Bereavement Support

The death of a loved one or other kinds of loss can be a bewildering and devastating experience and may bring about very strong emotions. People grieve in different ways. Some seem to cope well initially but find it more difficult later. Some have more difficulties at the beginning.

Be gentle with yourself whatever feelings and reactions you are experiencing. Grief is a very personal experience there is no right or wrong way to feel. We are all different and deal with things in different ways. It is important to allow yourself time to grieve in a way that feels right for you. It is normal to feel angry, or guilty or very alone. Life may feel as if it has no purpose.

Take things one day at a time!

DO:

·      Keep in touch with family & friends by phone, text, email, or letter.

·      Get rest, fresh air, sunlight, and exercise when possible.

·      Keep a regular routine.

·      Accept practical help from others.

·      Talk about your feelings and the loss you have experienced.

·      Do allow Jesus to comfort you.

If you need to access bereavement support, we have volunteers who are trained in consolation support from across the diocese, including our own Parish. As a first step please email Darren at fricker@blueyonder.co.uk who may be able to help you access the kind of support you may find helpful. 

Bereavement Support Group

Bereavement grief comes in all different aspects and we are never sure when or where it will strike. At that time we can always feel very alone and that we are the only ones going through this. This is not the case and with that in mind we are hoping to start a Bereavement support group where everyone can attend, have a cup of tea and chat or just listen. We are hoping to speak about finances, what happens if the person who passed away took care of all the finances? How does it feel when you were once in a couple then you’re not in a couple? Do your friends feel “embarrassed “ to speak to you?

This will be arranged by our Parish Ministry of Consolation (Darren and Jacqueline) and we hope to run it from December on a monthly basis. If you are interested in coming along (or know someone who might benefit) could you please contact either Darren and Jacqueline on fricker@blueyonder.co.uk.

Prayer of the Bereaved

We give them back to You

O Lord, who first gave

them to us; and as You did not

lose them in the giving, so we do

not lose them in the return.

Life is unending because love is

undying, and the boundaries

of this life are but a horizon, and

the horizon is but the limit of our

sight.

Lift us up, strong Son of God,

that we may see further.

Strengthen our faith that we may

see beyond the horizon.

Amen.