Grief After Suicide
If you are having thoughts of suicide or are in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day. If this is a medical emergency, call 911.
Grief after a suicide loss often includes guilt, anger, unanswered questions, and a sense of stigma that other kinds of grief do not carry in the same way. These reactions are common and do not mean something is wrong with how a person is grieving. Bartolomeo & Perotto Funeral Home offers grief support and aftercare to Rochester-area families navigating a suicide loss. Call (585) 720-6000for guidance finding additional support.
A Different Kind of Grief
Grief after a suicide loss often includes reactions that are less common after other kinds of death: guilt, replaying events and searching for missed warning signs, anger, and a sense of stigma. These reactions are a normal part of this specific kind of grief.
You Are Not Alone in This
Suicide loss is more common than many people realize, and support specifically for suicide loss survivors exists because this grief carries its own particular challenges. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention maintains directories of support groups for this kind of loss.
Talking with Children About This Loss
Age-appropriate honesty, ideally with guidance from a grief counselor experienced in suicide loss, is generally recommended over euphemisms or vague explanations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why do I feel guilty after a suicide loss, even when it wasn't my fault?
Guilt and searching for warning signs are extremely common after a suicide loss, even when nothing could have been done differently.
Is it normal to feel angry at the person who died?
Yes. Anger is a common and normal reaction to suicide loss.
How do I talk to children about a death by suicide?
Age-appropriate honesty is generally recommended, ideally with guidance from a grief counselor experienced in suicide loss.
Where can I find a suicide loss support group in the Rochester area?
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention maintains a directory of support groups; the firm can help connect families too.