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Dealing With Grief and Loss

Grief Counseling & Support Groups in Fayetteville, TN

Caring for yourself is not selfish. Whether you are recovering from the death of a loved one, the loss of a child, or even the passing of a stranger, grief is a natural part of life.

The period of recovery after loss is different for every person. There is no timetable for grief, so you don’t have to compare yourself with others who have lost loved ones. Your life has changed, and healing in your own way is important for the health of your mind, body, and spirit. It’s normal for some days to be better than others as you mourn.

At Higgins Funeral Home, we strive to provide the resources to help you with the grieving process. Please contact one of our staff if you need guidance towards information, grief support groups, a grief counselor, or other grief support services.

Join Our Grief Support Group

We meet every 4th Thursday of the month at 6 p.m.

Request Individual Grief Counseling

Counseling services are available by appointment.

Visit Our Grief Resources Library

Visit our library and select materials for self-study.

Use Free Online Grief Resources

There are many organizations with helpful information.

Beyond Sorrow – Grief Support

Grief Support Group at Higgins Funeral Home
Led by Joe Self and Hope DeJarnatt
The 4th Thursday of every month at 6 p.m.

Beyond Sorrow is a grief support group with the purpose of allowing those who have lost a loved one to share their struggles with others who have experienced a similar loss. It is our hope to help normalize the intense impacts of grief and provide a safe, non-judgmental space for any griever to share his/her thoughts, emotions, and struggles.

  • Discover and develop inner and outer resources
  • Learn coping strategies
  • Learn how to ask and receive support
  • Learn how to offer support to others
  • Learn new ways of problem-solving from peers

We usually meet on the 4th Thursday of every month at 6:00 p.m.

213 E. Market St, Fayetteville, TN 37334

RSVP is recommended to hope@higginsfh.com or by calling 931.433.2544

Signs You May Need Grief Assistance

Everyone’s grief manifests differently and for different lengths of time. There are many reactions you may have to the loss of a loved one, and most of them are normal. However, some aspects of your grief may be signs that you need additional support or help from a mental health professional.

You should consider additional grief support if:

  • You feel stuck in your grief in some way
  • Your grief has not lessened — or has gotten worse — after several months or a year
  • Your feelings of guilt or anger have not diminished over time
  • You cannot speak your loved one’s name, or you prevent others from talking about them
  • Your feelings of grief, depression, or anxiety disrupt your ability to care for yourself, do your job, or maintain relationships
  • You experience suicidal thoughts or consider self-harm
  • Your use of alcohol, medications, or illegal substances impairs your ability to be a fully-functioning person

If you feel you may need professional assistance, Higgins Funeral Home offers individual grief counseling by appointment.

Visit Our Grief Resources Library

When you visit Higgins Funeral Home in Fayetteville, you have access to our grief library and it’s extensive resources free of charge. Our collection of materials is there to provide comfort and healing to you following many different types of loss.

Find help for:

  • Loss of a spouse
  • Loss of a parent
  • Loss of a child
  • Accidental death
  • Loss by suicide
  • Loss by overdose
  • Military-related loss

Our team is available to help you find the grief support that fits your needs.

Holiday Remembrance Service

Recommendations for Online Support

Should you prefer an online source of grief support, the following link can provide you with sound information to help you manage your feelings and emotions at this most difficult time.

 

Center for Loss & Life Transition

“Though grief is a natural and necessary process, it’s also an extraordinarily difficult one. We’re here to help mourners and those who care for them.”

–Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D., Director of Center for Loss & Life Transition

Frequently Asked Questions About Grief

What does grief look like?

There are many reactions you may have after the loss of a loved one. Feelings of sadness, anger, guilt, relief, or loneliness are all normal reactions. Many people also experience disbelief or shock for a time. Grief manifests differently in your day-to-day life. It’s common and normal for people to be forgetful, have difficulty concentrating, feel tired, have trouble sleeping, and experience dreams about loved ones.

How long does grief last?

There is no timetable for how long your grieving should take. Society tends to expect people to recover quickly after a loss, and this may lead to feeling that you are not grieving quickly enough. Allow yourself to grieve at your own pace, but consider seeking grief support if your grief gets worse with time or your feelings of guilt or anger have not diminished over time.

What are the stages of grief?

In her book On Death and Dying, Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross listed five stages of grief as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Many people began to perceive and perpetuate these feelings as the official stages of grief. These five stages do not entirely encompass all the major feelings of grief.

The reality is that grief is unorderly. It does not occur in stages, and many people experience multiple feelings related to grief at any one time. Many people move past one feeling and return to it later. It is normal if your grief does not take shape as these five stages.

Do I have to forget my loved one in order to heal?

It is a myth that you need to “let go” or forget the deceased in order to move past grief. It is healthy and normal for you to maintain continuing bonds with loved ones after death. These bonds can be things like:

  • thinking about your loved one or dreaming about them
  • talking to them or talking about them
  • visiting their gravesite or a special place
  • other ways that make you feel connected to them

The ways in which you honor and remember your loved one can be an important part of the grief process. It is not a requirement for you to forget your loved one.

Should I see assistance for my grief?

You should always seek additional grief support if you feel it would be helpful to you. While it is true that your grief is personal, talking about your thoughts and feelings with people you trust can help. A grief support group can provide support from others who have experienced a similar loss. A grief counselor can provide an unbiased perspective and help you develop strategies for processing your grief.

Our team at Higgins Funeral Home has supported grieving children, individuals, and families for more than 119 years. We are ready to assist you in finding the right grief support resources for your needs.