Researching, identifying and choosing an appropriate grief center after the loss of a loved one can be a confusing and overwhelming process. Whether someone is searching for a grief center for themselves or for a loved one, there are an abundance of considerations to take into account, including location, the type of loss and age appropriateness, among others. Searching through the abundance of resources and directories online without prior guidance or knowledge on grief and bereavement centers can be a difficult task.
Understanding Grief and Coping
Death is one of the most challenging and conflicting subjects that anyone can encounter. When we lose a family member, a friend or a colleague, we enter into a world of grief and mourning. It is common and natural to experience or struggle with grief after a loss and it is healthy to acknowledge these emotions to begin the process towards healing.
Sitting shiva provides structure and routine to the life of the mourner and allows the mourner time to come to terms with their loss. While sitting shiva is a great comfort during the first week of mourning, it is important to recognize that grief may continue beyond shiva and beyond sheloshim. It is common for the grieving process to not reach completion until a full year after the death of a loved one; however there is no right or wrong timeline for grieving.
Grief is a painful process and coping with grief is an important step in moving beyond bereavement. There are no right or wrong ways to grieve. Everyone experiences and handles grief in his or her own individual way, but it is important to know that there are healthy ways to acknowledge and cope with that grief. At times assistance from a professional or a peer group may be exactly what is needed to cope.
What are Grief Centers?
Grief and bereavement centers provide needed resources for those who struggle with their grief after the death of a loved one. Whether someone is finding it difficult to get beyond their grief or they simply would like to have assistance during their grief cycle, grief and bereavement centers may be helpful for individuals and families during this difficult time. An experienced therapist can help with intense emotions, to overcome any obstacles that people may be facing. Grief therapy does not have to be a long-term commitment; many will enter a once a week program for a few simple weeks, while others may attend for months. It is up to the mourning individual to decide what is best for them or their loved one.
Choosing a Grief Center
How someone grieves depends on many different factors and finding the right grief center can be a difficult process. Our team has developed a comprehensive guide to help mourning families with how to search and find the most comfortable fit for them and/or their loved ones. Many grief centers can be specific to certain types of grief, such as the loss of a spouse or a child. Some may find it comforting to attend a grief center support group, where individuals may discuss their grief and be supported by those who have experienced similar grief.
With these approved directories, families can search by location and also narrow their search to centers that meet their individual belief set and comfort level. Search through these hand selected Grief Center Directories to find a center that is best fitted for specific needs.
A Few Considerations
There are numerous factors to take into consideration when searching for and selecting the right grief center after the death of a loved one. Below are six of these key considerations.
1. Geographic Location. The first key step when selecting a grief center is deciding the most convenient geographic location of the center. This helps to narrow the search. In many cases, individuals will want to visit a grief center near home, but it is not unusual to select a grief center that is out of the state or region in which they live. A more distant or out of state location may be an appropriate option if the grieving individual would like to handle their bereavement outside of the environment where the grief took place. For example, there are numerous grief camps for children located throughout the United States and families may decide that sending a child to a safe and comforting environment specifically designed for grieving children is the right option.
2. Individual or Group Therapy. Many grief centers offer both individual counseling as well as peer group therapy. It is important to decide which option best fits the individual needs of the grieving. Some individuals benefit greatly from one-on-one counseling with a grief professional, while others may find more comfort in peer group therapy, where time will be spent with individuals who may have experienced the same type of loss.
3. Consider Age Appropriateness. When searching for a grief center for a child or teenager, it may be advisable to narrow the search to centers or camps that are specific to the respective age groups. In this instance, depending on the age of the child, it may be helpful to discuss the options with the child. It is healthy for children to feel some control during this difficult time. There can be a vast difference between how a young child is grieving and how a teenager grieves, so it is important to consider the age. Most grief camps have strict age groupings, which should also be kept in mind when selecting a grief center.
4. Type of Loss. Once a decision has been reached on whether or not to attend group or individualized therapy, the bereaved will then be challenged to find the right grieving program to fit their particular type of loss. Programs will be structured in a way to be case specific. For example, there are various programs that can be found that are for the loss of a spouse, or the loss of a sibling or of a parent.
5. Consider Faith. If religiously observant or inclined, it is recommended to take the faith into consideration when searching for a grief center. Depending on affiliation, contacting a local synagogue may be helpful; most will have available resources for mourners and some may even have grief and guidance programs.
6. Know the Level of Grief. It is not uncommon for grievers to avoid their painful emotions. Whether the bereaved sees themselves as the kind of person who needs or seeks therapy, it may still be beneficial, especially if their grief is severe and they are entering into a persistent depression. They should consider seeking help if they are feeling helpless and overwhelmed.