Although this may seem “off topic” for an estate planning/estate administration lawyer’s blog, I wanted to share this because so many of my clients are grieving when they contact me. When someone reaches out for help with probate or trust administration, they are usually in the midst of grappling with their own grief. Other clients are spurred to do their planning because they have lost a loved one. It’s not easy to balance grief and legal necessities, and I hope to share some helpful information along the way.

This post is part of a series of guest posts on issues that are related to estate planning. This one is written by Dr. Corey Hirsch J.D., L.C.S.W. It is part of a two part series; the first part focused on the Stages of Grief.

5 Ways to Cope with Grief

1. Turn to family members and friends and talk about the loss.  When experiencing grief it is normal to retreat inward and isolate yourself from others. However, being alone during the grieving process may contribute to more sadness and depression. Leaning on friends and family or asking for help may seem uncomfortable, however, sharing your grief with others can help you make sense of the grief. Often friends and family struggle with knowing what to do when a loved one is grieving, and when you reach out for help, you provide those closest to you an opportunity to feel helpful during your grieving process.

2. Join a support group. Sometimes grieving can feel very lonely even when others are around. Sharing experiences face-to-face can be an important part of healing. Joining a support group provides you with opportunities to share your grieving with others who have experienced similar losses.

3. Remember and celebrate the lives of your loved ones. Taking steps to remember and celebrate the lost loved one can help you maintain your memories and provide you comfort as you grieve. Rituals such as funerals, keeping a journal, writing a letter to your loved one, creating a memorial and continuing to do activities you enjoyed together, can help you continue to feel connected to and help you celebrate your loved one.

4. Take care of yourself. While taking care of yourself may not feel intuitive during times of grief, neglecting yourself can actually exacerbate and prolong the grieving process. Managing stress through exercise, meditation, spending time in nature, engaging in enjoyable activities, eating well, and sleeping well are all very important when navigating the grief process.

5. Seek professional support. If you are struggling with grief, talking to a mental health professional, such as a therapist, may help you come to terms with the loss. Grief that is left untreated can contribute to serious mental and physical health problems. Treatment can help you heal.

 Remember that grief is a natural and universal experience and everyone grieves differently. Give yourself the time and the space to move through the grieving process in your own way. 

If you need support coping with grief, you can reach out to her at (310) 486-8842 or www.coreyhirschlcsw.com

Dr. Corey Hirsch J.D., L.C.S.W specializes in helping people evaluate whether staying in a marriage or divorce is the right choice for them. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a former criminal defense lawyer. In addition, she has been an Adjunct Professor in the Masters of Psychology program at Pepperdine University. Most importantly, she is a proud single mother of three amazing (and often challenging) daughters.