It is completely normal to feel overwhelmed at the idea of attending a funeral. It does not matter if the deceased happens to be a family member, a friend or a distant relative. There are still many people who experience some sort of funeral anxiety, so you should not think you are alone. For most, a fear of funerals will have them questioning whether or not they should attend the funeral or not. You should not let this anxiety keep you from honoring someone you loved. Here are a few ways you can overcome your funeral fears:
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Be open about your fears. A good way to work through your funeral fears is to be upfront about them. Acknowledging that you have some type of fear or even anxiety toward attending a funeral can help you begin to overcome these fears. Talking with your friends and family members is another great way to try to alleviate some of your stress and anxiety prior to attending the funeral. Funeral directors also have great resources to help alleviate any fears or concerns you may have concerning the funeral, so do not be afraid to reach out to them and ask for help. Remember this is what they are there for, to help you through the entire funeral process.
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Allow yourself to express your emotions and cry. It is normal to be emotional and cry at a funeral. Many people will find that they are overcome with emotion and cry during a funeral. Do not be afraid that you cannot express yourself during a funeral. Most people will be crying right along with you. It is a very upsetting time for everyone attending the funeral, and it is perfectly normal to express these emotions during the funeral ceremony. If you feel as if you are too emotional, you can always take a few moments to gather yourself and come back, or you could sit down and try to relax and breathe without leaving the ceremony. It is up to you and whatever makes you more comfortable.
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Find someone to support you. There is such a thing as strength in numbers, and if you need someone to lean on during the funeral, then you should go ahead and find someone who can be there for you. You can get a friend or someone you are comfortable with to attend the funeral with you, so you do not feel so alone and vulnerable during the ceremony. Being with a familiar and trusted person can make you feel a little more comfortable and make the funeral just a little less stressful.
It is completely normal to experience some sort of anxiety over attending a loved one’s funeral. However, you should not let this anxiety keep you from honoring your loved one one last time. Unfortunately, anxiety is one of the many emotional and physical symptoms of grief, and it can rear its ugly head at the most inconvenient time. This means you may experience this type of anxiety when you have never had anxiety before. You may want to try some relaxation techniques leading up to the funeral, such as deep breathing, warm soothing baths, aromatherapy and even meditating to help you overcome and cope with your funeral fears.