How can I cope with the wrongful death of a loved one?

If you recently lost a loved one due to another person’s negligent actions, the pain can also be too much to bear. Losing someone close to you is never easy, but it can be especially difficult when the loss is senseless or happens suddenly. The Mayo Clinic offers the following tips on how to cope with grief, which can help you navigate the process to the best of your ability.

Give yourself time
There are many different stages to the grieving process. Additionally, everyone grieves differently, which means it might take you longer to go through the different stages. This is normal and it’s important that you accept the many the different emotions you’re likely to feel, from anger to guilt to sadness and virtually everything in between.

Rely on your support system
Don’t isolate yourself when grieving. Instead, look for support from friends and family, who may also be experiencing a range of emotions. If you don’t have a strong social network, consider seeing a counselor or signing up for a support group. Being surrounded by others with similar experiences can be very cathartic, especially when it comes to the complex emotions associated with grief.

Leave important decisions for later
If you’re faced with a significant decision, such as changing jobs or moving homes, try to put it off until for a while. Your thinking is bound to be clouded by the intensity of your emotions, and once things cool down you could regret the choice you made. Of course, some decisions can’t be avoided no matter where you are mentally. In this case, seek guidance from someone you trust to get an unbiased perspective.