Grief & Bereavement Support | Help Coping with Loss in West Yorkshire
Grief & Bereavement Support | Help Coping with Loss in West Yorkshire
Call us any time Day or Night
Call 07712 208058 | Available 24/7
Grief is a natural, non-linear response to loss that affects us emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. There is no set timeline for healing, and common reactions can include sadness, anger, guilt, physical symptoms (fatigue, headaches), and mental effects (difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness). The process often involves phases such as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, but you may move back and forth between these stages.
Do not suppress feelings. Grief must be expressed through crying, talking, writing, or art. Permit yourself to feel any emotions that arise—they are valid responses to profound loss.
Grief is physically taxing. It is essential to:
✓ Maintain regular sleep patterns.
✓ Eat nutritious meals and stay hydrated.
✓ Engage in gentle physical activity (like walking).
✓ Avoid excessive alcohol or relying on sleeping tablets.
You do not have to cope alone. Support is available through:
✓ Family and Friends: Lean on trusted loved ones.
✓ Bereavement Counselling: Professional, confidential support to process complex emotions.
✓ Support Groups: Connect with others who understand your experience.
✓ Faith Communities: Clergy and congregation support can provide comfort.
Grief takes time. Avoid self-judgment, lower your expectations for daily capacity (work, tasks), and accept that setbacks (like anniversaries) are normal.
Keeping the deceased's story and memory alive is a healing aspect of coping with grief.
✓ Talk about them and share memories with others.
✓ Recount anecdotes, lessons, and characteristics that made them special.
Ways to honour their memory include:
✓ Memorial Jewellery: Keepsake pieces incorporating ashes or inscriptions (e.g., EverWith).
✓ Personalised Urns or scatter tubes.
✓ Memorial Art, memory books, memorial benches, or trees.
✓ Charitable Donations to causes they valued.
Incorporate their values into your own life, pursue their passions, and share their story with future generations.
The funeral service is an important first step, providing an opportunity to:
✓ Acknowledge the reality of the death.
✓ Receive community support.
✓ Share stories and celebrate the life lived.
✓ Find structure and meaning through ritual.
While grief is natural, professional support is beneficial if:
✓ Symptoms intensify rather than gradually easing over time.
✓ You are unable to carry out daily activities for weeks or months.
✓ You are using alcohol or drugs to cope.
✓ You are experiencing thoughts of self-harm.
We provide information on ongoing bereavement support resources:
✓ Helplines: Samaritans, Cruse Bereavement Support Helpline.
✓ Online Support: Cruse, Sue Ryder, The Good Grief Trust.
✓ Reading: Recommended books on grief and loss (e.g., The Year of Magical Thinking).
We offer personalised, compassionate service and support throughout the entire grief journey.
24-Hour Support Line: 07712 208058
Crabtree Family Funeral Services provides guidance on Coping with Grief and Dealing with Loss, emphasizing that grief is non-linear and affects individuals physically and emotionally. The advice encourages allowing feelings, self-care (physical health, rest), seeking support (family, counselling), and honouring memory through sharing stories and creating tributes (jewellery, personalised urns). We offer 24/7 support and resources for professional help in the Leeds and Bradford areas.