How to Support Your Mental Health Through Grief
by Steve Pritchard-Jones
Grief affects every part of us — our hearts, our bodies, and most certainly, our minds. It’s not just about sadness; it’s about disorientation, exhaustion, anger, fear, even numbness. At Top Note Ceremonies, we often meet people at one of the hardest points in their lives. As celebrants, we know that while we can’t take grief away, we can talk about it — and help you feel a little less alone.
Here are some ways to support your mental health while grieving:
1. Acknowledge that grief is not linear
Grief doesn’t follow a tidy five-step process. It loops, doubles back, and surprises you months or even years later. You might feel fine one moment and completely undone the next. That’s not a setback — it’s human. Give yourself permission to grieve in your own way and your own time.
2. Speak the name
Whether it’s with friends, family, or in your own private journal, talk about the person you’ve lost. Share stories, memories, and even frustrations. Keeping their name alive can be incredibly healing, especially when others might not know how to bring them up.
3. Make space for rest
Grief is physically draining. It’s okay if your usual routines go out the window. Eat when you can, sleep when you can, and don’t feel guilty if all you managed to do today was just be. Rest isn’t indulgent — it’s necessary.
4. Seek support, not solutions
You don’t need fixing — you need companionship. Whether that’s a friend who sits in silence with you, a grief support group, or a trained counsellor, being heard and witnessed can be profoundly comforting. You deserve that space.
5. Create small rituals
Light a candle. Play their favourite song. Take a walk in a place they loved. Grief lives in the everyday — and so can comfort. These small acts can become touchstones, gently helping you process your loss without forcing anything.
6. Let yourself feel joy
This might seem impossible or even inappropriate. But moments of laughter, warmth, and even silliness don’t mean you’ve forgotten or that your grief is invalid. In fact, those flickers of joy can be part of what helps you carry on. Grief and love exist side by side.
7. Ask for help — and accept it
If you’re feeling stuck in a place of deep despair, it’s okay to reach out for professional help. You don’t need to be in crisis to deserve support. Grief counselling, bereavement charities, your GP — they’re there for you.
Grief doesn’t have a finish line, but with care, patience, and support, it can soften. At Top Note Ceremonies, we honour not just the lives of those who have died, but also the lives of those who remain — those who grieve, love, and carry on.
If you’re planning a funeral or memorial and want space for reflection, comfort, and meaning, we’re here. With compassion, without judgement.
You’re not alone. And you don’t have to go through this alone, either.
Steve Pritchard-Jones
Top Note Ceremonies
www.pjtopnote.co.uk
