Death, Loss and Spiritual Growth

Are you having a difficult time coping with the loss of a loved one during these traumatic times? Today, on Facebook Live, Heidi talked with Galen Goben, Grief Support Director for Forest Lawn Mortuary and an ordained minister, about the intersection between death, loss, and spiritual growth.

What’s Changed?

People feel stuck in their grief and angry at the inability to recognize their losses — COVID-19 or otherwise — over the last few months. Not being able to hug your friends and family and get that physical support has left so many feeling lonely.

What’s Possible?

While there are still funerals, even this has changed. They are mostly outdoors with less than ten people. There is social distancing or people participate from their cars. Many of these funerals include Zoom conferencing. This virtual participation brings everyone together in new ways.

Yet, these events do not have the same fullness that we are accustomed. This makes it challenging to support our grief. Now, grief has become more complicated. It may even be extended as there is more work to do to get through the broader range of emotions that social distancing and shelter-in-place has done. Taking away our ability to say goodbye to loved ones at their bedside or physically say goodbye at a funeral has all changed.

Finding Our Spiritual Center

However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways that we can find support. This is the time to find our spiritual center and develop that further as a healthy guide through this complex grieving process. Everyone may have a different spiritual center — some aided by their faith while others can turn to nature to find beauty and purpose.

It is having some spiritual center that can ground you and put you in a moment where things feel good or right, pulling you away from the anxiety, loss, and anger that you ay have felt. Everyone may find that hope in their own place. It could be a scripture, a movie, a person, a blog, or some part of nature.

Watch Here

Click on the video below to watch the entire Facebook Live discussion.

Death, Loss and Spiritual Growth

Posted by Open to Hope Foundation on Monday, June 1, 2020

Gloria Horsley

Dr. Gloria Horsley is an internationally known grief expert, psychotherapist, and bereaved parent. She started "Open to Hope" to help the millions in the world with grief. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Clinical Nurse Specialist, and has worked in the field of family therapy for over 20 years. Dr. Horsley hosts the syndicated internet radio show, The Grief Blog which is one of the top ranked shows on Health Voice America. She serves the Compassionate Friends in a number of roles including as a Board of Directors, chapter leader, workshop facilitator, and frequently serves as media spokesperson. Dr. Horsley is often called on to present seminars throughout the country. She has made appearances on numerous television and radio programs including "The Today Show," "Montel Williams," and "Sallie Jessie Raphael." In addition, she has authored a number of articles and written several books including Teen Grief Relief with Dr. Heidi Horlsey, and The In-Law Survival Guide.