When you’re in the throes of grief after the death of a loved one, it’s easy to neglect a lot of things, including a regular gratitude practice. Losing someone you love can leave you feeling helpless, depressed, bitter, or many other complex emotions. Regardless, what you’re feeling is probably very far from grateful. At Rundus Funeral Home, we are always here for our Broomfield neighbors that are grieving the death of a loved one. We know it’s not easy to be thankful during grief, so here are a few helpful tips on how to choose gratitude while grieving.

Appreciate the little things.

Living without a loved one can make it difficult to pay attention to anything but your grief. If you can, try to acknowledge the little things in your life that are going well, despite your grieving heart. Maybe your neighbor performed a small act of kindness for you when they delivered homemade cookies to your door, or perhaps a family member shows they care by regularly calling to check on you. In cases like these, acknowledge the thoughtful act, say thank you, and try to let the person know how much it means to you. If it’s uncomfortable to say it loud for whatever reason, send them a thank you note.

Write it down.

A gratitude journal is an easy way to keep track of everything you’re grateful for. Grab a blank notebook and a pen and head to a quiet place in your home. Try to spend a few minutes each day writing down the things you appreciate in your daily life. These can be as simple as your morning cup of coffee or more elaborate like the overseas vacation you took last year. You may wish to write about your loved one and all the things you appreciated about them. This is a great way to honor and preserve your memories of them.

Examine new perspectives.

Learning about how others cope with grief can be comforting and enlightening to those who are grieving a loss themselves. Reading grief-focused books and online articles can help you see how others view grief and approach loss. Joining a grief support group in your community can provide more insight and help you feel less alone. Meeting people who are perhaps at a different stage in their grief can be comforting and provide a new outlook on your own experience with grief.

At Rundus, we are here for families in the weeks and months following a death. Contact our compassionate staff to learn more about our grief recovery services.