Creative projects help with complex grief

Mourning is a constant balancing act of seeking closeness and finding acceptance in the distance.  It is precisely in our everyday life in which joys and dramas unfold — birth, love, illness, and grief.  The collective sharing of stories empower mourners to recall everyday life in rich detail, to recognize the personality of the deceased, to feel close, and to reconnect with them.

When we die, what remains online plays a big part in determining our digital legacy.  The digital footprint left behind can help fill the gaps of understanding, and alleviate persistent feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, guilt, or anger. 

Social media hasn’t changed the emotional perception or experience of grief, but it has changed the way it is expressed—how solace is obtained and grief is processed. 

This aligns with the continuing bonds theory, which says relationships do change after death but do not end, and that continuing the bond with a deceased person can be normal, adaptive and comforting.

Moreover, the exploration of inherited photographs can aid in easing grief by offering insights into the deceased's life, uncovering hidden aspects  of their journey, providing reassurance, addressing lingering questions, and reconstructing their life story.

 What a profound gift you can pass along to the children and future generations. Think about what your legacy will be. Have you shared all your stories? If not, how come?