Losing a Loved One in Combat

Bakken-Young Funeral and Cremation Services would like to express its gratitude to the brave service men and women who have lost their lives, and we offer our condolences to their families. 

Losing a loved one in combat or military service, whether we are at war or not is an especially difficult loss. There are so many emotions wrapped up in the death, both for the family of the deceased but also for the friends and fellow service men and women and families. If you or a loved one have experienced the loss of a loved one while in the line of duty, here are some helpful ways to mourn and find healing.

Let Yourself Grieve

Whether you are a natural crier or someone who stuffs their feelings inside, the pain of losing a loved one can be extremely overwhelming. It is important to let yourself grieve and let those around you grieve in their own way as well. No two people will grieve in the same way but simply allowing yourself the space to mourn for your loss, is not only okay, it is healthy.

If you tend to be the kind of person who has a hard time talking about your feelings, it may be helpful to be intentional about making sure you process your grief. Consider finding someone you trust and letting them know that you want them to prod you about how you’re doing and feeling. You can also consider meeting with a professional counselor or mentor. Having an unbiased person to vent to can help you get those pent up emotions out and allow you to grieve and heal well. Contact the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs for more information on the free bereavement counseling they offer.

Find a Grief Support Group

There are so many benefits to finding the right grief support group. From feeling the power of belonging to sharing wisdom and building hope; a supportive group can make a huge difference in your journey to healing. You will have opportunities to share your own emotions in a safe environment. You can hear from others who have walked the same path as you and glean from their experiences. You can see people as they heal from their pain and it can give you a reason to hope that someday you might feel better. You’ll have the opportunity to give that same hope to someone else further down the road after their recent loss. Community and support with the right people can be an incredibly beautiful and healing thing. If you’re having trouble finding a grief support group, check out this page on MilitaryOneSource for many resources on grief groups geared towards military service members and family (make sure to click “read more” to see the whole list of resources).

Use Your Experience to Help Others

After you have had time to grieve, it can be extremely helpful to find a place to give back to people who have been in similar situations as yourself. Whether it’s volunteering with Wounded Warriors, donating to your favorite organization that serves military families or giving your time to those who are also hurting from a loss, this can be a really helpful way to use your experience as a way to help others and continue to find healing yourself.

If you have any thoughts on things that have helped you healed after a loss or ways others can help the families of those who have lost a loved one in combat, we would love to hear your feedback. Your wisdom could help another family in ways you can never imagine. Please comment below or on our Facebook page to share your thoughts.

On behalf of Bakken-Young Funeral and Cremation Services thank you to all past and present military servicemen and women, to those who have given their lives in service, and to their family members. We owe you all a great deal and are so thankful for the sacrifice you have given for us, and for our country. You will never be forgotten.