What Is Cumulative Grief?

Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation • January 17, 2022
funeral home in Morrison, IL

Have you heard of cumulative grief? While everyone will experience grief at one time or another, generally after the loss of a loved one and a service at a funeral home in Morrison, IL , experiencing losses one right after another can lead to what is called “cumulative grief.”  

Cumulative grief can occur when someone experiences more than one loss in a short period of time, causing the pain of each loss to compound each other into oftentimes overwhelming grief. The symptoms of cumulative grief include numbness, high blood pressure, sleeplessness, feeling overwhelmed, avoiding processing the losses, and processing one loss but not being able to process any others.   

Here are fast facts about cumulative grief to help you understand this phenomenon and how you can get through it. To begin, all grief, even cumulative grief, takes time to work through. Don’t try and rush through the feelings even if it hurts as this may just leave you feeling overwhelmed. Don’t try to avoid the feelings, either, as they will continue to build up and cause more pain in the long run.  

Age increases the risk of cumulative grief. As people get into their 70s, 80s, and 90s, they oftentimes find themselves experiencing more frequent loss of friends, family members, and other loved ones. Substance abuse can also increase the risk for cumulative grief. People that use drugs or alcohol to numb grief oftentimes don’t fully feel their losses, putting them at greater risk for cumulative grief when they stop using the drugs or alcohol. 

Remember, it’s not shameful to seek help, especially since cumulative grief can affect your physical health. Finding professional help, like a therapist or counselor, can go a long way towards easing you through cumulative grief. Grief can devastate you emotionally, mentally, and physically. In fact, it can raise blood pressure, increase the risk of blood clots, and even alter the heart muscle to mimic the symptoms of a heart attack.  

Multiple loses can also heighten feelings. The simple nature of cumulative grief is that it’s hard. How could feeling the pain of multiple losses not be? As tough as feeling the heightened emotions all at once, it’s better than ignoring the feelings until they become too much to bear. Grief is also cyclical. Grief , especially cumulative grief, is cyclical, meaning that one day you might feel better, but then the next you start to feel terrible again. This doesn’t mean you’re regressing or not making progress, it’s just part of the grief experience. This cyclical nature also means that you can make room for joy and happiness within your grief journey. After all, being happy does not negate the love you had for your lost loved one. 

Finally, cumulative grief isn’t just about death. While death is the most common cause of cumulative grief, it can also be caused by other losses like a change in friends, loss of identity, job loss, or a loss in future dreams or goals.  

Cumulative grief may be hard, but you can get through it. Work one day at a time and you will come out the other side. Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation is here to help if you want to learn more about grief or Morrison, IL funeral homes. Call or visit us today.  

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Since 1975, Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation has been dedicated to offering families compassionate and personalized funeral services. With nearly five decades of experience, we have earned a reputation as a trusted provider among funeral homes Morrison, IL . We recognize that each funeral service should be as unique as the individual it honors. Our commitment to tailoring every aspect of the service ensures that it reflects the deceased's life, values, and personality. By working closely with families, we create meaningful and memorable tributes that provide comfort and respect during a difficult time. The Emotional Resonance of Music Music has a profound effect on our emotions, and it plays a crucial role in creating a memorable and meaningful funeral service. Whether it’s a classical piece, a beloved hymn, or a contemporary song, music helps encapsulate the essence of the individual’s life, offering comfort and connection for those grieving. Personalized Selection: Choosing the right music can create an atmosphere of reflection and celebration. We work closely with families to understand their loved one’s musical preferences and passions, enabling us to suggest selections that will truly reflect their spirit. Creating a Meaningful Atmosphere: Music sets the tone for the service, guiding the emotional journey of the attendees. A well-chosen piece can evoke memories, bring solace, and provide an avenue for expressing feelings that words might struggle to convey. This can be particularly healing for those in mourning, offering a channel for their emotions. Integrating Music into the Service From prelude to postlude, music can be seamlessly woven throughout the funeral service to enhance its emotional impact and structure. Prelude and Postlude: The prelude sets the stage as guests arrive, creating an ambiance of quiet reflection. Conversely, the postlude can serve as a gentle farewell, leaving attendees with a sense of peace as they depart. During the Ceremony: Throughout the ceremony, music can punctuate moments of silence, accompany reading, or provide a backdrop for personal reflections and eulogies. These musical interludes can help to frame the service, marking different segments and allowing for moments of contemplation. Live Performances vs. Recorded Music: Live music, whether it’s a soloist, choir, or instrumentalist, brings a personal touch to the service, making the experience even more unique. However, recorded music can be equally powerful, providing a consistent and high-quality sound. Diverse Musical Preferences Acknowledging our community's diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, We cater to a wide range of musical traditions and preferences. Religious Hymns: For many, traditional religious hymns provide comfort and a sense of continuity, linking the service to a greater spiritual framework. Secular Songs: Secular music can capture a broad spectrum of emotions and themes, reflecting the deceased's personality and the unique moments of their life. This could range from a favorite pop song to a timeless ballad that was significant to them. Cultural Traditions: Cultural heritage can significantly influence musical choices, with specific instruments, songs, or styles playing pivotal roles in the ceremony. Respecting and incorporating these aspects can make the service deeply meaningful to the bereaved. At Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation, we understand the powerful role that music plays in creating a personalized and memorable funeral service. Music has the ability to evoke deep emotions and can serve as a meaningful tribute to the life and legacy of a loved one. As trusted providers among funeral homes Morrison, IL, we are committed to guiding families in selecting the perfect music that resonates with the personality and values of the deceased. By working closely with you, we ensure that every service reflects the individuality of your loved one. Please don't hesitate to call us for further assistance in planning a funeral.
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