GRIEF ARTICLE

Back to Strategies for Grieving and Q & A;

Healing Daily Losses

Seven Tasks of Grieving

Creating a Sanctuary

Ten Steps to Grieving the Loss of a Parent

How You Can Support a Grieving Friend

Helping Your Children Grieve

Writing a Letter to a Deceased Loved One

Compassionate Listening

Writing a Letter to a Deceased Loved One

Writing a letter is a powerful way to reconnect with a loved one after he or she has died. Here are some sample questions you might ask yourself as you write:

• What experiences have I been through since my loved one's death?
• What do I miss?
• What do I regret?
• What issues in our relationship remain unresolved?
• What do I appreciate?
  
• What have I learned about myself, my loved one, and my relationship?
  
• What do I want to carry on?

Ask yourself the following questions after you have written your letter:

• Was I open and honest?
  
• Did I express my love and appreciation?
  
• Did I address unresolved issues in our relationship?
  
• Do I still feel regrets?
  
• Are any resentments still bothering me?
  
• Is anything left unsaid?
  
• Do I feel forgiveness? Do I feel more understanding?

From the article, Love After Death by Alexandra Kennedy.