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Why Do We Grieve? April 14, 2021

In loving Memory engraved in stone

The death of someone close to us can lead us down a path of asking some deep and profound questions. Why are we here? What is the meaning of life? Why do I need to go through this? When it comes to grief, what is it and why do we even need to experience it.

It is important to recognize that grief isn’t just a human emotion. In many instances, it is at the core of life. Many animals including primates express grief when losing a loved one, and that grief can last for an extended period of time. Watching an animal grieve can be extremely emotional, especially knowing there is little one can do to communicate and comfort them.

The reality is that there is a science to grief. When someone is experiencing grief, they have increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol. When someone tries to consciously subdue stress, it can lead to panic attacks. Grief has also been shown in MRI’s when the nucleus accumbens seem to glow when a person remembers a loved one.

It is also worthy to note that grief is not limited to the death of a loved one. It can result after a divorce, when moving from a beloved home or city, or in any significant change one may experience in life.

There is no question there is beauty in overcoming grief. It is why so many seek out the comraderies of a support group. These groups often produce lifelong friends and relationships, all grown from the seeds of grief.

At Fares J. Funeral Homes and Crematory, we see intense grief almost every day. It is unique in every situation. Why would we do this? It is because of our desire to help people. We can be a steady voice, a shoulder to cry on, a calming influence in a hectic situation. It is our mission.

It may not be easy to hear or understand, but grief is virtually unavoidable. We all will likely experience it at some point in our lives. Animals experience it and humans experience it. It is recognized as having both physical and psychological ramifications. The best we can hope to do is perhaps understand it and experience it on our own level.

How can we assist you? If your family doesn’t have a funeral director they can count on in a time of need, we invite you to learn more about us. Contact us and ask any question you please. We have been fortunate to serve generations of families in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region. We would be honored to help.

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