I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light. -Helen Keller

LOSS OF A FRIEND

A friend is the one who accepts and loves the imperfect, flawed and messed up you. They are the one who will run to you even if you call them in the middle of the night. They love and accept you for who you are. You can share your darkest and deepest secrets with them without the fear of being judged. They stand with you through sunshine and storm, through thick and thin. Strong friendships are a critical aspect of most people's emotional well-being
“Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.” — Muhammad Al

Grieving the Loss

Death is inevitable and can visit our lives anytime. You can't avoid the intense grief and pain following the death of someone you love. It feels like you are in a state of suspended reality, going up and down. When a friend dies it can be incredibly painful. Although it’s often overlooked, the loss of a friend is just as devastating as that of any other loved one. It comes with the same force and it quickly takes you through a whirlwind of emotions. Some friends are like family to us and their death is a huge loss in our lives. Other friends may not have been as close, but will still be very much missed.
Sometimes a death may come as a shock, or we may be taken by surprise by strong feelings of loss for someone we haven’t seen in a while. You may experience a change in your relationship with other friends – may question the value of those friendships or invest more heavily in them, realizing that constancy is not guaranteed.

Coping with Grief

It's OK to Not Be OK. You need time and patience to heal from the pain of loss. Not everyone will appreciate the scale of your loss because society doesn’t value friendship. Attend the funeral of your friend. Everywhere you look could remind you of the happier times spent together. Remember the things that you did together, and the things that they enjoyed doing the most.
Although there may be no one else in the world who can come close to replacing your best friend, consider talking with other loved ones, other friends, a grief counselor who can offer emotional support after your loss. It can be helpful to share your grief and seek support from your family. Having someone to listen to is one of the significant factors in supporting a grieving person. Social media can help you through some of the darkest times as there’s always someone available online to listen and offer advice.
Support groups can provide a setting to talk with others who share and understand your experiences and feelings. A shared community in which you can express your emotions to others who understand, having someone available to listen or be a sounding board can ease feelings of loneliness and frustration. You meet others going through similar situations, hear their stories, you will understand that you are not alone.
Create a living memorial including charitable work, establishing a fund in honor of your friend, and consider being a good listener for another person going through a similar loss. Take time to feel nostalgic and remember your life with your friend. Share anecdotes and favorite stories about your friend with people who know them well.
Writing a letter to your friend telling them of all the things you wished you could say before they died can help dealing with the grief. You can seal it and keep it with their photograph.
Be in touch with their family and talk to them regularly. Keep aside a day each month to visit their home. Remember the important dates every year like their birthday and try to be with the family. It's OK to Move On, don’t feel guilty.
If you’re struggling with your grief, please seek support from a mental health professional, such as a therapist or psychologist.

If you’re struggling with your grief, please seek support from a mental health professional, such as a therapist or psychologist.

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