Managing grief can be really difficult. Below are some suggestions that may help you or your loved one.

Accepting your feelings

There is no right or wrong way to feel after losing someone you care about. Accepting the feelings you have and acknowledging you are going through a stressful experience may be helpful in managing your reactions. Many people wrongly think the intensity of their feelings means they are going mad.

Allow yourself to cry

It is OK to cry. You do not have to be "over it" in any specified time. If you feel uncomfortable about crying in front of people you may want to make a plan so you can leave and go to a more private place. This may be a quiet room, the park, a school counselor's office, your church, or your favorite spot.

If you are in a classroom, you may need your teacher's permission at the beginning of class, then if it happens the teacher will know what you are doing and that you are safe.

Take time out

Friends and relatives may have deep feelings of grief as well. The way they manage these feelings may be different to you, which can mean that people's reactions to things are exaggerated. Things that would not usually stress people out may do so. If you are having trouble coping with other friends or relatives it may be a good idea to take time out. You may like to:

• Go for a walk
• Listen to music
• Hang out with friends
• Write down your feelings

It's okay to smile

After you have lost someone it may be helpful to talk about the memories and good times you have had with that person. There are likely to be many happy memories and fun times. It is okay, to enjoy those memories and have a laugh about the fun you have shared. This is not a sign that you miss the person any less.

Saying goodbye is important

Part of the grieving process is letting go of the person who has died. Saying goodbye to the person helps you to do this. You may want to do this by:

• Writing a letter
• Going to the funeral
• Having your own memorial service

It is important to say goodbye in your own way and in your own time. There is no right or wrong way for doing this.

Avoid bottling stuff up

Keeping things to yourself may mean that the tension builds up inside you. Finding a way to express how you are feeling may help you to feel better. You may like to talk to someone, write your thoughts down, draw, or punch some pillows.

Have a massage

Having a massage may be a nice way to help you release some of that tension that can build within you. Talking to someone you trust about how you are feeling may be helpful. This may be a family member, friend or pastor. It may help to share your experiences with others who have had similar experiences.

The Why We Gather Community

Why We Gather is an online resource that enables those who are experiencing the grieving process or mourning the loss of a loved one to connect with one another and to hear from experts. There are four ways you can utilize this program to help you move through your grief.

Written Grief Resources - To gain a greater understanding of the grief process and the support you can receive for different kinds of grief, we recommend resources written by Dr. William G. "Bill" Hoy, DMin, FT, director of Grief Connect: The Center for Bereavement Education.

YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/WhyWeGather) - This channel houses short videos from experts speaking on the topic of grief, the role a funeral plays in the mourning process and more. You can simply watch videos on-demand or create a YouTube account for free and subscribe to the channel to receive real-time updates each time a new video is posted. You also can comment on the videos and interact with other users.

Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/WhyWeGather) - Here you can share your story and get feedback from other users. You also can “like” the page to receive updates in your News Feed.

Twitter Page (www.twitter.com/WhyWeGather) - This page is for those who have a Twitter account and wish to follow the @WhyWeGather feed for the latest news and updates, with links to videos and articles on the topic of mourning and grief.