Rest in peace

If you have lost someone you will know the importance of saying goodbye to that person. There are times when it is not possible and, for this, there are a series of activities that can be done afterwards.

The expression “rest in peace” comes from Latin and began to be engraved on tombs in the mid-8th century with the aim of wishing that the soul of a deceased person would find peace after death. That is to say, with this prayer, in addition to wishing peace to the deceased, those who watched his death would remain somewhat calm thinking that, somehow, he would pass on to a peaceful life in the afterlife.

These types of thoughts and other mourning rituals help to accept the fact that the person in question has lost their life. They provide emotional support by sharing the process with others and help channel pain and other feelings.. In this sense, the thoughts and behaviors that happen after death can make the difference in how grief develops.

Unfortunately, There are losses in which there cannot be a farewell and, therefore, it is necessary to do some kind of ritual after death. In some cases, this farewell can be done individually and independently, but in others it might be advisable to go to a specialist to do it.

The farewell ritual

The farewell rituals that are usually done afterwards to better cope with grief are made up of several phases, after which the person will better accept and integrate into their life the idea that their loved one now rests in peace. These phases are:

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Preparation phase: In this first part of the process, you have to find the right motivation to proceed, since saying goodbye is a difficult and truly moving task. It will awaken intense emotions not only because of the process, but because of the fear of forgetting that comes with facing loss.Reorganization phase: It is the phase in which the grieving process is worked on. It entails a state of sadness and despair, since the person has to detach themselves from the centrality placed on the deceased and continue moving forward. In this phase, exercises are usually carried out aimed at paying a kind of tribute to the deceased, such as writing a letter or creating a memory box. These tasks will work on the feelings that are being experienced and that were had towards the person who rests in peace.Completion phase: This part of the process contains a ceremony, a purification rite, and a reunion rite. With the objects collected in the previous phase, you must celebrate a farewell ceremony that helps organize feelings towards the deceased. After this ceremony, a type of purification is carried out that is convenient either in a bath or in the sea, marking a transition. Finally, a reunion is held with the loved ones you still have around you as a way to celebrate the life that lies ahead.

Other ways to say goodbye

If you don’t have to go through the whole process of saying goodbye to someone and accepting them in an adaptive way, It may be enough to do some small activities to honor that person special that rests in peace. These types of activities are usually recommended to keep the memory alive and feel close to the person. However, it is important to be able to do it without causing enormous discomfort for which you are not prepared.

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Choosing one task or another depends on personal beliefs and tastes, but for everyone it will be a very nice way to pay tribute. Some examples are:

Hang one in some corner of the house photograph of a place significant to the deceasedor a painting that you liked.Celebrate your birthday with other friends and family.Plant your favorite flower or tree of that person and find a special corner. Bring a piece of jewelry or personal accessory from that person. Make a tattoo of something meaningful of that person or the relationship.

Losing someone is a very hard and stressful life event, which is why it is important to be able to say goodbye in a traditional or personal way to the person we have just lost. These wounds must be closed in the most meaningful way possible. and keep a good memory. Surely that person will rest in peace just knowing that they remember them well and beautifully.