Bereavement Support
Bereavement Support - courtesy Sepsis Alliance.
Sepsis Deaths
If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you've experienced someone close to you dying from sepsis. We’d first like to offer our heartfelt condolences to you and those affected. Losing someone to sepsis is devastating. In many cases, the person who died was in good health before they contracted the infection that led to sepsis. No one could see it coming. Anyone can get sepsis.
Grief is Different for Everyone
Common thoughts, feelings and actions
Shock and numbness
Overwhelming pain and sadness
Searching for the person who has died. Where could they be?
Repeatedly thinking about, and replaying what has happened
Wondering what you could have, should have or would have done differently
Guilt about the nature or circumstances of the loss, or the relationship you shared with the person who has died
Loneliness, isolation and hopelessness
Anger towards yourself, others, the person who has died, or the universe in general
Agitation and insomnia, or extreme fatigue and over-sleeping.
There is no prescribed way to grieve, so treat yourself kindly and gently. Try to take one day at a time, and if it will help, find someone you feel safe and comfortable with to talk about how you’re feeling. This could be a friend or family member. It can also be valuable to speak with someone who doesn't know you. Counselling can also be beneficial, as can writing down your thoughts and feelings in the form of journaling. Some useful support services are shown on this page for your reference.
Need to Talk?
1737
Free call or text 1737 anytime day or night to talk/text with a trained counsellor.
Youthline
For advice and support for any young person or anyone supporting a young person call 0800 37 66 33 or free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
Healthline
For free health advice or information anytime call 0800 611 116
NZ Sepsis Trust
We seek to save lives and improve outcomes for survivors of sepsis by educating healthcare professionals, raising public awareness, providing support for those affected and instigating political change. To speak with a Support Nurse, please click here.
Helping Someone Who Is Grieving
Author Joanne Fink wrote a book called When You Lose Someone You Love after she lost her husband. Fink offers five tips for people who aren’t sure how to help someone who has lost a loved one:
1- Realise that you can’t fix this. There isn’t anything you can say or do to bring back the person who died. All you can do is accompany your friend on their grief journey.
2- Don’t worry about finding the right words. Simply saying “I’m so sorry for your loss” and giving a hug can bring great comfort.
3- Create a safe space for your friend to share what’s in their heart. Listen. Don’t judge. Invite your friend to talk about their loss and how it makes them feel, and quietly hand them tissues if they start to cry.
4- Talk about the person who died and don’t be afraid to say their name—it’s music to the ears of their loved one.
5- Remember special dates: Birthdays (both of the person who died and the person you are supporting), anniversaries, and holidays are often grief triggers. Put these dates and the date of death – in your calendar so you can call, text, or send a card. It will make more of a difference than you can possibly imagine.”
We all know that death is a part of life. Losing someone hurts and the pain never leaves completely. It lessens, and thoughts of our loved ones start to bring more smiles than tears. But how long that journey takes depends on each individual and the support they receive. Don’t be afraid to reach out and offer your support. The biggest fear that many people have after a death is that their loved one will be forgotten.
“If you are grieving, keep them alive in your mind. Honour their memory any way that helps you cope.”
Our Details
Sepsis Trust NZ
PO Box No 565
Waikato Mail Centre
Hamilton 3240
Charity No. CC56078
Helpful Links
