Aftercare
Supporting you through bereavement
There’s a lot to do and think about when you’re arranging a funeral or tangi. It’s easy to push away feelings of sadness when you’re so busy. But after the funeral, when everything has quietened down, the reality of living with loss can be overwhelming.
We will give you or immediate family members free support and care through these difficult days.
Sowman's aftercare bereavement support
There's no right or wrong way to grieve, and people experience the grieving process differently.
Our Aftercare service is available for anyone who has suffered a bereavement. We offer support, reassurance and education, including a free copy of Now what? a guide for people living with the death of someone close by grief counsellor, Dr. Lois Tonkin.
We will contact you a few weeks after the funeral to see how you are coping. However, if you wish to speak with us before this, please do contact us.
We can also put you in touch with other services if you need longer-term support.
Bereavement support doesn’t replace family and friends but it widens the circle as part of a full support system.
Ways to help yourself through grief
- Exercise regularly—choose an activity you enjoy.
- Maintain a balanced diet and take supplements if you need to.
- Structure your time. Keep routines as normal as possible, especially where children are concerned.
- Spend time with others and also allow yourself some time out.
- Do things that make you feel good.
- Talk to people. Express your emotions clearly and honestly to those you trust.
- Write down some of your thoughts or feelings.
- Limit your use of drugs or alcohol.
- Keep important decisions for a later time. Your judgement may, for the moment, be affected.
- Ask for help when you need it.
- Most importantly, be gentle with yourself. Grieving is hard. Take the time you need.