What Is Unconventional Grief?

There are different kinds of grief, and people deal with it in different ways. People going through this challenging time can find support online. However, there's one kind of grief that is rarely discussed or even acknowledged, and that is unconventional grief. At Tindall Funeral Homes, we believe that unconventional grief needs healing because it can lead to a lot of unresolved issues down the line. Here is what you need to know about this:

What Is Unconventional Grief?

Unconventional grief is when you grieve for a person who is still alive and will remain alive for several months or years to come. As social beings, we don’t connect with faces or physical attributes of a person. We connect with their personality, character, and their engagement. If a person changes so much that their personality or character is virtually unrecognizable, you can experience intense grief. Everything you loved or cherished about that person is gone, and that can give you a significant feeling of loss.

What Are The Common Causes?

Several things, including serious illnesses, can cause unconventional grief. If something changes the very essence and character of your loved one, you will experience grief. Here's a look at common causes:

• Drug addiction and substance abuse
• Depression, PTSD, and other serious mental illnesses
• Dementia, Alzheimer’s or other degenerative diseases
• Brain injury
• Family trauma

If you mourn the loss of who your loved one used to be, give yourself the time needed to grieve. Don't dismiss this pain because it is as real as grieving after the loss of life. Take time away from that person, connect with others in a similar situation, and focus on your mental health to recover.

Contact us at Tindall Funeral Home through our online form or call (315) 468-5521 if you want to know about our funeral services and need advice on different services that can be provided. We're always here to assist in any way we can.