Robert Lewinski
August 4, 2025
No Comments
- 6709 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19135
- 49 N Sugan Rd, New Hope, PA 18938
- 215-624-4200
Grief Support
Grief is a deeply personal response to loss—emotional, physical, and spiritual—and it affects nearly everyone at some point. The emotional shock and sense of numbness that follows a death can feel overwhelming. This guide offers expert advice, facts, and practical strategies to help you and others find healing, resilience, and renewed purpose.
Grief isn’t just sadness; it can include anger, guilt, confusion, and even physical pain. It’s your mind and body’s natural response to loss. Grief differs for each person—no two experiences are alike.
Stages of grief include Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance—but remember, these aren’t linear or universal. Many people experience them in different orders or revisit stages multiple times .
About 10–15 % of people experience intense, long-lasting grief—now recognized clinically as Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD).
Symptoms include persistent longing, emotional numbness, and difficulty moving forward. If such symptoms last more than a year and significantly disrupt daily life, professional support may be crucial .
Allow yourself to cry, journal your thoughts, meditate, or speak with someone you trust. These emotional outlets reduce internalized stress and help regulate healing.
Consistency brings calm. Even small daily routines—like morning walks, planning meals, or setting bedtime rituals—can provide structure and purpose.
Close friends and family are valuable—but grief groups offer shared understanding. Studies show group connections reduce stress and anxiety in early grief.
Online platforms and communities (e.g., The Compassionate Friends) can be comforting, especially if in-person options are limited.
Activities like drawing, music, storytelling, or writing letters to your loved one help channel feelings and preserve meaningful bonds.
Eat balanced meals, get enough sleep, and stay hydrated.
Gentle exercise—walking, yoga, or stretching—supports both physical and emotional well-being.
Consider relaxation techniques like breathing exercises or gentle massage.
If grief persists over a year, disrupts daily life, or triggers suicidal thoughts, reach out to a grief counselor, therapist, or crisis hotline. PGD responds well to targeted therapy, benefiting up to 70 % of those treated . Medication may help in cases of clinical depression or severe anxiety.
GriefShare: https://www.griefshare.org/
The Compassionate Friends: https://www.compassionatefriends.org/
Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com/
There’s no set timeline—intensity typically decreases over months, but emotional waves can return unexpectedly.
Yes—numbness and shock are common early responses as your mind momentarily protects itself.
If grief persists beyond a year, disrupts daily life, or leads to suicidal thoughts, professional help is important.
Listen without judgment, offer to help with meals or errands, validate their feelings, and encourage support groups or therapy.
Absolutely. Not crying doesn’t mean you don’t care—it’s just how your grief expresses itself.
McCafferty Funeral & Cremation Inc. serves all neighborhoods in Philadelphia and its surrounding counties for funeral and cremation services.
We have 2 convenient locations in both Philadelphia and New Hope, PA.
* We also offer international shipping for those who have family in other parts of the world.