Ways to Overcome Your Fear of Funerals
Although funerals can act as a celebration of someone's life, they're rarely an occasion you'll look forward to. For some people, the sense of apprehension that comes with attending a funeral will grow into full-blown dread. That dread is especially amplified when they're attending the service of someone they were very close to. If you suffer from a fear of funerals, you may feel tempted to back away from the occasion. However, there are ways you can attend them while managing your fear.
Remain Open About Your Worries
As with any other anxiety you may have, it's sometimes tempting to mask your fear of funerals. You may tell those around you that, although you're not looking forward to the occasion, you're not too concerned.
Talking about your fears and anxieties is a useful way to gain perspective of them. You may find that it helps to hear stories from others who have found themselves in your situation. Try asking your funeral director if they have any anecdotes they can share, as hearing positive stories may reduce your concerns.
Find a Supporting Partner
When you're the person organising a funeral, you may feel as though you have all the support you need. A lot of people will rally around you and so you won't feel entirely alone with your emotions at any stage.
If you're someone who's attending a funeral, you may feel quite alone in the situation. Although others will be there sharing your grief, they're not a direct pillar of support. A way to work around this is to ask a friend, relative or spouse to attend the funeral with you as a form of support. Knowing that you have someone there who will hear your unique concerns can feel very reassuring.
Practice Self-Care
Grief can have quite a startling effect on your ability to function. Your loss may leave you feeling as though you don't have an appetite. You may also struggle to sleep and enjoy your usual hobbies.
Practising self-care can help you offset some of the effects of grief. For example, if you're struggling to eat your normal meals, you can schedule time to eat small and nutritious snacks. If your thoughts are keeping you awake at night, you can try to take naps during the day. Caring for yourself will help you diminish the negative side effects of grief, which may, in turn, make your funeral anxiety less severe.
For more information, contact a funeral director.
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