Articles
Here are some thoughts we would like to share. If you have a touching farewell story you would like the world to know please write to us.
Five ways to cherish your loved one's memory: Simple tips you can apply
The article outlines five heartfelt and emotionally supportive ways to cherish the memory of a loved one after their passing. These include writing a farewell letter to express unspoken thoughts, creating a music playlist of songs tied to their memory, and assembling a memory album or collage with meaningful photos. It also encourages practicing mindfulness and contemplation to reflect on emotions, and having spoken conversations with the deceased to maintain a sense of connection. Each method serves as a therapeutic tool to help navigate grief, offering personal, creative, and healing ways to honor and remember those we’ve lost.
Published on 8 Apr 2025, 1:03 p.m.
Ways to comfort a bereaved friend using emotional intelligence: Part 2
Comforting a bereaved friend requires emotional intelligence, which includes humility, individuality, patience, and sympathy. Humility allows you to set aside pride and prejudices, making it easier to genuinely connect with your grieving friend. Individuality encourages you to be your authentic self rather than imitating others when offering support. Patience helps you give the bereaved time and space to grieve in their own way, while sympathy allows you to express care through listening, eye contact, and simple gestures like a hug or a reassuring presence. Together, these qualities foster deeper emotional connections and help ease the pain of grief.
Published on 18 Mar 2025, 11:31 a.m.
How to comfort a bereaved friend using emotional intelligence: Part 1
Comforting a bereaved friend can be challenging, but emotional intelligence provides a framework for support. The article emphasizes seven key principles—agape love, respect, empathy, humility, individuality, patience, and sympathy—as effective ways to offer comfort. Agape love encourages unconditional support without expecting anything in return, while respect involves actively listening and valuing the bereaved person’s emotions. Empathy helps one understand and share in their pain by putting oneself in their shoes and offering practical support. Ultimately, emotional intelligence fosters meaningful connections that help ease grief.
Published on 15 Mar 2025, 7:21 a.m.
The 5 stages of bereavement/mourning: An African perspective
The article explores psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—through an African cultural lens. It highlights how different African traditions help individuals process grief.
Published on 28 Feb 2025, 5:27 p.m.
The African perspective on coping with the loss of a family member:
The article explores how different African cultures cope with the loss of a family member through funeral rituals and ceremonies. It highlights the universal role of funerals in marking the transition of both the deceased and the bereaved, helping individuals confront grief rather than suppress it.
Published on 28 Feb 2025, 4:51 p.m.