"Man to Man" Grief Room Blog Spot

Its been a long time since I posted here on my blog.  I am back.... Would you buy a car, new or used, without doing your research? Of, course not, you want to be an informed consumer.  As I have noted here before, but is worth mentioning again.....funeral prices and cremation prices have escalated in many parts of the country. If you are in the need to purchase these services, and I do purposely choose the word "purchase," Shop Around, Shop Around. With 47% of people in the US electing cremation, the prices for cremation have taken a big jump, except maybe for a few discount crematories who will provide "Direct Cremation"of the body and return of the ashes without any service / gathering for $645 - $4,000 or so.    By 2018, the U.S. cremation rate is projected to reach 50.6 percent, said Barbara Kemmis, executive director of the Cremation Association of North America ( http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/06/01/new-cremation-trends/28329461/).  Th...

I do not accept advertising on this blog, because I am not interested in financially benefiting from this work. I am providing this as information only not as a recommendation.                                                                                                                                         ...

New to Grief.... you may feel like a chameleon trying to conform and do grief "right."  Don't let people tell you how you "should" grieve.  You will grieve your own way, in your own time.  Forget the euphemisms people through at you to try to "comfort" you.   "Time heals all wounds," "She lived a long time," "Now he's an angel in heaven." "You are young you can find somebody else,"“Let go and move on," They will say to little boys,"Big boys don't cry".... Your well-meaning family, friends, co-workers may be well meaning with their euphemisms, but they do more bad than good to help you with your grief process.  

In Darlene Cross's new book: "A New Normal: learning to live with grief " she points out one of the most important things new grief newbies need to know: "The most widely model you may have had likely heard bout is commonly referred to as the ' stages of grief. ' ...Keep reading because the shocking truth is there is no such thing." Many people learned in school or church about he stages of grief. It is usually described as a neat set of steps that carry you from one stage to another in a neat, smooth package - forget it- is right. - http://www.amazon.com/New-Normal-Learning-Grief-ebook/dp/B0036FUS6M/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1

“Is Your Lack of Forgiveness Blocking your Grief Process? “ by Tim Heller, MSW/LCSW,                   Spousal Loss Survivor                                                                                                                                       Hospice Bereavement Coordinator Is there a situation or a difficult history between you and your deceased loved one or a related party that is in need for forgiveness?   Could your unwillingness to forgive your loved one be blocking your grief process?   Many professionals in the grief field would answer the question with a reso...