Ritualizing Grief

Finding an outlet for all the feelings attendant to the death of a loved one can be very difficult. You want to somehow acknowledge the loss, both privately and publicly, but aren’t sure of how to use your grief in order to do that.

A video from The Grieving Center in New York City on the Six C’s of Memorial Services is an easy-to-use resource for those who do want to commemorate the life of a loved one in some way. The Six C’s are: Calendar—choosing a date to memorialize someone; Community—involving people close to you in the process; Commitment—honoring your relationship to the deceased; Chant—using music as a means to remembrance and healing; Chasm—bridging the gap between where you are and where the departed is, regardless of beliefs; and Ceremony—the actual memorial service or event.

Whether you are a person of faith or not, going through these steps in a fashion that is comfortable for you can help lessen the burden of grief by allowing you to share it and express it. [Grievingcenter.org]