GriefShare with The Mt. Elliott Cemeteries

• Explore the depth and duration of grief and why it is so intense.
• Common physical, mental, and spiritual struggles.
• Understand feelings of guilt and handling anger.
• Learn ways to manage daily tasks when exhausted.
• See the hope for the future. 

• Your grief is unique and influenced by your relationship with your loved one, the circumstances and other factors.
• What truly brings comfort versus unhealthy ways you might try to cope.
• Comfort and connection with God as a source of living water.
• Lean into faith and understand how to process emotions both intellectually and through your lived experiences.

• Intense sadness and feeling cut off from others are common responses to losing someone, not signs you’re “going crazy”.
• Grief experts and those with similar experiences share why loneliness hits so hard (video).
• Learn how to move from feeling stuck in despair to finding gentle encouragement and direction towards healing and resilience.

• Grief impacts mind, body, and spirit, making self-care crucial.
• Explore simple, practical steps to care for oneself during this difficult time.
• Find ways to connect with supportive people and allow for joy alongside pain.
• Learn what’s “normal” in grief and how self-care helps manage difficult emotions like loneliness, anger, or fear.
• How to see self-care as a strength, not a weakness, and a path to personal growth. 

• Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or terrified is a natural part of grief, not a sign you’re failing.
• Understand the fears and anxieties that are common at this time.
• Explore how to manage the overwhelming nature of grief and anxiety about daily living and the future, and how to find moments of peace amidst the turmoil.

• Anger is a natural reaction to loss and is not sinful in itself. 
• Understand the sources and expressions of one’s anger after a loss.
• Learn healthy coping strategies.
• Explore the importance of forgiveness and how to transform anger, with God’s help.

• “What if” thoughts are a very normal part of grief, but shouldn’t become an endless cycle.
• Learning to confront and reframe obsessive thoughts about things you could have done differently.
• Discover ways to move past guilt and regret, often involving self-compassion and understanding that you did your best.
• Understand God’s perspective on guilt, finding peace through prayer, and focusing on the positive impact your loved one had.
• How to focus on positive memories, find forgiveness, and use regret to move forward, not get stuck.

Grief & Your Household:

• How to deal with secondary losses.
• What to do with your loved one’s possessions.
• Helpful tips for parenting grieving children & teens.

Grief & Your Friendships:

• Other people can help you deal with changes.
• Having realistic expectations of others is important.
• How to talk to people who are uncomfortable with grief.

• Trusting God with questions is a step forward in faith.
• The benefits of asking God “What can I learn from this?”
• You can learn what happens after death in God’s Word.

• Being “stuck” in grief is not about time; it’s about not taking steps toward healing.
• Being stuck results from negative thought patterns.
• Bible reading & prayer defend against wrong thinking.

• Biblical hope is more than “wishful thinking.”
• How resilience helps you press on after loss.
• Resilience grows the more you ground yourself in God’s truth.

• “Legacy projects” that bless others & honor your loved one.
• Preserving memories & using lessons you’ve learned from your loved one.
• Pursuing interests or skills renews your sense of purpose.

Help and hope as you navigate the Christmas season Wondering how you will survive the weeks surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas? Are you dreading these holidays, knowing that everything has changed and that happy memories from past years can’t be recreated?

Our Surviving the Holidays seminar is especially for people who are grieving a loved one’s death. You’ll learn:

• How to deal with the many emotions you’ll face during the holidays
• What to do about traditions and other coming changes
• Helpful tips for surviving social events
• How to discover hope for your future