Written by Memorial Mortuary & Cemeteries in-house Grief Counselor, Amanda Nelsen Technology and Grief Grief often changes our whole world – and the digital age has brought about a whole new dimension of grief. Mourning used to be more intimate – something that was done with a small group of family or friends and typically in person. Now our grief experience can play out on the public stage of social media, online communities, and virtual memorials. Below we will highlight a few of the unique challenges and unexpected opportunities that come with navigating grief in our tech-connected world. The Social Media Dilemma In the digital era, it's become customary to share our lives online, but when it comes to grief, the lines blur. Condolences come in the form of likes and comments, leaving us to grapple with the question: Is a virtual hug as comforting as a real one? The struggle to balance the genuine support from our online circles with the sometimes superficial nature of digital interactions is real. We can be surrounded by digital support, but still feel quite alone in our grief day-to-day. Online Communities One beneficial aspect of grieving in the digital age is the emergence of online communities that offer comfort and understanding. Whether it's a forum, a Facebook group, or a subreddit, these virtual spaces have become very popular over the past couple decades. The ability to connect with others who have walked a similar path can be a lifeline in times of isolation. They can be especially helpful when you feel you have a unique grief/situation and are having a hard time finding people around you who have been through a similar situation. The Echo Chamber of Grief While online support can be a balm for the grieving soul, the digital echo chamber can also amplify the pain. Constant reminders of loss, triggered by algorithms and shared memories, can sometimes hinder the healing process. Striking a balance between staying connected and avoiding being overloaded can be difficult. Pressure to Post These days, when we are so connected, grieving in the public eye can sometimes feel like a performance. We might feel pressure to share our grief when we aren’t ready, or to put a positive spin on our grief when we aren’t feeling that way. We also may not want to share anything about our grief at all, which can also leave others feeling like we aren’t “properly” grieving. It can sometimes feel difficult to balance vulnerability and privacy. Embracing the Pros and Cons of Digital Grief In our hyperconnected world, grief weaves itself into many digital aspects of our lives. The challenges are real, but so are the opportunities for connection and understanding. As we navigate loss in the digital age, let's remember that grief is as unique as the internet – messy, unpredictable, and ultimately, a deeply human experience. So here's to finding comfort in the virtual hugs, solace in shared stories, and navigating grief in a world that's more connected than ever. If you feel like you could use extra support with your grief, please reach out to Amanda Nelsen Amanda.Nelsen@MemorialUtah.com.

  Written by Memorial Mortuary & Cemeteries in-house Grief Counselor, Amanda Nelsen How can I get closure? This is a question I hear on a pretty regular basis. And I completely understand what is behind it – we want to be able to put the painful feelings of grief behind us. We want to be … Continued The post Grief Integration appeared first on Memorial Mortuaries.

Written by Memorial Mortuary & Cemeteries in-house Grief Counselor, Amanda Nelsen The topic of regret has been on my mind recently. I often hear clients talk about the regrets they had after a loved one died – some become quite reflective on things they could have done differently or “better” while their loved one was … Continued The post Regret appeared first on Memorial Mortuaries.

We are grateful your family has chosen to entrust your loved one into our care. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has required us to enact some adjustments to how we conduct arrangement conferences, viewings, funeral or memorial services, and other aspects of our processes. Our goal is to allow you and your family to spend as … Continued The post An Update regarding COVID-19 and its impacts on funeral, burial, and memorial services appeared first on Memorial Mortuaries.

  Recently, an article came out highlighting the incredible relationship between a mother Orca and her baby calf, who passed away shortly after being born. The mother, Tahlequah, used her snout to keep her deceased calf afloat for 17 days and covered over 1,000 miles of ocean in the process, an unprecedented display of mourning … Continued The post Why is a funeral so important? appeared first on Memorial Mortuaries.

Many of us have seen a loved one struggle with a terminal diagnosis. It isn’t something we like to talk about, but many of us will also get our OWN terminal diagnosis.  Having a terminal diagnosis brings its own type of grief and decisions to be made. How do you grieve your own death before … Continued The post Coping With A Terminal Illness appeared first on Memorial Mortuaries.

Written by Memorial Mortuary & Cemeteries in-house grief counselor, Amanda Nelsen: I am often asked for resources for young children who have lost someone close to them. Stories are often a good way to open up dialogue with children and illustrate death in a more concrete fashion. I compiled some of my favorites for easy … Continued The post Grief Resources for Children appeared first on Memorial Mortuaries.

Written by Memorial Mortuary & Cemeteries in-house grief counselor, Amanda Nelsen: The holiday season is upon us again.  This can be a particularly tough time to navigate if you are grieving.  In fact, if you google “holidays and grief” the first result is for a depression/suicide hotline number.  Obviously, there is a lot of heartache … Continued The post Experiencing Grief During the Holiday Season appeared first on Memorial Mortuaries.

Grief is unpleasant.  Grief is heartbreaking.  Grief is HARD. Written by Memorial Mortuary & Cemeteries in-house grief counselor, Amanda Nelsen: But grief is also natural. We should be heartbroken when someone we love dies.  We should be sad and lonely when death takes a dear friend.  It doesn’t mean it’s easy to feel those emotions, … Continued The post Normal Grieving appeared first on Memorial Mortuaries.