Bereavement Support

In case of a bereavement please call the Jewish Joint Burial Society on 020 8989 5252 They will help and support you to make the arrangements you need.  Please also call the Synagogue on 020 8238 1000  We are here to help you.

We experience bereavement and loss as part of our lives from birth to death.

Grief is painful but not an illness and the symptoms that grief may cause can sometimes be alarming.

Bereavement is like a journey, which can at times be lonely, very painful and long.

For some people, it may be difficult to accept the loss, and there may be a sense of denial about the reality of what has occurred.
It is not uncommon to think you see or hear the dead person and it can take some time for the full realisation to sink in.

For a long, long time you can feel very tired, lethargic, unable to make decisions, strained and physically run down.
It may be difficult to eat or sleep.

Grief is time-consuming and exhausting. It is not unusual to feel despondent and depressed. Many people lose interest in the things that they normally enjoy doing.

You may experience feelings of helplessness and find it difficult coping with your everyday life. All these feelings are very natural.

You may also experience guilt, panic and anger – even anger at the dead person. Do not try to hide these feelings; try to share them with a sympathetic listener. Well-meaning friends may feel that after a few weeks you will be ‘back to normal’ but this is unrealistic. Other people may be afraid to speak to you because they are uncomfortable with loss, and/or they fear upsetting you. So they may avoid you which can be awkward and mean that you may have to make the first move. Let them know you need their support and the comfort of their friendship.

It is tempting to think that if you change your environment you will feel better. But it is unwise to make big decisions about your life too soon.

At first your grief will be with you wherever you are. Kind friends will want to distract you and ‘cheer you up’.

You will also need times of quiet and aloneness and stillness to do your grieving. It is very tiring to be constantly pulled away from your true feelings and unless you do have time and space in which to feel your sadness, your journey of grief can be more complicated.

Feelings shift and change sometimes from moment to moment. You can have a good morning and a terrible afternoon as memory, daily routine, and emotions collide. There will be better days and then at times there may be setbacks. This is all part of the process of healing and coming to terms with loss, and all that loss encompasses.

Over time pain should ease and positive memories can provide comfort. When you feel ready it is important to enjoy life again and not to feel disloyal to the person that has died.
Your grieving will be individual to you. It will take as long as it takes. It is important to allow yourself to put it aside even when sorrow remains.

You will never put aside the memories and influence of the person you love.