Coping with the death of a spouse is perhaps one of the most stressful events in life. Grieving is painful, and finding ways to fill the void can be difficult. Understanding the breadth of our emotions can be overwhelming. We are never fully prepared to deal with the death of a loved one, whether it occurs after a long illness or if it occurs suddenly. Support is extremely important for the indivi
dual who is in bereavement. It can be given with a listening ear, or through sharing resources and experiences. The support of a friend is the foundation of the healing process. It helps the widowed person to rebuild his or her life, and to cope with the emptiness left by the death of a spouse. After the initial surge of support to the widowed person, family members and friends often return their efforts to their own lives, unaware of the continuing needs of the grieving widowed person. This is where and how the Widowed Persons Service may help. This group of widowed individuals meets twice a month in a local restaurant - to visit, encourage, and support each other. At these dinners, there is no pressure to speak about anything in particular. This is a chance to spend time with people who understand the grief that comes with losing a partner.
