While anyone who has lost a loved one grieves after losing a loved one, suicide and bereavement is often an even more complicated and painful situation. Survivors not only deal with the normal feelings of sadness and loss, but they also wonder whether they could have said or done something to prevent the suicide from taking place. The fact that a person took his or her own life leads to a number of questions for those left behind and in some cases may even trigger thoughts of taking similar steps themselves.
The news that someone has passed away can hit the survivors very hard. It’s normal for someone to feel shock in the hours and days following the event. Some people describe feeling hollow or physically exhausted shortly after hearing the news. It’s not uncommon for a grieving person to experience tightness in the chest or other types of physical discomfort.
Suicide and bereavement creates a different level of pain for survivors. If it was not readily apparent that the deceased was troubled in the days and weeks before death, friends and family members will be asking themselves why the event occurred. Survivors may blame themselves for not recognizing the signs that the deceased was considering ending it all. Friends and family members may also wonder what the final event or feeling was that pushed the person to take such a drastic step.
Anger is another common reaction when a loved one has taken his or her own life. The surviving friends and family members often feel rejected or abandoned as a result of the deceased’s action. It’s normal for survivors to wonder why the person who committed suicide chose to leave them by ending his or her life prematurely.
Religious beliefs also play a role in suicide and bereavement. Survivors who are part of a traditional congregation may not want to let others know the true cause of death due to concerns about how the rest of the community may react. They may not know how to explain what has taken place to fellow parishioners or clergyman.
Suicide and bereavement can even trigger feelings of despair which are so deep that close friends and family members may feel they can’t go on without their loved one. The sense of loss can feel overwhelming and some people contemplate committing suicide themselves. To help them cope with these feelings, suicide and bereavement counseling may be helpful.