Pets as Allies in Grief

By: Matthew Funeral Home
Wednesday, March 15, 2023

During periods of immense grief, it can be important to surround yourself with loved ones. While this often means friends and family, our pets can also provide great comfort during our hardest times. Pets can be helpful companions during the grieving process. They offer comfort, companionship, and support while you cope with loss. Whether you are a cat person or a dog person, your pet can be there for you while you are in mourning.

Pets and Combatting Loneliness

One of the most common reasons people get pets is because they are a companion. Having others around can be helpful for combatting feelings of loneliness, whether they are an animal or people. Having a pet sit with you while you are watching tv or laying in bed can do a lot for combatting loneliness.

Pets and Your Health

Studies have proven the effectiveness of pets on your health. Having pets around can actually benefit both your physical and mental health, overall. Petting an animal can increase serotonin and dopamine levels. This serves to combat stress, depressive feelings, and anxiety. Playing with pets can also lower blood pressure.

Morning Motivations

When dealing with grief, it can be difficult to get out of bed in the morning. Often, pets can motivate you to get up and do things. Whether they need to be walked or fed, pets can push you to get up on days when your grief hits hardest. 

Pets and Expressing Emotions

While not everyone is comfortable with seeking professional help for their grief, it can still be good to talk things out. Just talking out your emotions to your dog or cat can help. Even if they don’t understand, simply putting your emotions into words can be cathartic.
The author of this post is not a professional therapist or counselor. For assistance in finding a grief counselor that is right for you, there are several resources out there. For our Grief Resource Center, written by Dr. Bill Webster, click here
For over 50 years, Matthew Funeral Home has been serving the Staten Island community. We can help with almost every aspect of your loved one’s memorial service. Our family is here to serve yours, every step of the way.

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Tips for Pre-Planning Your Funeral

Pre-planning your funeral may seem strange, but it is a practice that can help you and your family in the future. People often see pre-planning a funeral as morbid, similar to how many people feel ...

Grief and Shorter Days

Grief and the associated feelings of depression can be a difficult burden to bear at times. Many studies have shown that sunlight and bright days can improve moods associated with grief and depress...

Funeral Flowers for Different Faiths

Faith and culture play a large role in the proper etiquette of a funeral service, and this also applies to the types of arrangements you should consider when sending flowers. Certain flowers and ar...

Could AI be a Tool For Grieving Families in the Future?

There is a lot of buzz around AI these days. And while the tools of artificial intelligence are still in their infancy, there is a lot of talk about its use in a variety of industries. AI could pot...

Reading and Grief

A book is a powerful tool. A good book can transport you to another world, or help you dive deep into your emotions. The right book can provide new ideas and unique perspectives. Reading books can ...

If You Pass Away Without a Will

If you are to die without taking the time to create a Will, there are procedures in place to handle your estate. Without a Will, your entire estate and all of your assets will enter intestacy. Inte...

Birthdays of Deceased Loved Ones

Birthdays are often a cause for celebration. But after the loss of a loved one, they can be a bittersweet reminder. Birthdays of the deceased don’t have to be somber days. Rather, they can be celeb...

Losing a Loved One to Drug Overdose

Drug overdose is a major cause of death in America, with over 100,000 deaths annually, according to the CDC. When you lose a loved one to an overdose, there can be a lot of mixed feelings surroundi...

Religious Trauma and Funeral Services

When grieving the loss of a loved one, religious services are often a part of the funerary process. While faith is not a requirement for grieving, faith-based services can often provide closure for...

The Importance of Close Friends After a Loss

It is easy to feel lost and alone after the loss of a loved one. Thankfully, you aren’t truly alone. Your friends are there to love and support you. Sometimes, all you have to do is reach out. Fri...