It can come as a shock, losing a loved one. You might feel as if you are in a fog and are just going through the motions as you try your best to plan cremation services and other things for that special person. When reality sets in and you are recognizing the fact that your loved one really is gone and they are not coming back, here are a few things you are going to need to do moving forward.
As you recognize that your loved one really is gone, you are going to want to start making decisions for them. Keep in mind that once the cremation is complete, you have no timeline on the other services you might want to put into place. You can decide on their resting place and memorial service at any time. Once you are ready to move forward with plans, you will have to think about what kind of memorial service you want for your loved one and where you want your final resting place to be.
It’s hard to accept a loved one’s death and you are not going to want to make any drastic decisions for yourself too quickly. Don’t look a week or a month into the future and try to make plans. Instead, move forward a little at a time. Think about what you want to accomplish for one day, like taking a walk, having a meal with a friend, and so on. Going forward a little at a time will help you to accomplish things and move forward, even if it’s hard to do so.
You will want to care for your loved one, and other family members you have that are also grieving, but you also need to treat yourself well at the same time. Eat healthy meals, get the rest you need, and be patient with yourself as you grieve. Understand that you are trying to do the best you can with the circumstances you are under and be kind to yourself and the others around you that are grieving.
Grief is unique in each person and you might move at a slower pace than other family members—and that’s okay. Let your grief run its course in any way that works for you and don’t feel like you are behind and should be getting through things faster.
Keeping your loved one’s memory alive and with you can help you to grieve and to move forward to find a new normal. Find ways that you enjoy remembering them, whether it’s using their hobbies as your own, starting new traditions, or looking at pictures, among other things.
It’s hard to get through losing a loved one, but having cremation services for them can help you to treat them well and move on in your own ways, too.