According to an article in the European Journal of Psychotraumatology, around one-third of adults over the age of 40 experience severe grief after the loss of someone special in their life. This kind of grief can lead to physical and mental detriments that have lasting effects if left to fester without action.
Grief rituals are a personal and meaningful way to help ease a person’s suffering. They can give you a sense of closure while still maintaining a tender connection to your loved one.
To assist our Greer, SC, residents during times of emotional difficulty, we’ve put together a list of rituals that can help with the process of going through grief. Continue reading to find a way to start the healing process and how to put a grief ritual into action.
Write a Loving Letter
Whether you’ve lost your loved one after a drawn-out battle or in a sudden tragedy, there are always words we wish we could’ve said to them. Regret is a common symptom of severe grief, and it can make moving forward more difficult for those left behind.
Letters present a simple way to get those words into the world.
Writing a letter can often begin the process of emotional healing for seniors. You’ll have the chance to reflect on your thoughts and feelings. You’ll get to say what you would’ve wanted to say if you’d had the chance.
Handwriting a letter may take more time, but it also personalizes the activity. Spend as much time writing a letter as long as you need. Many seniors opt to do this kind of ritual multiple times throughout the grieving process.
Grow a New Plant
End-of-life reflection doesn’t mean focusing only on the loss of something special. Sometimes the best way to honor someone is to cultivate a new life in their memory.
Planting a tree, for example, is a common choice. Since trees represent strength and are long-lasting, this ritual is a beautiful way to celebrate a person’s passing. Every time you see the plant thriving, you’ll think of your loved one.
Meaningful plants to consider growing include:
- Lily: symbolizes rebirth and renewal
- Carnation: symbolizes an expression of love
- Gladiolus: symbolizes strength and encouragement
- Forget-me-not: symbolizes fond memories
- Succulent: symbolizes tenacity and selflessness
- Philodendron: symbolizes growth and positive energy
- Willow: symbolizes protection and adaptability
- Bonsai: symbolizes beauty, dedication, and patience
Cook Their Favorite Meal
The act of cooking a meal is always an act of love. It can also help with honoring loved ones by cooking their favorite meal to help the entire family shoulder their grief.
You’ll bring everyone together to reminisce and enjoy something that once brought your loved one joy.
Even a simple meal can bring meaning during a difficult time in your life. Create an extra sense of ritual by setting the table with the best cutlery and plates. Light candles or play soft music that your loved one would have liked.
These small details can enhance the meal and make it feel even more special for everyone involved.
Design a Dedicated Scrapbook
Did your loved one adore joining many senior activities and events? Are there a lot of memories you’d love to put in a place of honor?
A scrapbook dedicated to a lost loved one can make a big difference in the grieving process. It’s a beautiful way to reminisce and begin coping with grief.
Whether you choose to do this alone or with others affected by the loss, the many memories represented in the scrapbook can bring much comfort to you in the long run.
Whenever you miss them, you’ll have an impactful book to look through as you process your emotions. It can also be a unique way to share your loved one’s memory with younger members of the family.
Create Art
Sometimes emotions well up so tightly within us that it feels as though there is no letting them out. We feel we might burst without some kind of emotional outlet.
This is where art can come to the rescue. Try delving into art projects such as the following:
- Create a music piece in your loved one’s favorite genre
- Paint their portrait to hang on your wall
- Paint abstract colors and shapes that express your current emotions
- Draw a shared memory
- Create a blanket made from scraps of old clothing
- Put together a collage of keepsakes, photos, and other souvenirs
Throw out any ideas about perfectionism or beauty. Instead, create something with personal meaning and expression so you can let loose and reminisce without worries holding you back.
Carry a Memento
A simple ritual many veterans and seniors engage in is the act of carrying a memento from their loved one. They bring it with them everywhere they go.
It can improve senior emotional wellness to know that you’re never without a piece of that person.
Tips for Developing a Personal Grief Ritual
If our list of grief rituals feels like the wrong choice, take the time to think of an activity that would be comforting to you. It doesn’t have to exist on any list in the world as long as it has meaning to you.
To help make the ritual feel more sacred, try these tips:
- Decide if you want to be alone or bring others into the ritual
- Pick something that had significance to both you and your loved one
- Focus on the idea of closure for the end of the ritual
Remember to evaluate your emotional and mental well-being throughout the grieving process. Sometimes getting professional help is the best course of action.
Plan Grief Rituals in Greer With Terrabella Thornblade
No matter the grief rituals you choose to perform, remember that it’s okay to seek support during these difficult times. Friends, family, and community can give you the reassurance you need to get through this.
Terrabella Thornblade wants to help. Our Greer senior community is close-knit and welcoming, so you never feel alone. We can assist you when you need it most, but also give you space when necessary.
You don’t need to go through your grief alone. Contact us today, and we can come up with a plan together.
