Maintaining Connections with Others After Loss

When dealing with loss or grief, finding ways to reach out and connect with others for support can help you understand and work through your feelings. Grief can feel isolating; connecting with ourselves and others can help us heal.

Grief is a universal experience, and when we connect with others who have faced similar losses, we find comfort in shared understanding. It’s important to find someone who listens and validates our emotions but can also help us to see if we are not thinking clearly or distorting something. Whether it’s a close friend, family member, coworker, neighbor, or support group, sharing our feelings can help us to process and manage grief.

Here are some practical ways to stay connected to those around you:

See also How to Talk to Others About My Loss and Where Can I Turn for Support With Death, Loss, or Grief.

You may benefit from going to a support group where there are people you can relate to as they are going through the same type of loss and grief. Support groups can be especially helpful for individuals who feel that nobody understands their situation or how they feel. This is especially true for someone who feels isolated from others. Groups can offer a different connection for a grieving person and a different avenue of hope, understanding, and support.

If you are trying to find a grief support group, consider looking at:

• Mental health professionals
• Family physicians
• Organization websites
• Local non-profit organizations
• Mortuaries
• Hospice organizations
• Social media
• Browser search

Support groups can vary widely in structure and focus, so be selective and choose one that works well with your needs and comfort level.

Note: Consult with your local Family Services office (where available) to get references or recommendations on support groups or community resources available in your area.

In times of sadness or uncertainty, it can feel like nobody understands what you’re going through. However, we are never completely alone. Jesus knows what you are feeling and understands what you are going through because He has felt it, too.

In his talk, “Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ”, Elder Dallin H. Oaks says that the Savior “knows of our anguish, and He is there for us. The power of His Atonement is for everyone.” He suffered every pain. He knows your individual grief, and He can help you through it.

Turning towards the Savior and learning more about the Atonement and how it applies to you can help you feel connected to Him. Here are a few examples of how we can connect with the Savior in times of grief:

• Writing out feelings and including feelings of pain as well as peace,
• Praying for comfort and understanding
• Attending the temple with a focus on connecting with the Savior and seeking hope
• Searching the scriptures for ways others have coped with sadness and grief to find hope to move forward

For more ideas of how to connect with the Savior, view “How the Savior Can Help Us Find Hope Amidst Grief.”

Here are some resources to read or listen to that can help you learn more:

• “Does Jesus Really Understand How I Feel?”
• “Jesus Christ Understands Your Challenges”
• “The Atonement Covers All Pain” | Elder Kent F. Richards
• “He Heals the Heavy Laden” | President Dallin H. Oaks
• “Finding a Safe Harbor” | Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

As we navigate grief and loss, preserving the memories of deceased loved ones can be healing. These memories help us feel connected to our loved ones. Anniversaries of important dates associated with a loved one can be a difficult time for friends and family, and it can also be a time for remembrance and honoring them.

Consider the following ideas for preserving a loved one’s memories:

• Connect with other loved ones and reminisce about the person you are remembering—share stories, laughter, and tears.
• Visit a place that you and your deceased loved one enjoyed going to together to honor their memory.
• Look through pictures of your loved one.
• Create a memory box to store significant items of your loved one.
• Use FamilySearch.org to include memories and photos of your loved one.

Learn how one woman preserved her deceased husband’s memories which helped her through the grieving process.

Serving others can be a good way to maintain connections while going through the healing process yourself. Jesus Christ, our Savior, exemplified selfless service throughout His mortal ministry. He healed the sick, comforted the afflicted, and ministered to those in need. When we serve others, we follow His example and participate in His healing work.

Grief can feel overwhelming. At times, when we turn our focus outward and serve others, our own load can seem lighter. Acts of kindness lift our spirits and provide solace.

Service can help us to:

Serving others can help you in difficult times, not just as a distraction from your own pain but as a sacred act that brings you closer to the Savior and others around you. Keep in mind that serving can be helpful and healing when done in a way that doesn’t avoid the feelings you may be experiencing.

No matter how big or small, opportunities to give service to others are limitless. Kind words and deeds can lift burdens and gladden hearts. For more ways you can serve others, visit JustServe to find opportunities to help others in your community.