Open to Hope Articles

Do you want to read stories of others who have been where you are? Are you looking for bereavement help, and advice? Look no further. We offer over 7,000 articles written by our Open to Hope authors.

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The Party: Accepting Bliss While Grieving

Posted on July 20, 2022 - by Larry Hirschhorn

If you have lost a child, you know: Despair stings unexpectedly. When you see a photo of your child out of the corner of your eye, or hear a song […]

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After Losing Spouse, Be Aware of Online Deceivers

Posted on July 20, 2022 - by Peggy Bell

When you first lose your spouse, many feelings consume you. You may feel numb, fearful, hurt, crushed, angry, in disbelief, or broken. Maybe you feel a combination or even all […]

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How to Survive a Memorial Service by Eating All the Cookies

Posted on July 12, 2022 - by Sherry Walling

Dad Helped Plan His Memorial Service We had a memorial service for my dad. He helped plan the shindig. He picked the songs for the video slideshow, asked me to […]

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Emotions During COVID-19

Fear of Hoping is Obstacle to Grieving

Posted on July 11, 2022 - by Kelly Grosklags

Many people have a difficult relationship with the word hope. They have a fear of hoping. Someone asked me recently, “Does it take courage to hope?” The short answer is […]

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The Wisdom of Grief: Healing Through the Dark Emotions

Posted on July 11, 2022 - by Miriam Greenspan

The Wisdom of Grief It is said that when someone we love dies, a part of us dies too. In my experience, it is not a part but the whole—the […]

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When a Spouse Dies Suddenly: Two-Week Game Plan

Posted on July 8, 2022 - by Kristin Meekhof

When a Spouse Dies Suddenly What do you do when your spouse dies suddenly? First, contact medical or other authorities. Then call a friend, neighbor, or relative to be with […]

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Mantras for Mourning: How to Coexist with Grief

Posted on June 29, 2022 - by Sara Striefel

Mantras for Mourning Two and a half years after my mother’s death, I still discover unexpected ways in which grief opens my heart. I am learning that grief, while painful […]

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Uvalde Murders Trigger Grief

Posted on June 27, 2022 - by Lo Anne Mayer

Uvalde Murders Trigger Grief Ever since our daughter died in 2005, I have experienced heartbreak each time I learn of other children who have died.  My own awareness of the […]

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Helping Children After Mass Tragedies

Posted on June 20, 2022 - by Bob Baugher

Children Shocked by Mass Tragedies In 1963, it was the assassination of a president. In 1986, it was the explosion of the Space Shuttle witnessed by millions of children on […]

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Remembering Dakota: Sibling Loss and Its Impacts

Posted on June 14, 2022 - by Skye Page

Brother Died Before I Was Born When was the first time I learned about death? I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know about it. Hi, I’m Skye, and […]

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