How To Better Cope with a Sudden Death

Sudden death is the unexpected instantaneous death that occurs within minutes from any cause other than violence. Any death is difficult, but it can be even harder for the family when it happens unexpectedly.

Dealing with loss is never easy. The shock of a sudden death brings out many emotions. Even with an older family member in reasonably good health, a sudden death can hit you hard. Many people are in disbelief as they have not had a way to prepare. 

There are ways to cope when a loved one dies suddenly and unexpectedly so that you're not alone during this emotional experience.

Death is a sensitive subject that everyone experiences at some point in their lives. Father John Valadez once wrote, "Death is an uninvited stranger to nature." Yet, other people feel death is the natural course of life. For others, death is a devastating shock. Coping with the overwhelming emotions is essential to your overall mental health.

Seek Comfort

One of the hardest parts of grieving is feeling alone in the process. Fortunately, you are not alone. Friends and family can be the strongest supporters during this time. Never feel you must grieve alone; reach out to your loved ones for comfort. 

Group comfort also allows you to share an intimate moment with those around you. Share stories and funny memories of the person who has deceased. Together you can laugh, cry and share embraces as you remember the person who has departed. Grieving is less challenging than if you were to deal with it by yourself.

Embrace the Grief

Secondly, embracing grief is one of the ways of how to cope with sudden death. No one says you cannot feel emotional: death is hard for everyone. Although it's a natural part of the lifecycle, you'll see everyone deals with grief differently. 

Many people describe grief as being similar to fear. Hearing what people are telling you can be challenging. Have a friend or loved one you can trust to help you through this and be your ears. This person might be the person who serves as your point person to communicate with friends and family as you might not be up to making the many phone calls and messages that may be required. 

Whether you feel sad, angry, confused, or numb, remember that this is normal. You might even find yourself dealing with delayed reactions well after the funeral. No matter how you feel, know that emotions are a huge and normal part of the experience.

Don't Bear All the Responsibility

Like seeking out external comfort, don't feel you must embrace responsibility for this death alone. Let the funeral home run most of it. Funeral homes handle more than some might think. While they are responsible for the funeral, they can cover transportation, storage of the body, memorials, burial or cremation, obituary, etc. 

Funeral homes and other death-related services understand this is an emotional period for you and want to help you as you go through these emotions. 

It Takes Time

Dealing with a loved one's passing takes time. Whether it takes you two weeks or two years to get over a death, there is no time limit. The important part is you mourn at your own pace. With that, you should still take care of yourself. 

If you are in a depression or emotionally distraught state, seek help from friends, family, or a licensed therapist. They are there to comfort and support you during your time of need. Other healthy coping mechanisms include eating well, exercising, and bathing. While these activities seem hard at first, you will find you can live your life while processing your loss in time.