Your Rights As You Grieve

Click here to print or save this article

Although it can be important to reach out to others in your grief, it is equally important for you to be the judge of what type of support is helpful to you. Often, the responses and gestures from others are not helpful, even if well intended. You are the one who is grieving, and as such, you have certain "rights" that no one has the "right" to take away from you.  

1. You have the right to experience your unique grief. In spite of the many commonalities and the universal nature of loss and grief, no two losses are the same and no two grief experiences are the same. Accept and embrace the oneness of your experience while seeking comfort in understanding all that you share with others who have grieved and are grieving.


2. You have the right to talk about your loss and the grief. Talking and telling your story as much as you need to is important and helpful to most people. Trust your judgment in choosing people with whom— and situations in which— you feel safe sharing your grief. 


3.  You have the right to feel a range of emotions. Sadness, anger, fear, anxiety, guilt, confusion are only a few of the emotions you might experience as part of your grief journey. Learn all you can about the many emotions, as well as thoughts and behaviors, that are considered a normal in grieving. 


4.  You have the right to be tolerant of your limitations during the grieving period. Grief can be exhausting and disrupting to your level of functioning, both physically and mentally. Respect what your body and mind are telling you. It is especially important to take care of yourself. This includes allowing yourself to say "no" when others are pushing you to do things you don't feel like doing. 


5.  You have the right to experience “grief "attacks." At times, out of nowhere, a powerful surge of grief may overcome you. This can be disturbing and frightening, but is normal and natural. It is best to allow this to happen without judgment and to view these "attacks" as a temporary but necessary part of the process. 


6.  You have the right to make use of ritual. Rituals of your choosing which honor your loved one and your grief, whether they are public or private, elaborate or simple, can be important and healthy healing activities. Make them personal and meaningful.

Grief Support Services at Alive Hospice - 1900 Church St., Suite. 201 - Nashville, TN 37203 615-963-4732