• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
mendelson-logo

Mendelson Law Firm

Memphis TN Estate Planning & Creditors Rights Attorneys

Call Now (901) 763-2500
(866) 997-6325
Fax (901) 763-2525

Consumer Collection Matters Contact Portal
Make Payment

  • HOME
  • WHO WE ARE
    • Attorney and Staff Profiles
    • About Our Firm
  • HOW WE HELP
    • Commercial Collections & Subrogation
    • Consumer Collections & Collections Payment Portal
    • Estate Planning Services
      • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
      • Estate Planning
      • Legacy Planning
      • LGBTQ Estate Planning
      • Minor Children and Young Adult Planning
      • Pet Planning
      • Remarriage and Blended Families Protection
      • Wills and Trusts
    • Elder Law Services
      • Elder Law and Medicaid
      • Incapacity Planning and Caregiver Support
      • Trust Administration and Probate
    • Business and Financial Planning
      • Business Planning & Litigation
      • Family-Owned Businesses
      • Financial Planning Assistance
      • IRA and Retirement Planning
  • RESOURCES
    • Elder Law Reports
    • Estate Planning and Resources
      • Estate Planning Checkup
      • Estate Planning Definitions
      • Estate Planning Reports
      • Incapacity Planning Definitions
      • Is Your Estate Plan Outdated?
      • Top 10 Estate and Legacy Planning Techniques
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Estate Planning Frequently Asked Questions
      • Incapacity Planning Frequently Asked Questions
      • Legacy Wealth Planning Frequently Asked Questions
      • Trust Administration and Probate Frequently Asked Questions
    • LGBTQ Resources
    • Powers of Attorney, Health Care, and Emergency Documents
    • Pre-Consultation Form
    • Special Needs Resources
    • Trust Administration and Probate Resources
      • Bereavement Resources
      • How To Know If You Need Extra Help With Your Grieving
      • Loss Of A Loved One
      • The Mourner’s Bill Of Rights
      • Things You Need To Do When A Loved One Passes Away With A Trust
      • Trust Administration and Probate Definitions
      • Things You Need To Do When A Loved One Passes Away With A Will
  • ON-DEMAND WEBINAR
  • REVIEWS
    • Estate Planning Review
    • Collections Review
    • Other Legal Matters
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT US
    • Collections
      • Contact Us
    • File a Complaint
    • Other Legal Matters

The Mourner’s Bill of Rights

By Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D.

  1. You have the right to experience your own unique grief. No one else will grieve in exactly the same way you do. So, when you turn to others for help, don’t allow them to tell you what you should or should not be feeling.
  2. You have the right to talk about your grief. Talking about your grief will help you heal. Seek out others who will allow you to talk as much as you want, as often as you want about your grief.
  3. You have the right to feel a multitude of emotions. Confusion, disorientation, fear, guilt, and relief are just a few of the emotions you might feel as part of your grief journey. Others may try to tell you that feeling angry, for example, is wrong. Don’t take these judgmental responses to heart. Instead, find listeners who will accept your feelings without condition.
  4. You have the right to be tolerant of your physical and emotional limits. Your feelings of loss and sadness will probably leave you feeling fatigued. Respect what your body and mind are telling you. Get daily rest. Eat balanced meals. And don’t allow others to push you into doing things you don’t feel ready to do.
  5. You have the right to experience grief ”attacks.” Sometimes, out of nowhere, a powerful surge of grief may overcome you. This can be frightening, but it is normal and natural. Find someone who understands and will let you talk it out.
  6. You have the right to make use of ritual. The funeral ritual does more than acknowledge the death of someone. It helps provide you with the support of caring people. More important, the funeral is a way for you to mourn. If others tell you that rituals such as these are silly or unnecessary, don’t listen.
  7. You have the right to embrace your spirituality. If faith is a part of your life, express it in ways that seem appropriate to you. Allow yourself to be around people who understand and support your religious beliefs. If you feel angry at God, find someone to talk with who won’t be critical of your feelings of hurt and abandonment.
  8. You have the right to search for meaning. You may find yourself asking, “Why did she or he die? Why this way? Why now?” Some of your questions may have answers, but some may not. And watch out for the clichéd responses some people may give you. Comments like, “It was God’s will” or “Think of what you have to be thankful for” are not helpful and you do not have to accept them.
  9. You have the right to treasure your memories. Memories are one of the best legacies that exist after the death of someone loved. You will always remember. Instead of ignoring your memories, find others with whom you can share them.
  10. You have the right to move toward your grief and heal. Reconciling your grief will not happen quickly. Remember, grief is a process, not an event. Be patient and tolerant with yourself and avoid people who are impatient and intolerant with you. Neither you nor those around you must forget that the death of someone loved changes your life forever.

Primary Sidebar

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-NEWSLETTER

WHERE WE ARE

MENDELSON LAW FIRM
799 Estate Place
Memphis, Tennessee 38120
Phone: (901) 763-2500
Fax: (901) 763-2525

Toll-Free: (866) 997-6325

OFFICE HOURS

Monday8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

MAP/LOCATION

map

Footer

footer-logo

Mendelson Law Firm is a debt collector. This is an attempt to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT

THIS IS AN ADVERTISMENT. Our firm reviews and updates this site periodically. However, there may be times when the information on our site is not current. The information provided on this site for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. If you wish to retain our firm to seek legal advice or representing you must enter into a client relationship by both parties entering into a written agreement. A lawyer client relationship is not created by communication or email through this web site. This is an attempt to collect a debt by a debt collector and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Service
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map
  • Powered By American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys
© 2023 Mendelson Firm, PLLC, All Rights Reserved