Different Categories of Resources Associated With Grief and Loss

When you lose a loved one, the shock of their absence can leave you spiraling. You might know you need support and resources, but feel unsure what kind of resources you need. For those supporting a griever, learning about your family or friend's type of loss is a great way to put yourself in their shoes and respond with empathy. There are a variety of categories of content associated with grief resources for people experiencing the death of a loved one. Here are some common categories that may help you on your grief journey.

• Emotional support – The emotional support resources for those walking through the loss of a loved one would include counseling, therapy, and support groups. But more specifically, what it looks like to walk your loved one through their final days, education on grief, loss, and any trauma that may surround their loss.
• Information and Education – This would provide information and education about grief, loss, loss type, legal help, or self-care through books, articles, and videos.
• Practical Guidance – These are resources that provide practical guidance on topics such as funeral planning, estate planning, state laws regarding probate, and legal proceedings related to the death of a loved one.
• Online support – These resources provide online support through specific forums, chat rooms, and social media groups for people who have experienced the death of a loved one. There are many specific to the type of loss you’re experiencing as well.
• Children and Families – Age matters when it comes to grief and loss. This group of resources would help walk you through providing support and guidance for children, teens, and families who have experienced the death of a loved one. This would include age-appropriate books, activities, and support groups.
• Grief and Bereavement by Culture – Each culture handles grief, loss, and burial a little differently. These resources provide support and guidance for various cultures and ethnic groups, including traditional customs, rituals, and practices, and cultural-specific support groups.
• Loss by Suicide – This sudden loss of a loved one can be one of the most shocking. These resources would provide support for grieving loss by suicide, such as education, age-appropriate support groups, and counseling services.
• Loss of a Child – The loss of a child is so multifaceted. Resources related to the loss of a child would include support for the mother, father, and siblings. They would also include counseling services to help parents with the stress this adds both individually and to their marriage.
• Pregnancy Loss – These resources would help educate those experiencing pregnancy loss, issues in-utero as well as premature birth. But would also include anticipatory loss and sudden, tragic loss information.
• Loss of a Spouse – This information would help those who have lost a spouse whether anticipatory or sudden loss. From support groups and counseling services to practical advice on processing probate, and planning a meaningful memorial service.
• Loss of a Parent – Parent loss resources would include legal planning, estate, and probate processing, walking your parent through their final days, how to plan a funeral, as well as grief groups and counseling services.
• Specific Loss – While death is universal, how someone dies can be as unique as they are. These resources would help walk you through anticipatory losses like terminal illnesses such as cancer and cognitive decline or sudden, tragic death such as accidents, homicide, and death by suicide.
• Anticipatory Loss – This may include materials about the specific type of loss you’re dealing with, end-of-life care, organ transplant, and memorial service planning. As well as outlining the common feelings when awaiting the death of a loved one.
• Sudden / Tragic Loss – These types of losses would include accidents, death by suicide or homicide. Each type of sudden loss would require its own resources to help you walk through the grief related to each loss.
• School Personnel – These resources would help school personnel as they support their students through grief and loss. This would include age-appropriate books, videos, and activities.
• COVID-19 Death – While it’s hard to imagine any of us forgetting the COVID-19 days, losing a loved one during that was unlike any other. Resources related to deaths during this time would be counseling and therapy for those grieving, trauma support for those who weren’t present when their loved one passed away, and even information regarding whether your loved one's funeral expenses could be covered by FEMA.