No two people will grieve the loss of a loved one the same. Some people may go through the stages of grief quickly moving from one stage right to the next, while others may have a difficult time and get held up in one stage for a long amount of time. Some people may have a difficult time accepting the death while others may have accepted it but finding themselves unable to move past the anger stage. As providers of cremation services in Belvidere, IL., we want you to know we understand how challenging grief can be.

Although you may feel as if you can conquer this on your own, you may find it helps to surround yourself with people who are also grieving the loss of a loved one. People who understand the feelings of sadness, anger, confusion and loss you may be experiencing.

One place to do this is with a grief support group. These groups can take many different forms and be held in-person or digitally. Both in-person and online grief support groups can be an amazing resource to help you in this difficult time. However, since these formats differ, some people may prefer one over the other. Let’s take a closer look at each of these.

In-Person Support Groups

In-person support groups offer a great advantage of being able to create a closer connection with those in the group. This is just a natural thing that happens when you communicate and see people live rather than virtually. This connection can be a welcomed benefit to those who may feel isolated after their loved one’s passing.

However, because these groups meet in-person, they are held at set days and times. This can make them more difficult to attend if you have a busier schedule or lack motivation to make yourself go.

Online Support Groups

On the flip side, while online groups don’t allow that in-person connection, they can be easier to attend since there is no drive time to the location and you can log in wherever you are from a tablet or smartphone.

Where To Find Support Groups

Once you decide which option may be best for you, here are some places to contact:

• Churches (In-person)- Many churches offer a variety of in-person groups and counseling. If you are a current member of a church, reach out to them and ask if there is anything available. If you do not belong to any certain church, that is okay as you do not need to be a member to attend these groups. Simply look up churches in your area and see if they have any grief support groups you can attend.
• City Health Districts (In-person) Many cities offer in-person groups though the city health department. Simply call your local city health office and inquire about any groups or resources they may have.
• Facebook (Online) There are hundreds of support groups on Facebook. Many of them are specific to the type of loss that has occurred such as “Grieving the loss of a dad”, or “Grieving widows”. These groups are free and typically aren’t structured like a group session would be, which may or may not be something you like.
• GriefinCommon.com (Online)- This website is an online resource where you can have individual help as well as find group sessions. There is a slight cost with the group sessions running about $25. There are also many other sites like this one. Simply do a Google search and it will yield a long list of options.

After your loved one’s cremation services in Belvidere, IL., finding the right support you need to help with your grief is important. Coping with a death is not easy and reaching out for help when you need it is the best thing you can do. Check out our service options today. If you have any questions you can contact us now.