This is a term that we came across by chance. But it is something we feel is very relatable and relevant and this is why we decided to do it as a topic. We feel, unfortunately, many people would have gone through this at some point in time. Or could be currently going through it right now…….
Please see Grief Overload which covers:
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1. Introduction
This is a term that we came across by chance. But it is something we feel is very relatable and relevant and this is why we decided to do it as a topic.
“Grief Overload is when you experience too many significant losses all at once or in a relatively short period of time”
We feel, unfortunately, many people would have gone through this at some point in time. Or could be currently going through it right now.
For my sister and I growing up, we attended many funerals. Because it happened so often and we were young, we didn’t really have an understanding of what was happening. It wasn’t until we got older that this changed, and we started becoming more aware of what was going on.
In my elder years, a close friend of mine passed away. It hit me hard and fast. It was so fast that I didn’t even realise what was happening to me. I lost a sufficient amount of weight in a short space of time.
Because of this, I told myself I couldn’t react like this when someone passes away, otherwise, there would be nothing left of me. I wasn’t prepared for the drastic change, but it happened and I had to work through it. This was when loss meant something completely different to the feelings of when growing up.
About 3 months after my friend passed away, our great Uncle passed away. This time, I was conscious of what happened with my weight loss, and I hadn’t recovered from it. so I tried my best to do things differently. I put my focus on our Mum and how she was feeling. Also, my sister and I as well as our Mum were in charge of organising the funeral, so this is also where we put our focus.
Grief has many faces and shows up in many ways. This is why we will always try our best to share any new knowledge we come across in our grief journey.
Please see Grief Overload – Cumulative Grief:
2.1 When grief is too much to bear?
“Grief overload is what you feel when you experience too many significant losses all at once or in a relatively short period of time. The grief of loss overload is different from typical grief because it is emanating from more than one loss and because it is jumbled”.
2.2 How do you deal with bereavement overload?
“Meet with a therapist. If you have a time scheduled out each week to meet with a therapist, you can grieve in a safe environment and hold yourself accountable. Slowly confront your loss. Take your time reintroducing yourself to anything you’ve been avoiding that reminds you of your loss”. (29 Jun 2022)
2.3 How to handle an overload of grief – Vox
(13 Nov 2022) — “If you experience grief overload, don’t be afraid to ask for help or reach out for support. It can be hard to do, but you’ll never regret giving”…
2.4 Grieving multiple losses – how do we cope?
“How do we handle grieving multiple losses without bereavement overload? Death, divorce, job loss, pet loss all contribute to major stress. Find help here”.
3. Cumulative Grief
3.1 Cumulative grief aka overload aka “holy crap I can’t…
(29 Jul 2013) — “It is all too common that a death is followed by another death. Pain is piled on pain; fear on fear; the abyss on the abyss. This experience of”…
3.2 The Distress of Cumulative Grief – Georgetown Psychology
(7 Jul 2021) — “When you are dealt multiple losses, grieving each one becomes much harder. In an ideal world, you get the chance to heal from one loss before”…
3.3 How do you deal with cumulative grief?
What you can do: Creating space to process each individual death and celebrate each life is something that will allow for clearing out the messiness of cumulative grief. To start, recognize each life you’ve lost. Write down their names and memories you remember from their life.
3.4 Tips to managing Cumulative Grief: – Queen City Hospice
“Cumulative Grief may occur when an individual, experiences multiple losses either all at once or before processing an earlier loss”.
3.5 Cumulative Grief Causes, Symptoms and Coping Tips
(8 Jan 2021) — “Cumulative grief can occur if an individual experiences multiple losses during a short period. Cumulative grief can be extremely difficult”…
4. Our final thoughts
We hope this will be of some use to those who read it.
5. Our YouTube Video
Grief Probate Journey 