For those with a funny bone: Nobody gets out alive!
Laughter is a great stress reliever. Humans are funny. Even in the midst of heartbreak, moments of humour may arise. And these moments are precious.
I am collecting a few resources that may give you a giggle, even through your tears. Laughing hard ensures that you are breathing deeply. In death, laughter is allowed! In this short article, the author encourages us to laugh, often. She then gives us examples of the laughter that helped her family cope and heal during the time of her Dad's death. What wonderful memories! Order of the Good Death - Caitlyn Doughty "is a mortician, activist, and funeral industry rabble-rouser". In 2011, she founded the death acceptance collective, The Order of the Good Death which has spawned the death positive movement." It's Not the Nail! - a quick video that will improve your listening skills How to avoid saying death or dying - a surprisingly extensive collection of euphemisms! Patch Adams video - more euphemisms (Robin Williams is much funnier!) Dead parrot sketch - from the brilliant minds of Monty Python We are the fire department, not the fire - an animated palliative care public service announcement How I Made Friends With Reality - With her signature wit and wisdom, Emily Levine meets her ultimate challenge as a comedian/philosopher: she makes dying funny. In this personal talk, she takes us on her journey to make friends with reality -- and peace with death. Life is an enormous gift, Levine says: "You enrich it as best you can, and then you give it back." And for all the research nerds out there, Psychology Today states in the article Thinking about Death and Pain Makes People Funnier that not only is humour is a good coping mechanism, but also that death anxiety can actually boost humour creation. |
I would love to know what helped you cope with your tension and sadness so contact me with your suggestions.