Father's Day Bereavement

A Father’s Day without a father can be an unsettling experience. It can also be an emotional struggle for fathers who are grieving the loss of a child, this one day becoming a permanent reminder of a loved one taken too soon and a lost dream. For sons and daughters, the fact that most of us outlive our parents doesn’t make it any easier to cope when we lose them. Just as every relationship and bereavement is unique, so too are the feelings experienced by reminders. If you know someone who’s finding it difficult this Sunday please be kind, and let them know that they are not alone.

For those grieving or feeling low, you may want to put yourself first and have a quiet day on your own, or you might feel it’s important to mark the day in a special way for you and your dad. If it feels right, you could write a card, sharing your thoughts and feelings whilst reminiscing about times gone by. You could also hold a simple act of memorial, like partaking in an activity that you used to do together, lighting a candle, planting a shrub in the garden, or by visiting his place of rest.

However you choose to cope with the grief, remember that we are always here to help. Sometimes it can be useful to talk to someone who is not a family member or friend, as they might also be grieving. There are many charities and support networks who can help you through this difficult time. One such charity, Cruse Bereavement Care, has phone lines manned from 9.30am to 5pm on Sunday, and they are available on 0808 8081677.

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