Coping with Grief This Spring | Helpful Tips & Advice from East of England Co-op Funeral Services
How Nature Can Support You When Grieving in Spring
As winter melts away and spring emerges, the changing season can awaken a mix of emotions for anyone experiencing grief. Bereavement support, self-care and connection are just as important at this time of year as any other, but nature can be a wonderful healing companion.
At East of England Co-op Funeral Services, we’ve supported families across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex through life’s hardest moments – find your local branch.
Spring’s longer days, warmer weather, and gardens and woodlands bursting with new life can offer gentle reminders that life does continue even after a devastating loss.
At East of England Co-op Funeral Services, we have supported families across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex through life’s hardest moments.
We hope that by shining some sunlight on grief support and the small steps you can take, we can help you to find moments of comfort, nurture your wellbeing, and gently move forward through the seasons and your grief journey.
Planting Flowers to Support Healing After Loss
Spending time outdoors, breathing in fresh air, watching buds unfurl, and listening to birdsong can help to calm the mind, ground emotions, and provide a soothing sense of connection to the rhythms of life.
By immersing yourself in the sights, sounds, scents and textures of spring and noticing nature’s subtle changes, you can create quiet, restorative moments that softly remind you that life continues alongside the cherished memories of your loved one.
Experiencing grief can be a deeply challenging and often isolating journey. Yet spending moments outdoors and engaging in simple activities like walking or gardening can help you through this difficult time.
For more guidance on coping with loss, explore our bereavement support resources.
Mindful Woodland Walks for Bereavement Support
As spring approaches, why not plant some flowers in your garden, if you have one, or scatter seeds in a sunny window box?
You could choose blooms that are symbolic or hold personal meaning – maybe they were a loved one’s favourite bouquet – or their stunning colours simply brighten your day.
Daffodils signify new beginnings and hope, tulips represent love and comfort, and hyacinths are known for their uplifting fragrance and association with peace.
Whether it’s crocuses, cherry blossoms, primroses, lilacs or snowdrops, the delicate beauty of nature in spring can provide comfort and help create peaceful moments of reflection as you navigate your loss.
You can also transform petals into heartfelt keepsakes, such as pressed flower frames, as a touching way to remember the person you have lost.
Mindful Woodland Walks: Gentle Ways to Heal After Bereavement
Woods and forests are serene places that are known for their positive impact on emotions. A raft of research has shown that spending time surrounded by trees significantly boosts mental health and overall wellbeing.
Birds singing, leaves scrunching under your feet, trees rustling in the breeze, and bluebells cascading over forest floors with their vibrant hues both stimulate and relax the senses at the same time, providing a sensory-rich tapestry for reflection and healing.
Whether you fancy a slow, winding walk or prefer to sit on a bench – listening, contemplating and meditating – trees can help you feel grounded, connected and re-energised.
Sometimes you might want to be on your own to embrace a mindful moment, while at other times you may prefer the company and support of a friend.
Gentle Spring Cleaning for Emotional Wellbeing
A cluttered home may reflect a heavy heart, and creating some order can bring calm to both space and mind. A light spring clean or quick tidy-up may help to release tension and restore a sense of control and achievement.
Knowing that your belongings will go to someone who needs them can also bring a comforting sense of giving back and connection to your community.
If you’re coping with grief in spring, allow yourself to amble through this season of change at your own pace. Whether it’s a solitary walk among the trees, the simple act of planting flowers, sharing your thoughts with others, or creating calm within your home, each small step can nurture healing in its own special way.
Click here for our downloadable guide to help you cope with loss this spring.
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