Confronting the death and loss of a loved one is never an easy thing to do. As much as it is a universal human experience, the impact death can have of us can strike deep. Such natural responses to the experience of loss becomes what we call grief.

Grief makes one feel intensely hurt and in pain. No one can truly get over grief; we can only learn how to process and get through it. Each and every one of us manages and experiences grief differently. At some points in our lives, we would have met with loss. Some losses may often hit us harder than we expected, and some losses may be more difficult to get through. The period of grief could go on for a prolonged span of time.

The standard model of grief as conceived by psychologists is that grief is experienced across five stages. However, it is noted that some people might only experience some stages. Some people might also revisit certain stages of grief at a later time in their life. The various theories and models that have been researched on grief ultimately agree that the symptoms of grief are common. It is also very valid and normal to grieve.

However, many people in Singapore might not know that they should seek professional help if grief starts to overwhelm them in their everyday lives. Resources such as therapy and grief counselling are therefore crucial to assist the family members and loved ones related to the recently deceased in moving forward with life.

So, you might be reading this and wondering what is grief counselling? What does the word ‘aftercare’ entail? And, how can it help you if you were to sink into a bad time of grief?

First of all, grief counselling aims to help the individual find a healthy outlet to release their grief. It is essential that we understand why we are feeling these emotions and how we can cope and adapt to the intensity of what we feel. Moreover, catharsis can be a fruitful way to process our emotions and leave us feeling less exhausted and psychologically drained.

Secondly, the effect of grief might extend negatively and seep into other aspects of one’s life. If the person already has existing problems in their mental health, their state of mind might be exacerbated by the pain from losing someone. Depression and anxiety is commonly associated with grief. Not knowing how to deal with them can inhibit one from living a functional lifestyle.

In addition, aftercare is very crucial for those who were hit hardest by the loss. This includes children and those closest to the deceased. It is useful to know how you can support not just yourself, but also other relatives and members of the family who are deep in mourning. For instance, children who might have lost a parent or family member need a strong support system.

Beyond handling funeral services in Singapore and the relevant logistics, we also provides bereavement support for families.