To understand the necessity of grief and mourning, it is important to understand the difference between the two.
To understand the necessity of grief and mourning, it is important to understand the difference between the two. The terms are often used interchangeably, but they do not mean the same thing.
Grief is the deep sorrowful feeling that comes when dealing with a loss. We can grieve the loss of many things, from experiences to people. It's a strong emotion that is unavoidable in most instances of loss. Grief is private and internal, and everyone feels their grief differently.
Mourning, on the other hand, is the outward expression of grief. Mourning takes the internal grief you are feeling and makes it public and shared. One of the greatest gifts we have is the ability to share our grief with others through mourning.
It takes courage to mourn and it isn't easy. Many times, we are reluctant to feel the pain of loss. Or we may feel like it’s selfish or weak if we acknowledge our feelings of grief.
However, grief specialists say that one of the first steps to healing is to mourn. The physical act of mourning essentially kicks off the grieving process, allowing you to start to heal.
That's why funeral services are so important even in today's uncertain times. They allow family and friends to come together to share in their grief even if only from a distance. But this social connection, in turn, allows you to mourn your loss, to be comforted and surrounded by love.
In times of crisis, it can seem like there are "bigger things to worry about" than your grief and mourning. But that is not the case. The need to grieve does not just go away. It can't be pushed aside.
One of the greatest things you can do is give yourself the space to feel grief and mourn.
