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Conclusion
As a family member of someone in service, your grief will have unique aspects and challenges. It will be impacted by who this person was in your life, how they died and where, how you learned of their death, and the response of family, friends, the media, and your service organization.
Everyone grieves differently, and there are no timelines for grief. Paying attention to and acknowledging your grief, talking about it with people you know to be supportive in your life, taking care of your physical health, and being kind and patient to yourself can all help. Talk with others who have “been there” and consider seeking professional help for yourself and your family. You will never forget this person. We don’t “get over” grief, but it does change over time, and your life will continue to grow around it.
Additional Resources
Many Veterans and families interviewed for this resource found these two books written about Afghanistan helpful in their grief. The stories told resonated with them.
- Fifteen Days: Stories of Bravery, Friendship, Life and Death from Inside the New Canadian Army by Christie Blanchford
- Contact Charlie: The Canadian Army, the Taliban, and the Battle for Afghanistan by Chris Wattie