Don't worry, you're not alone; ADVERTISING FEATURE COPING WITH BEREAVEMENT.

LOSING someone close to you will always make for a painful period of anybody''s life.

Often when bereaved we are swept up in a tide of practicalities, such as registering the death and organising the funeral, which can be daunting, especially if you haven''t been in this situation before.

But this can be something to concentrate upon, something to focus on, rather than allow the grieving process to begin.

It is often when you are no longer surrounded by family and friends that the reality of your loss hits home for the first time.

Grief is a personal thing and everyone reacts differently to bereavement, though there is a recognised broad pattern of grief which most people go through after the loss of someone close.

Initially you may simply feel numb.

It is believed this is a coping mechanism to enable you to get through sorting out practical arrangements and family pressures.

This feeling can be replaced by a deep yearning for the person who has died.

It is often difficult to concentrate or to sleep.

It is quite common to feel guilty, dwelling on arguments you may have had or regretting the things you didn''t say.

During this period of bereavement you may feel you are on a rollercoaster of emotions, feeling weepy one minute, angry the next. You shouldn''t try and fight these feelings - it is all part of the grieving process and important to get these emotions out in the open.

Following a bereavement, many people find they need some extra love and support from relatives and friends. You need them to listen to you, and to offer practical help with everyday tasks that you may find it difficult to focus on.

If you don''t have anyone to turn to, don''t suffer in silence.

There are lots of counselling and support organisations which can offer a helping hand if you are finding it hard to cope.

Grief counsellors, psychiatrists and other specialists are available to help you cope with your loss, along with support groups and special helplines. Sometimes it is easier to talk to someone who isn''t close to you or emotionally involved.

There is no way of knowing how long the grieving process will take, as everyone''s circumstances are different.

While you're grieving, it's hard to believe that you'll ever enjoy life again, but, in time, the grieving will ease and, gradually, life will become more bearable and even pleasurable again.

You may still have bad days but you will eventually begin to feel much more positive about life in general - and you will be able to see light at the end of the tunnel.

CAPTION(S):

Bereavement is something that affects most of us at one time or another