Grieving is a stressful process. It drains you. But it is as natural as life itself. Everybody should be given their space to grieve, over a lost loved one, death of a pet, passing of a friend or a celebrity one looks up to.
We all grieve differently. Some want to be alone, some want to be surrounded with people that matter. These coping mechanisms can be observed on Filipinos’ funeral wake – some are loud, full of people while some choose to celebrate the life of the departed in a private chapel with some chosen few. Some grieve quickly while others have the process longer.
These are just a few of the many types of griefs we need to recognize. It is important to consider as well that everyone grieves openly, loudly, silently and/or privately. We don’t really know what everyone goes through deep inside them.
Filipinos are showy. But we also know how to respect privacy. When a family or friend grieves, sometimes we should dare step onto that line and ask about their well being. A few of the types of grief mentioned above could affect the emotional and mental illness in the future. It is important to help. Reach out. Be kind.