Valentines Day Without the Love of Your Life Tips For Managing Grief

February 7, 2005 -- Valentine's Day - a joyous time for celebrating and sharing intimate moments with a special loved one - can be an especially difficult time for people experiencing the grief of having lost a special family member or friend. Often, as the holiday approaches, the media, stores, and plans with friends, co-workers and families can trigger a profound sense of loss associated with powerful memories of loved ones who have passed away. Appreciating the important need to deal with grief during holiday times, Forest Lawn's Grief Support Coordinator, Anita Wallace offers these tips:
   
- Plan in Advance: Talk openly with friends and family about the activities you'd like to do and those that may too difficult. If this is your first holiday since your loved one passed away, acknowledge in advance how difficult it is going to be. Find a way to honor the memory of your loved one - light a candle, donate to a charity, or buy their favorite flower.    
- Give Yourself Permission to Cry: Typically, our culture is uncomfortable with grief, so it is especially difficult to be in mourning during a festive time of year. Acknowledge that no matter what you do, the loss of your loved one is painful. Crying is perfectly acceptable.
- Give Yourself Permission to Feel Good: If you have a moment of laughter or a shared joke with someone, don't feel guilty. Holidays are a time for being with friends and family. Feeling light-hearted does not mean you are forgetting your loved ones.
- Slow Down: Focus on a few things, the minimum effort that will make you feel good. Don't be shy about asking for help. Now is the time to call those friends/family members who said, "If you need anything call me."

About Forest Lawn
Forest Lawn is the community resource where families and friends turn to celebrate life - from weddings and baptisms to funerals and family history. Founded in 1906, Forest Lawn serves Southern California through its six locations - Cypress, Covina Hills, Glendale, Hollywood Hills, Long Beach and Claremont - with 1,250 acres, of which only 750 are developed. Forest Lawn originated the memorial-park concept that eliminated upright tombstones in favor of sweeping vistas and lawns and opened the first mortuary on dedicated cemetery grounds. For more information and additional resources on grief, please visit www.forestlawn.com.




Valentines Day Without the Love of Your Life Tips For Managing Grief

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