01202 673164
MENU

My New Life - How do I start?

This page will be most relevant if you are the spouse or partner of the person who has died but this is not to underestimate the loss that can be felt by other relationships; indeed as discussed on another page, it is the reliance upon each other in a relationship that is a major factor in the feeling of loss. However, typically, it is the spouse or partner who will need to make the greatest adjustments to their lives.

You may find it difficult to believe that life may return to something that is enjoyable and meaningful, but it can. You will need to be strong (even if you don’t feel it) and you will need to be optimistic during the difficult times ahead. Look for little successes in what you do; celebrate them and use them to unlock the route to greater successes.

Take advantage of Tapper Funeral Service’s Outlook Bereavement Support; it is there for you and people like you; it is free of charge and you can tap into its resources and drop out again whenever you want to. When you feel at a low ebb, write on our message board, perhaps others are feeling the same way or can offer support having been there recently themselves.

Despite it appearing at first a little extreme, you need to move towards a ‘new life’. Many aspects of your life will change. From a practical perspective you may need to learn to perform the tasks that your partner/spouse used to do for you both or at least find someone to do it for you. Perhaps he always mowed the lawn; perhaps she always cooked the dinner. You could take a positive out of this dilemma and enrol in a class to learn these new skills; perhaps you have a friend who could attend too, for support. Your social world has also changed as some of the things you enjoyed together may be far more difficult on your own. Perhaps you socialised with a group of other couples – this may feel less comfortable now. However, perhaps there were things you would have liked to have done in the past that were not very popular with your other half? In bereavement new opportunities arise, such as the perusal of new hobbies that may provide great enjoyment.

You may feel you need support. You probably have the support of family and friends, but they will all have their own lives to lead and may not be with you all of the time. You may find it helpful to have the support of other people who are in a similar situation to you and others who are perhaps a little further on in their bereavement. Outlook Bereavement Support also arranges informal, friendly meetings, usually over some coffee, where people can just talk about their experiences or just listen to other people. There is always a leader at these meetings who is well aware how frightening it can be to attend and who will do everything possible to make newcomers comfortable. In addition to these group meetings, there are remembrance services that are perhaps more meditative than they are religious. There is also a network offering a range of social opportunities from local theatre visits to day trips by coach, to fitness and yoga classes. There is something for everyone.