Bereavement Support HK

A Heartfelt Hello

Welcome to Bereavement Support HK, a compassionate service provided by The WEMP Foundation. We offer a space for those navigating the profound pain of losing a loved one. As the first organisation in Hong Kong to provide an operator-assisted helpline for bereavement, we are dedicated to offering compassionate support to those who need it.

We recognise that bereavement extends beyond the loss of life; it also encompasses the emotions experienced while preparing to say goodbye. Regardless of where you are in your journey, whether you’re grieving the loss of a loved one, helping a child cope with heartache, or caring for someone struggling with loss, you don’t have to face this alone. Bereavement Support HK provides solace, along with thoughtful resources and tools to help you navigate this challenging time. We are here to walk beside you.

Given the complexity of bereavement, it deserves to be approached with care, understanding, and empathy. This is why we established Bereavement Support HK to share what we’ve learned and to bring comfort to others.

Grief is not merely a single emotion, it is a journey that includes sorrow, confusion, and healing. This journey is unique to each individual and is influenced by cultural, social, and personal factors. Grief can also extend beyond the individual, affecting family and friends.

What Does Grief Feel Like?

There is no way to predict how you might respond to the death or impending loss of a loved one. It may seem as if your entire world has changed in an instant, leaving your feeling as though your life has ended. 

Many of us are familiar with the anguish that accompanies the loss of a loved one and the intense emotional stress it brings. For a child, this experience can be even more overwhelming. It’s essential to recognise that children struggle to express or process their pain fully. Like adults, a child’s grief can manifest in ways beyond emotional distress, including physical symptoms like fatigue, nausea, changes in appetite, or insomnia. The heartache can even create a tightness in their chest. 

Moreover, grief can also weaken the immune system, making children more susceptible to illness. Caring for a child’s physical health during this time is just as vital as supporting their emotional well-being.

Coping with Loss

Coping with grief is a deeply personal journey, there is no one-size-fits-all approach.  Each individual’s path is unique, and there is no right or wrong way to grieve.  

To nurture your mental well-being, it is essential to confront your grief and process your loss. This allows you to eventually find moments of peace, resilience, and hope beyond the heartache. 

For children, this process is equally important. Creating a supportive environment encourages them to express their feelings and understand their emotions, fostering their mental and emotional recovery. 

Stages of Grief

While everyone experiences grief differently, knowing what to expect can provide a sense of direction as you navigate this journey. 

Understanding the stages of grief can offer reassurance during the healing process. Remember that each stage may unfold differently for you. Not everyone will experience every stage, and they can occur in any order.

The journey through grief is non-linear. You may find yourself revisiting these five stages repeatedly, and feeling unstable or unbalanced is a normal part of this process. 

While you may never fully return to how things were before, over time, you will find the strength to move forward. With each wave of grief, you will gradually learn to navigate your new reality.

Stage 1

DENIAL

Stage 1

DENIAL

Stage 1

  • Intense shock and disbelief may accompany the loss.
  • You might feel numb and question how to move forward.
  • As reality sets in, your fierce denial may gradually soften.

Stage 2

Anger

Stage 2

Anger

Stage 2

  • Uncontrollable anger may arise, directed at family, friends, doctors, or even a high power.
  • Irritability, impatience, and short temperedness can become common.
  • While you may have withdrawn in the denial stage, anger can help you reconnect with the world.
  • Remember, this anger reflects the intensity of your love.

Stage 3

BARGAINING

Stage 3

BARGAINING

Stage 3

  • Before the loss, you may have felt willing to do anything to save your loved one.
  • After the loss, thoughts of sacrifices you’d make to return to how life was may surface.
  • You might find yourself internally negotiating with “what if” or “if only.”
  • Guilt can emerge as you reflect on things you believe you could have done differently.

Stage 4

DEPRESSION

Stage 4

DEPRESSION

Stage 4

  • The full weight of the loss finally may settle into your reality, bringing feelings of despair and hopelessness.
  • This depression is a natural response, not a sign of mental illness.
  • You may feel enveloped in a fog of intense sadness and question the purpose of moving forward.
  • Recognising that your loved one isn’t coming back is a necessary step in the grieving process.

Stage 5

ACCEPTANCE

Stage 5

ACCEPTANCE

Stage 5

  • Acceptance doesn’t mean “all right” with what has happened. Many never fully feel okay about losing a loved one.
  • In this stage, however, you begin to acknowledge your new reality, and the pain gradually eases.
  • Acceptance involves realising that your loved one is no longer physically present and learning to live again.
  • You carry the memories of your loved one as you start to reconnect with friends or form new relationships.

Get Help

If you are navigating your own grief or seeking support for someone else, including a child, reach out to our Helpline 3870 7575. We’re here to guide you through the healing process.

If you believe grief counselling could benefit you, please visit our counselling page, we will assist to connect you with a compassionate Grief Companion who can support you during this challenging time.

Thoughtful Reflection, Positive Healing

Finding meaning is essential in life, especially when we experience the loss of a loved one. Through reflecting and learning, we can make sense of loss and continue to grow. 

Taking time to contemplate your grief can help you embrace your sorrows and find a path forward:

  • What are my needs during this time of grief?
  • How can I fulfil those needs?
  • How can I maintain a continuous bond with my deceased loved ones
  • How can I transform my experience of loss into a journey of healing and renewed purpose?