Managing Stress and Coping with Loss Chapter 4

Managing Stress and Coping with Loss Chapter 4: Sec 3 Coping with Loss Pp. 89 -92

Objectives l Describe the effects of loss. l Name the stages of the grieving process. l Describe how funerals, wakes, and memorial services help people cope with the loss of a loved one. l Propose ways a person can cope with the loss of a loved one.

List all things that came to mind as you listened to the song …

Do Now Bell ringer Activity l List as many different types of loss as you can think of: l Give examples of the effects of loss:

Critical Thinking l What is your interpretation of the statement listed below? ¡Healthy children will not fear life, if their parents have integrity enough not to fear death. -Erikson l Why are we so afraid of death, and what causes us to die?

Attitudes Toward Death and Dying: Cultural and Age Variations l Cultures around the world interpret and respond to death in widely different ways. l Permanence ¡ Once a living thing dies, it cannot be brought back to life l Universality ¡ All living things eventually die l Nonfunctionality ¡ All living functions, including thought, movement, and vital signs end at death.

Grief: Lessons in Survival l What do I do now that you’re gone? Well, when there’s nothing else going on, which is quite often, I sit in a corner and I cry until I am too numbed to feel. Paralyzed motionless for awhile, nothing moving inside or out. Then I think how much I miss you. Then I feel fear, pain, loneliness, desolation. Then I cry until I am too numbed to feel. Interesting pastime. -Peter Mc. Williams, How to Survive the Loss of a Love

The Grieving Process l Grieve is to express sadness of a loss. l The Five Stages of the Grieving Process ¡ Denial: “This can’t be happening to me!” l Refuse to believe a loss has occurred ¡ Anger: “Why me? It’s not fair. ” l Rage or blame self and/or others for the loss ¡ Bargaining: “I ‘d do anything to have him back. ” l Make promises to change if the person they lost is returned to them/to avoid what is the truth ¡ Depression: “There is no hope. I’m so sad. I just want to be alone. ” l Feeling sadness when you experience loss ¡ Acceptance: “It’s going to be OK. ” l Begin to learn how to live with a loss

Types of Ceremonies l Wake ¡ A ceremony to view or watch over the deceased person before the funeral. l Funeral ¡ A ceremony in which a deceased person is buried or cremated. l Memorial Service ¡ A ceremony to remember the deceased person.

Help for Dealing with a Loss l Get plenty of rest and relaxation, but try to stick to any routines you kept before the loss. l Share memories and thoughts about the deceased. l Express your feelings by crying or by writing in a journal l If the loss was unintentional, do not blame yourself or others.

Helping Others l Show your support through simple actions, such as offering to run errands or cook a meal. l Let the person know that you are there for him or her, and allow the person to talk about his or her thoughts and feelings. l Tell the person that you have faith that he or she is strong and will learn to live with this loss. l If the person seems depressed, avoids family and friends, or doesn’t seem to be making any progress, tell a trusted adult.

Closure l List the five stages of grieving. l What is the difference between a funeral and a memorial services? l Explain how a wake, funeral, or memorial service can help with the grieving process.