Hospice counsellors share guidance on dealing with grief this Father’s Day

Categories: Care.

Father’s Day on Sunday 19 June is a lovely celebration but can also cause a tidal wave of grief for those who have lost their father or father-figure, or for fathers who have lost a baby or child.

Whether the death was recent or many years ago, Father’s Day can evoke mixed emotions for people grieving, especially if the relationship was complicated, creating not just sadness, but regret, confusion and anger.

Sandra Fowles, bereavement counsellor at leading end-of-life charity, Treetops Hospice, has shared advice and guidance on how people and their loved ones can cope:

“This is a time to be really kind to yourself. Any feelings associated with your bereavement are a natural part of the grieving process and are individual to you.

“The most important thing is to accept all these feelings and allow the emotions that come up to be expressed, rather than pushing them away.

“Being around others who understand and can be empathetic can make a big difference to how you cope. Taking the time to do something nurturing for yourself is okay and it’s alright for you to enjoy yourself too.

Other advice includes:

Acknowledge the day and its impact on you

  • The lead up to Father’s Day may feel harder to deal with than the day itself, as there are constant reminders leading up to it. It can be hard to avoid messages and adverts on social media or television, and cards and banners on display in shops.
  • Have an idea of how you might spend the day. You may be tempted not to make any plans at all and try to ‘avoid’ those difficult feelings, but this could end up making you feel worse.
  • There is no one ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to spend Father’s Day. Although your father may not be physically present, remember that you carry him with you in your daily life, in your memories and in the many traditions you take forward.

Talk to someone

  • Try and share with others how you are feeling and what you might need on Father’s Day. Sometimes people avoid the topic as they worry about upsetting you, so opening the conversation yourself can mean you getting the support you need.
  • If you know someone who is grieving the loss of a parent or a child, having a conversation with them about that person can be really comforting.
  • Mention the person by name, talk about the impact they had on your life and share memories and anecdotes.

On Father’s Day itself

  • You might want to consider visiting a favourite spot of theirs or their resting place. Take something to commemorate the day such as a photo, their preferred drink or a special object
  • Pay tribute to your special person by spending time doing something they liked to do or that you did together. You could play their favourite music; watch a film they loved or celebrate by eating their favourite meal and raising a glass in their memory
  • Plant a tree or sow some flower seeds. Getting outdoors in nature can be healing in itself
  • You may even want to start a new tradition in their honour 

For children, the same guidance can apply but allow them to have different views and needs from you and from their siblings. You can also involve them in discussions about any plans for the day.

Treetops Hospice trained counsellors support grieving children, young people and adults. The charity also offers a weekly peer support group for adults who’ve been bereaved.

To find out more, call Treetops on 0115 949 6944 or go to www.treetops.org.uk.

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About Treetops Hospice

Treetops Hospice, the leading end-of-life care charity in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, provides nursing care and emotional support for adults with life-limiting conditions, and their families.

The charity provides support from diagnosis onwards for patients with conditions such as cancer, motor neurone disease and heart and respiratory conditions.

Founded in 1983, Treetops supports thousands of local people – and their families – through the most difficult time of their lives. Last year, our team of over 40 Hospice at Home nurses provided over 23,800 hours of care to terminally-ill patients, working day and night to give much-needed support.

We have a team of bereavement counsellors who provide over 4,000 counselling sessions – over 900 of them to children and young people. Wellbeing team members provide valuable information and support to those who need it, while our experts in end-of life care and bereavement support dedicate many hours to training NHS staff about death and dying.

Treetops are lucky to have over 450 amazing volunteers who help to keep the hospice running smoothly.

It costs £4.2m each year to run the hospice. A counselling session for a bereaved child costs £34. An overnight Hospice at Home nursing shift for a patient at the end of life costs £108.

Treetops is doing all it can to continue to support those in most need and welcomes donations to ensure the future of the hospice and its services: www.treetopshospice.org.uk/donate

 

 

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