continued The post Coping With A Terminal Illness appeared first on Memorial Mortuaries.

Written by Memorial Mortuary & Cemeteries in-house grief counselor, Amanda Nelsen: I am often asked for resources for young children who have lost someone close to them. Stories are often a good way to open up dialogue with children and illustrate death in a more concrete fashion. I compiled some of my favorites for easy … Continued The post Grief Resources for Children appeared first on Memorial Mortuaries.