TW: This blog discusses suicide and loss. Please take care when reading.
September marks National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—a time dedicated to bringing mental health struggles into the light and reminding every person that they are not alone. At Gerst Funeral Homes, we’ve seen how grief can take many forms. But when a loved one loses their life to suicide, the grief is often layered with unanswered questions, guilt, confusion, and deep sorrow. It’s the kind of loss that doesn’t just break your heart, it can leave you feeling like you’re carrying it alone.
If you’ve lost someone to suicide, we want you to know this: your grief is valid, your emotions are real, and healing is possible. There is no right way to grieve, but there are ways to begin facing life again—one breath, one step, one day at a time.
Let Yourself Feel Everything
Grief after suicide often carries a mix of emotions—sadness, anger, guilt, even relief—and sometimes all at once. You may find yourself replaying moments, wondering what you missed, or wishing you could have done more.
These thoughts are human. They do not make you a bad friend, parent, sibling, or partner. They make you someone who is loved deeply and is left trying to make sense of something that may never fully make sense. There is no rulebook for this kind of pain. What matters most is giving yourself permission to feel, without judgement.
Create Space for Mindfulness and Reflection
In the midst of emotional chaos, small moments of stillness can offer a sense of grounding. Mindfulness doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as pausing to breathe, journaling your thoughts, or quietly sitting with your emotions. Ask yourself: What am I feeling right now? What do I need in this moment: rest, movement, connection, or quiet? Can I offer myself the same compassion I’d offer a loved one? Mindfulness won’t erase your grief, but it can help you hold it with gentleness.
Move When You Can, How You Can
When your world feels heavy, even getting out of bed can be a victory. But movement—even small, slow, intentional movement—can help release some of the emotional weight.
Take a walk. Stretch in the morning. Water your plants. Movement isn’t about productivity; it’s about stirring hope back into the body. As we’ve shared in previous reflections, grief can settle in the body as much as in the mind. Giving yourself space to move for even as little as five minutes can shift your perspective, even just a little. When it comes to working through grief, a little can go a long way.
Don’t Grieve In Silence
The loss of a loved one to suicide can feel isolating. You may be afraid others won’t understand—or worse, will avoid the topic altogether. But connection is essential, especially now. Whether it’s talking to a close friend, attending a grief support group, or simply being in the presence of others, you deserve community.
Therapy can be a powerful tool for individuals looking for a safe space to share and discuss their experiences. Therapy can look different depending on your needs— whether that be choosing a traditional talk therapist that specializes in grief, PTSD, or an alternative therapy like EMDR. This is a space where you can focus on what you need, free from outside distractions, giving you intentional time to heal.
There are support groups specifically for suicide loss survivors. In these spaces, people speak your language of loss. There’s comfort in knowing you’re not the only one trying to make sense of it all.
Honor Your Loved One Without Holding the Hurt Alone
Losing someone to suicide doesn’t erase the love you shared. That love remains, and it’s okay to carry it forward in healing ways. Some people find comfort in writing letters to their loved one. Others light candles on birthdays, plant trees, or create small rituals that help them feel connected.
These acts can honor the person you lost, while also honoring your need to heal. Moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting. It means allowing space for both love and loss to exist side by side.
You Are Not Alone
At Gerst Funeral Homes, we believe in walking beside families not just in moments of loss but in the long, winding road of healing that follows. If you’re grieving a suicide loss, we see you. If you’re unsure what you need, we can help connect you with resources or simply offer a listening ear. You don’t have to have the answers. You don’t even have to be okay.
You just have to know that you’re not alone.
If You Need Help, Reach Out
Grief—especially grief after suicide—is not something you have to carry alone. There are people who want to support you.
- Alliance of Hope for Suicide Loss Survivors www.allianceofhope.org
- AFSP’s Survivor Outreach Program www.afsp.org/survivingsuicideloss
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Dial or text 988 24/7. Trained crisis counselors are available anytime, day or night.