"Music speaks to my soul in a way words cannot. Music speaks of my pain, expresses my joy,
and shares my memories. Through music the emotions of grief are shared in beautiful rhythms and soothing words" - Tanya Lord
As we walk through grief, we may often find ourselves feeling stuck or trapped in our emotions. One way to help navigate and continue on the path is to find different ways of coping and understanding our grief. Music can offer an important avenue for healing. Here are a few ways music can help:
1. Music can help us to honour our loved ones. Some people may attend funerals or
celebrations of life for their loved ones. Music is often found in these settings and is often
chosen intentionally as a way of honouring the individual by collectively listening to the
music with those who are showing respect and remembrance to our loved one.
2. Music can bring up important memories of our loved ones. Whether you are choosing a
song, or it happens to come on the radio, it might bring up reminders of times we spent
with our loved ones. Hearing these songs might transport you back in time to important
memories that can allow for reflection, which can aid in your grief.
3. Music can offer creativity to our grieving process. If you are someone who enjoys playing
an instrument or song writing, it may be helpful to find the strength to pick up your
instrument or a pen again. Creating music can give us an opportunity to make sense of
our grief.
4. Music can provide us opportunities to capture our grief within the confines of a three
minute song. When we listen to a song, we know that there is always a start, a middle,
and an end. This can be powerful because we it provides us a set time to feel the
emotions that a song might bring up. We know that the song will eventually end, and that
we are allowed to move through our grief as we listen to the song. We can always set
the song on repeat if we need a little more time.
5. Music reminds us of the common humanity of grief. As humans, we will all have times of
grieving. Many musicians have found ways of expressing their grieving experience
through their music. When we listen to their songs, we may find a new way of
understanding our grief by connecting with the words the musician has used to express
their own grief. This can help us to feel less alone.
Take some time to reflect on how music may help you in your grief journey. You may even want to create a special playlist to support your process or connect with streaming services that can share playlists created by other people walking similar paths. By adding new coping strategies, you can take important steps in healing while always remembering your loved ones.
Submitted by: Walking Through Grief Society
Funded by FCSS; City of Lloydminster, Towns of Vermilion and Wainwright, Villages of Kitscoty and Marwayne and County of Vermilion River.
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