The Importance of Saying Goodbye

Death is at once the great mystery to all people and, at the same time, the great inevitability that everyone will one day face. But the manner in which death comes to us, and how we deal with it, is always unique and personal. One of the things that everyone involved in the passing of loved one must tackle head on is the notion of saying goodbye. There are many different ways to go about this, and it is very important to address this need, not just for the one that has passed on but, more importantly, for the people left behind.

Before Passing

If you find yourself in a situation where a loved one has been diagnosed with an illness or condition that gives people time to gather and speak, saying goodbye, however painful, is necessary. It may not feel like it at such a time, but the opportunity to actually speak to the loved one, and have the personal interaction of parties saying goodbye ultimately benefits everyone. 
For the loved one, he or she has the peace of mind of knowing that a final chance to see and speak with friends and family took place. For those that will survive, it is a crucial—though painful—first step on the road to acceptance. There will be many other steps to be taken, but being able to say goodbye, face to face, is part of the healing process.

After Passing

In the event that a death occurred with no one able to speak to the deceased, some kind of funeral service now becomes more important than ever before. It’s important to remember that while a funeral service honors those that have passed on, the real importance and benefit is for the living that now must start making adjustments to their own lives.

A funeral service is a critical psychological step in this process. It is a way to say goodbye to a person that is no longer with us, but it is also an acknowledgement of a change in our lives. A funeral service marks a new start, giving people a chance to engage with their feelings of grief, to truly accept what has happened. It provides a platform from which new thinking and healing can begin. 

Saying goodbye to a loved one means giving everyone an opportunity to move on. Critical moments in life, even painful ones, need to be acknowledged and processed. A funeral service is a way we do this when we lose someone that is important to us. Regardless of the age of the people involved, this is a significant time. And if it is the first time that death has ever affected someone, it is more important than ever to address this period. A funeral allows people to do this together, bonding them and allowing them to take strength from each other.

Gallagher Funeral Home understands exactly what it means to people who are dealing with this experience. We are prepared to offer our emotional support and professional experience to anyone that needs it at this time. If you live in Stamford, CT, and you are facing the passing of a loved one, come to us. We want to help you.