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Do you have trouble expressing how you feel about the news of someone\u2019s death? Have you ever had trouble expressing grief during or after a funeral? If this sounds familiar then you could be experiencing disenfranchised grief.

In its most basic form, disenfranchised grief is a type of mourning that involves keeping your emotions bottled up. Does this describe how you or someone you know in the Greater Vancouver area expresses grief and related emotions?

If you\u2019d like to know more about trouble expressing grief, then listen to this episode of Forever in their Hearts, where host Erik Reynolds interviews Valerie Martell, Director of Operations for Martin Brothers Funeral Services in Vancouver, about grief that people feel they can\u2019t express.

Not expressing your grief leads to other problems. Grief counselor Mary McCambridge, in an issue of O, the Oprah Magazine* says that people with disenfranchised grief tend to lack a proper support system, for example. This interview offers solutions to promote healthy grieving.

When Disenfranchised Grief Happens

The episode kicks off with Valerie explaining the meaning behind the term disenfranchised grief. She also discusses situations that would cause someone to mourn this way. Mourning and the emotions that go with it can be the result of a wide range of situations.

If this sounds familiar, and you\u2019ve bottled up grief in the past, then it is time to learn how to deal with those emotions in a healthy way.

How to Grieve in Healthy Ways

Next Valerie discusses the different reasons why people mourn, and how they might express grief-related emotions. During the interview she answers these and other questions:

- Are some types of grief less easily recognizable?
- What are some types of rituals to help with my grief?
- How can I prepare rituals to make them effective?

Now ask yourself these two questions: Can others tell when you are grieving? Do you have trouble expressing grief? If you answered no to either or both of these questions, then it may be time to seek help from a funeral director or other professional.

Why Grief Outlasts the Funeral Service

Then Valerie segues into the topic of why grief and other emotions related to mourning outlast the funeral service. Grief is different for everyone, but some endure longer periods of it.

Valerie goes on to talk about the things you can do after a funeral if you feel that you lack some kind of support system to help you deal with these types of emotions.

Funeral directors have so much experience helping people deal with grief. What\u2019s keeping you from discussing your trouble expressing grief with a funeral director in Vancouver?

The episode wraps up with Valerie sharing some final thoughts on the topic, based on her personal experiences and knowledge of the topic.

Are You Ready to Express Grief in Healthy Ways?

Is bottling up your grief starting to affect other areas of life? Do you want to know how to mourn in healthy ways? Listen to the entire podcast now. Then share your questions or comments about disenfranchised grief below, where we can discuss them together.

Martin Brothers Funeral Services has more than 100 years of experience in providing thoughtful, dedicated services to families dealing with loss. If you are ready to take care of funeral pre-arrangements, have additional questions about their services, or are dealing with a loss, please contact them at their Vancouver office.

Martin Brothers Funeral Services

Vancouver: Funeral Services Centre
3398 Dunbar Street
Vancouver, BC Canada V6S 2C1

Telephone Number: 778.330.7799
Toll Free Number: 1.800.382.2901
Fax Number: 778.330.7633

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MartinBrothersFuneralChapelsBcLtd
Twitter: https://twitter.com/martinbrothers1

*http://www.oprah.com/health/Healthy-Ways-to-Mourn-Disenfranchised-Grief