Happiness After Loss

Finding Joy Again: Steps Toward Rediscovering Happiness After Loss

Free Grief Support from Bakken-Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services

Grief is a natural response to loss—but so is healing.

When someone we love passes away, it can feel as though joy has vanished. Simple pleasures lose their meaning, and even day-to-day tasks can feel overwhelming. But with time, compassion, and the right support, happiness can reemerge—often in new, more meaningful ways.

At Bakken-Young Funeral and Cremation Services, we’re here to walk beside you through this journey. Through our free grief support program, we help individuals and families rediscover purpose and joy, one step at a time.

Step 1: Acknowledge Your Emotions

Grieving is personal, and no two people experience it the same way. Allow yourself to feel without judgment—whether that’s sadness, anger, confusion, or even moments of relief. Emotions are not setbacks; they’re part of the healing process. Talking to a counselor or sharing your story in a group setting can offer needed release and clarity.

Step 2: Redefine Joy

After a loss, joy may show up differently. It might be found in quiet moments: a walk outside, a favorite song, a memory that makes you smile. Redefining joy doesn’t mean forgetting your loved one—it means allowing yourself to feel alive again, at your own pace.

Step 3: Honor Through Rituals

Simple acts of remembrance can be deeply healing. Light a candle, write letters to your loved one, or mark special anniversaries with intention. These small gestures keep their memory alive and help give shape to your grief.

Step 4: Find Strength in Support

You don’t have to go through this alone. Connecting with others—family, friends, counselors, or support groups—can ease the weight of sorrow. Our free grief support services are open to all and designed to offer a safe, understanding space to share and heal.

Step 5: Be Gentle With Yourself

Grief is not linear. Some days may feel brighter than others. That’s normal. Celebrate small victories—moments of peace, laughter, or rest. Healing isn’t about forgetting. It’s about learning to carry the loss while still moving forward.

Step 6: Embrace New Purpose

Over time, many discover purpose in unexpected places: through community, creative expression, helping others, or simply living more mindfully. Consider exploring activities that bring you meaning—it could be the beginning of a new, fulfilling chapter.

You Are Not Alone. We’re Here for You.

Our team at Bakken-Young Funeral and Cremation Services is honored to offer complimentary grief support services to anyone who needs them—whether you’ve recently lost someone or are still navigating the path of healing months or years later.

📞 Contact us today at our two locations: New Richmond at (715) 243-5252  or River Falls at (715) 425-8788.

🌐 Visit our grief support webpage to learn more and register for support groups, educational grief webinars, or further counseling resources.

Healing is possible—and so is joy. Let us walk with you as you find your way back to both.

Bakken-Young Funeral Home & Cremation Services offers free grief support, pre-planning arrangements, and more catered to individuals’ needs and wishes.