The death of a spouse triggers a variety of feelings. They may include numbness, shock, sorrow, fear, anger and guilt, depending on the circumstances, according to the National Institute on Aging, or NIA. There is no set mourning time, and many people need support from others to get through this difficult period. The NIA advises that a grief support group can be very helpful.
Benefits
Help Guide, a self-help website, explains that participating in a grief support group for loss of a spouse has several benefits. People often isolate themselves when they lose a close loved one. A group requires them to interact with others. They often relate well to other group members because everyone is going through a similar life crisis. A grief support group provides a safe forum to share painful feelings with people who truly understand.
Types
There are two main types of grief support groups for people who have lost a spouse. The first is in-person groups, which meet regularly at locations like community centers, churches and hospitals. Members discuss their feelings and support each other in the grieving process through direct interaction. The second type is online groups in which people interact over the Internet. Some groups meet in real time through online chatting, while others use forums to make and respond to postings at their convenience.
Location
Grieving spouses can find support groups in many different ways. Help Guide reports that hospices, hospitals and funeral homes often have lists of local groups for bereaved people. Clergy members and counselors are also good resources for referrals.
Additions
NIA recommends interacting with friends and family members during the grieving process in addition to participating in grief support group meetings. It often helps to talk to close friends and relatives about the loss and to participate in community activities, join clubs or take classes. Some grieving spouses get a part-time job or rekindle old friendships.
Warning
A grief support group often helps a person come to terms with spousal loss, but sometimes the sadness does not disappear. Help Guide warns it can develop into clinical depression, which includes feelings of hopelessness, impaired functioning, sadness and guilt. Severe cases can include thoughts of suicide. People with these symptoms should talk to a physician or counselor as they may require additional treatment to get through the grief-related depression.
Considerations
NIA explains there are several considerations to handle once a bereaved spouse gets the grief under control. These include putting joint property into the surviving person's name, changing the will and updating insurance and financial records. These things can be difficult to handle in the immediate aftermath of the death, but they usually become more manageable later.
