The Grieving Process

Recently a very close family member lost his life after battling a long illness. The fact that he had been suffering and is now free from all pain and discomfort is something of a blessing, but I will certainly miss him having known him all my life.

As you get older and especially at my time of life, I will be experiencing more deaths within my family and circle of friends and it is still a massive shock when someone dies however much it is expected.

But how long does the grieving process continue? The reason I ask is that after a couple of weeks I am still very upset and it still seems to be affecting me in my own day-to-day life.

It doesn’t really help that the family member made it abundantly clear that he did not want a traditional funeral. He preferred the idea of a Pure Cremation i.e. the body be cremated and returned to the family with the minimum of fuss. He then wanted a party to be organised playing the music of Pink Floyd (there really is no accounting for taste) and everyone can celebrate his life away from the gloom of a funeral.

But is this the right way to go about it. Obviously it is what he wanted so the answer is yes, but while a funeral doesn't exactly draw a line under the whole event, it gives a chance for family and friends to come to terms and move on with their own lives. I for one would find it easier to deal with.

What are your thoughts? Do you think a Pure Cremation is the way to go (sic) or should family and friends have an opportunity to grieve together?

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