When someone passes on, and you cannot seem to process the heavy emotions associated with this incident, you may need to undergo some grief counselling. This means and other healthy social coping mechanisms are essential to ensuring you are alert at all times, especially during these times of uncertainty during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Fortunately, there are techniques you can employ for your guidance. Consider the following tips:

1. Look into online counselling

Going through counselling sessions with a trained professional is the best way to manage grief better, especially when it is recent. However, you may have already heard about social distancing guidelines, meaning you may not have the chance to go through face-to-face sessions. Luckily, you can easily transition into technological means, such as through video conferencing and chat. You just need to find a spot that is comfortable and feasible for handling serious conversations for your virtual sessions.

The first thing you need to do is look for a quiet room in the house, preferably a place suitable for counselling. It should be free of distractions, like audible talking from other members of the household and dog barking. You can also use noise-cancelling headphones to ensure proper sound quality.

If a one-on-one setup is not something you would want, you can also go through group video counselling sessions with others who need to process their grief, especially if you feel more able to talk around trusted friends and family.

2. Be conscious about the words you use

You must be careful with any words surrounding the term “death.” You can opt for “pass away,” but it would be best to forego any similar terms altogether if it’s too triggering. You may also want to avoid saying the name of the bereaved too frequently since there can be some associated trauma.

Instead, let the conversation flow naturally until there’s some openness on those grieving to describe the moment of loss. Try to go for statements based on what the senses observed, such as “I heard” and “I saw.” This way, you can take time to navigate through the memory together. It also allows you and those grieving to identify heavy emotions associated with these memories, primarily sadness and anger.

3. Process the funeral arrangements

No matter what religious background the bereaved and those grieving may have, the funeral plan is the main key for everyone to move on properly. That’s why it may often take some time for some families and friends to go about the arrangements because of its emotional weight and pressure to live up to the deceased final wishes. Fortunately, you can use this as a practical means to go through deep loss properly.

For instance, you can take the time to talk about the venue and funeral decorations chosen for the bereaved. This way, those affected can take this as an indication to move on. Even if they still feel very attached after the funeral, you can take further debriefing interventions together for proper closure.

Conclusion

Navigating through grief and loss is essential if you and other affected individuals know how to unpack these “felt experiences.” Although COVID-19 guidelines can make this more challenging, there are ways around this. Just consider the following tips and other methods when necessary. Meanwhile, if you need the proper assistance of experienced counsellors, feel free to reach out to our team.

Are you looking for professional grief counselling in the Waterloo Region? Consult with us at Chettiar Counselling & Associates. We can provide sessions for clients in Guelph, Kitchener, or Cambridge area, and we can also offer you online counselling and no-cost phone consultations. Connect with us today to ensure you can find the right means to move on and get the appropriate support you need.