4. Sarah’s Blog

At Rosedale Funeral Home, we understand that grief is a deeply personal journey, shaped by many different factors. Sarah’s blog is where the many aspects of bereavement are explored —offering insights into how loss can affect us. From practical guidance and reflections on coping with grief, to stories and perspectives that may bring comfort, Sarah’s Blog, and our bereavement support groups in Norfolk and Suffolk aim to support you every step of the way.

“As a family, this year has brought us many changes. Amongst other things, our eldest son has now flown the nest and the younger, having finished schooling, is now moving onto the next phase in his life. Whilst it is a cause for celebration to watch your children grow in independence and begin to live their own lives, as a mum it can also be tinged with some sadness. Major life changes are seldom straightforward and are often accompanied by many conflicting emotions.

‘Midlife’ (I’m giving away my age now!) can feel like a crossroads as you realise that a significant part of your life is over and a different, uncertain chapter is beginning.

Life is full of change, sometimes exciting and self-instigated. Other changes such as bereavement can be shocking, unwelcome and out of our control.

Perhaps 2025 has brought you a major life change – house move, retirement, changing job, moving house or a bereavement?

As we know, bereavement is a unique experience and different for everyone. In addition, some responses to grief can be complicated. Perhaps the relationship we shared with the person who has died was difficult. We may not have been on speaking terms with them. We grieve for what the relationship might have been but now never will be. We may have regrets or unresolved issues that can lead to prolonged grief. One-to-one counselling can be helpful to deeply explore all the other issues involved.

Marriages and relationships within families are not always filled with love and harmony – this is reality.

For those whose loved one has died from dementia or a similar condition, they may have already started the grief process when they ‘lost‘ the person they knew, the first time. This can feel like a double bereavement.

If the death involved long, painful suffering, some people can feel relief when it is finally over and their loved one is released. This can be accompanied by feelings of guilt.

A bereavement can also change relationships within families or friendship groups. There may be disagreements about funerals, wills and what to do with possessions. Deciding on the final resting place of a loved one’s ashes may also cause fall-outs. At such a difficult time, emotions are raw and I have seen many families torn apart because of a bereavement.

We begin to feel less alone when we meet with others who are bereaved and talk through the issues that many people face.
If you’ve had a bereavement this year (or at any time in the past) and would like to talk to others in a similar position call and one of Rosedale’s branches to reserve a free place on our next bereavement group.”

Rosedale’s Bereavement Support Groups are safe, confidential and local to Norfolk and Suffolk.

Rosedale’s bereavement support groups provide a safe, trusted place to talk about bereavement and  be listened to. Call  01379 640 810  to reserve your free place on the next group.