For me it would be alone. For others it would be with friends or family. Then others might prefer a community. I don't think there is a universal best way to grieve.
Grieving is one of those custom-fit things. For me, it starts with a month of spiritually cleansing tears that help me process the loss and ends when I can talk about it with others. "Others" are healthcare providers and close friends. ... Churches do nothing for me, and I avoid grieving with the hypocritical relatives here in NYC. Some of them throw around a prayer or two, but spend most of their time binge drinking, smoking weed, snorting coke, and shooting dope if they can get away with it. One of my nephews, a 20 y/o piece of ___ stick-up kid from the South Bronx was gunned down last August. At the funeral, a few of his friends smoked crystal meth and talked about the angel he was. Mom and the 23 y/o fetus she calls a husband were plastered. My sister put on an Oscar-winning performance for Channel 11 with lines such as "They didn't have to kill him" and "My baby is dead; I wish it had been me."
To make a long story short, there's no recipe or cookie-cutter formula for grieving. I guess it depends on the relationship you had with the dearly departed; how much you loved them, and how big a void their passing left in your heart and soul.
I find that my grieving is personnal. Ive shared greiving for a love one but that real grief from the loss of a love one is something you come to terms with on your own whether it gets outside input or guidance depends on where I am and how I can relate to it. I was bless to have time with my father when he had stroke. I was there every day and although wordss were not passed so very much was said. Actually his speech was affected by the stroke so he mouth words. But so many things like the squeeze of a hand said so much. Anyway I think my grieving was enhanced by that closeness before death and because I was there for him for whatever and he knew that. So my 1st in life greiving process was a matter of me accepting that Id never see my father again and then processing all the good I learned and saw in him. Recognizing what he instilled and appreciating the blessing of him in my life. Then trying to pass it on.
It's such a personal and private issue. Your grief is not like anyone else's. You're going to process it as uniquely as you are. The circumstances are particularly yours. If someone says: "I know what you are going through", in all 100% honesty, they don't. You will find what helps you most. It will take time, and no one should judge others either way.
To make a long story short, there's no recipe or cookie-cutter formula for grieving. I guess it depends on the relationship you had with the dearly departed; how much you loved them, and how big a void their passing left in your heart and soul.
Family, friends, social organizations, professional grief counselling, and support groups can also play a part in grieving.
Your grief is not like anyone else's.
You're going to process it as uniquely as you are.
The circumstances are particularly yours.
If someone says: "I know what you are going through", in all 100% honesty, they don't.
You will find what helps you most.
It will take time, and no one should judge others either way.
M88