loss of a husband

After sudden death of a husband; finding meaning in life

Dear Dr. Neimeyer, Six months ago my partner of 47 years died suddenly. We have no children and have always been very close and spent a lot of time together. This would have been our first real year of retirement together and we were looking forward to growing old together, just enjoying our free time and everyday things.  Now he’s gone I can […]

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Recent Reader Comments on Dr. Neimeyer’s columns on the loss of a husband

“My wonderful husband of 55 years on August 19 died with cardiac arrest this past June. I am so heartbroken. I have many, many cards and Mass cards with so many words of love for him and me and they are most comforting. However, I am lost. My children are wonderful and for the first

Recent Reader Comments on Dr. Neimeyer’s columns on the loss of a husband Read More »

Loss of Financial Security…

Editor’s Note: Loss of Financial Security is a repost we thought would be very relevant in these troubled times. Dear Dr. Neimeyer, My husband died two years ago. I also lost my home of more than a quarter century. and had to file for bankruptcy due to his passing. I have no idea how to get over

Loss of Financial Security… Read More »

Mom has turned bedroom into a shrine to my departed father…

Dear Dr. Neimeyer, My question is regarding my mother.   We lost my father very unexpectedly this past summer, and she is having a very hard time with his loss, as we all are.  My question is this: Is it good for her to have her bedroom looking like a shrine to him, so that whenever

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I am losing the final piece of him Ask Dr. Neimeyer 4.25.22

Dear Dr. Neimeyer, My husband passed away nearly a dozen years ago and I have been receiving his Social Security Benefits since that time. On my birthday next Spring I will be taking my own Social Security.  My question is:  Why do I feel so apprehensive about taking mine and giving up my husband’s?  This is the

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Three suggestions for dealing with insensitive consolations

Dear Dr. Neimeyer, My husband has been gone less than a year, and I can’t believe the stupid things people say to me, trying to make me “feel better.”  “Time heals all wounds–you just need to stay busy,” “You’ve got to look on the bright side; at least you had him all these years,” and

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After sudden death of a husband, finding meaning in life: Responses to a Recent Post

Here are some comments posted in response to a recent Ask Dr. Neimeyer post about the sudden death of a husband [some details were changed for anonymity}. I lost my husband this December. So it has been over a month. I cannot sleep or eat. I have to lay on the couch and cannot stand

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Complicated and consuming grief of a friend

Dear Dr. Neimeyer I have read and appreciate your work about meaning reconstruction in loss. I have a friend whose grief is so complicated and consuming that she can’t find life for herself (her husband died from cancer about six years ago) and she can’t seem to move forward at all. Here is an excerpt

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After sudden death of a husband; finding meaning in life 12.13.21

Dear Dr. Neimeyer, Six months ago my partner of 47 years died suddenly. We have no children and have always been very close and spent a lot of time together. This would have been our first real year of retirement together and we were looking forward to growing old together, just enjoying our free time and everyday things.  Now he’s gone I can

After sudden death of a husband; finding meaning in life 12.13.21 Read More »

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