‘To weep is to make less the depth of grief’ – William Shakespeare
Many people worry about crying when they’re at a funeral. They may feel that it’s inappropriate to grieve publicly, or worry that they’ll embarrass themselves, particularly if they find themselves overcome with grief. For other people, they might be concerned that their tears will be upsetting for others, and feel anxious about how they’re going to keep their emotions under control.
When you’re saying goodbye to a loved one, it’s perfectly normal – and acceptable – to cry. You’re mourning the loss of someone you knew and feeling great sadness that they will no longer be there in your life. There’s no need to hold back the tears when they come.
Of course not everybody cries at a funeral. Some people prefer to grieve alone, and that is fine, too. If you’re giving a eulogy, you might want to be ‘strong’ so you can get through the speech. In fact, as you recall amusing anecdotes you might find yourself laughing at the memories – laughter, like tears, is a wonderful way of releasing emotions.
Crying can actually help with the grieving process. When we cry, our tears help the body rid itself of chemicals that raise the stress hormone cortisol. That’s why many people feel better once they’ve had a cry. In fact, in one survey, 85% of women and 73% of men said they felt less sad and angry after they’d had a cry. Allowing yourself to cry means you can slowly, bit by bit, release your pent-up emotions and move from a place of deep sadness to one of acceptance.
* Don’t forget to join us for mince pies and mulled wine at our annual Christmas Carol Service at Harwood Park on Wednesday 16th December at 7.30pm. It’s a wonderful way to remember loved ones who remain in our hearts if not in our lives. For your free ticket, call 01438 815555. Donations gratefully received for the Samaritans.
