Losing someone you love can turn your world upside down in a way you never imagined. Death affects everyone in different ways, for differing lengths of time. There is no rule book, no time frame and, sadly, no magic wand that can be waved to make everything okay again. You have to take care of yourself as best you can. Here are 5 things you should do when you lose a loved one.
Give Yourself Time to Grieve
There is no quick fix and you may feel a huge range of emotions from sadness to anger and various others in between. You must give yourself time to grieve. Whether you want to be alone or you would prefer to have family and friends around you, do what you feel you need to do to cope. Losing a loved one can make you feel like it’s your life that has ended.
Take Care of Yourself
When you lose someone you love, that is all you can focus on, and it’s easy to stop taking care of yourself. You can go days without eating and not even notice. Try and establish some kind of new routine. Eating regularly, drinking lots of water, and getting lots of sleep will make things easier to cope with, particularly in the early stages.
Speak to Your Employers
Whilst many people prefer going straight back to their usual routines in a bid to gain some kind of normality, for many, that isn’t possible. Consider how much time you may need and then contact your employer to let them know. Don’t worry about who will cover your position or work that may be outstanding, it’s more important that you focus on you and your family.
Speak to a Lawyer
Once you feel up to it and have had a few days to come to terms with things, it’s a good idea to speak to a lawyer or ask someone else do so on your behalf. They will inquire as to whether your loved one had a Will and will advise you of any formalities that may need to be taken care of. This will also ensure that any last wishes they may have had are implemented.
If your loved one was involved in an accident that led to their passing, you may want to speak to a specialist firm like Lamber Goodnow who can guide you through the processes that may be necessary in the event of a legal case being pursued.
Know That it Will Get Better
Things will never be the same again, but life must go on and, over time, you will build a new life. Whilst things may be raw now, and you may think that you will never cope, time is a great healer. You will never forget the one you loved so dearly, but someday your tears will be replaced with smiles when you think of them and the wonderful times that you once shared.
