It is always very difficult to deal with the sudden death of a close friend or family member but losing someone special to suicide is especially painful.  Friends and family members are often left with intense emotional trauma as they wonder what caused the victim to decide to commit suicide and sometimes those who are grieving a loss by suicide can even develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  Part of what makes dealing with suicide even more difficult is that the survivors are responsible for cleaning up the scene if it occurs on their property.  Fortunately, there are professionals who provide suicide cleanup services to remove the physical evidence of the tragedy and they work with a sense of compassion to help those affected by suicide begin the healing and recovery process.

The grief felt after losing a loved one to suicide can be especially difficult. Source: Flickr

If you are working through grief after losing a loved one to suicide, these tips can help immensely in coping with suicide and eventually finding peace.

Be Ready for Overwhelming Emotions

In the immediate aftermath of a suicide, there is work that needs to be done including calling a professional for suicide cleanup and planning the funeral which can temporarily distract you from the intense emotions.  However, once the cleaning is done and the funeral is over, a wide range of intense emotions may overcome a grieving individual in the coming days and weeks.  The most common emotions elicited by suicide include grief and mourning as well as shock, anger, confusion, or rejection and it is important for those who are grieving to be prepared for the entire range of emotions.  Accepting these emotions will help you get through the healing process.

Get Support from Friends and Family Members

Grieving the loss of a loved one alone can be very difficult which makes it important to talk to close friends and family members for support.  Keeping in contact with those that care about you as you work through the grieving process can help you handle the more intense emotions of coping with suicide.

Understand the Stigma of a Suicide

In the case of a suicide, there will always be people who will be less than supportive because suicides have a stigma attached to them.  Mostly for religious reasons, some people may not be empathetic to those who have survived the suicide of a loved one.  The best way to react to this stigma is to accept that it is there and only seek support from people who are empathetic and willing to help you.

Talk to a Professional Counselor

Reaching out to friends and family can help you work through the grief of a suicide. Source: Flickr

Having a support system of your friends and family members is crucial for working through the grief of a suicide and talking to a professional counselor as well can also be of significant help.  Professional counselors have experience helping people cope with suicide and they can help you prepare and work through emotions that many people in the same situation have dealt with.  There are also bereavement groups that can help you cope with the grief.

It’s OK to Think Positively

Experiencing the death of a loved one by suicide is an extremely painful and life changing event but it is important to remember that the grief will not last forever.  Do not be afraid to think positive thoughts even as you are still working through the grieving process as it can help you better accept the loss and find some peace of mind.  One way you can help your healing through positive thinking is by focusing on your favorite memories with that person before their passing so that these memories are the first things that come to mind when you think about this person in the future.

There is no right way to work through the grief caused by the loss of a loved one from suicide but bearing these tips in mind can really help you find some peace after such a tragic situation.  Keeping in touch with those who care most about you and reaching out for professional help are extremely important for working through the grief.  You should also make sure to call a professional that specializes in suicide cleanup as soon as possible as they will remove all physical evidence and respect your emotions and privacy as they work.  Removing the physical evidence is an important first step for beginning the healing process.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.