On 8 September 2022, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II passed away at the age of 96. She was Britain’s longest serving monarch, having served dutifully for 70 years since 1952. Queen Elizabeth will be fondly remembered for her commitment to her country, as highlighted by the high number of public engagements she made throughout her life, as well as her actions in times of national crisis. During World War II, while still a princess, Queen Elizabeth encouraged evacuees to have courage through her radio broadcasts and she would later join the Auxiliary Territorial Services, where she worked as a driver and a mechanic. At the age of just 25, she ascended to the throne and began her reign.
Across the nation and around the world, many people are remembering the great achievements and life of Queen Elizabeth. Many world leaders have reflected on her kindness. American President Joe Biden noted that, ‘she charmed us with her wit, moved us with her kindness, and generously shared her wisdom.’ The Queen was an incredibly important figure for people around the world, both due to her composure as a stateswoman and due to her personality.
If you would like to send a message of condolence to the Royal Family, you can do so here.
At Johnnie Johnson Housing, we are also taking this moment to reflect on the history of Queen Elizabeth and our own engagement with her. We understand that the passing of the Queen may have brought out feelings of sadness and grief. You may be feeling distressed at the Queen’s passing. When someone with such global and national importance passes, who has been a stable presence throughout our lives, it is common to feel disorientated emotionally.
We want to support you the best that we can during this difficult time, no matter what you are feeling. We have some suggestions and resources that you might find useful to help deal with Queen Elizabeth’s passing and any wider feelings related to loss that have been brought up by this event.
Things you can do to help during times of loss and bereavement
Following the tragic announcement of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, many of us are in mourning, or have been reminded of losses in our own lives.
We would like to offer you some guidance and support to help you cope with loss and bereavement.
Allow yourself the time to grieve
It is important to give yourself time to grieve, and to remember that there is no right or wrong way to feel.
Talk about it
Coping with loss and bereavement might bring up different emotions, and this could make it difficult to complete daily tasks. Talking about your feelings to a friend, neighbour or relative could help you overcome the confusion and distress you might be feeling.
Maintain healthy habits
Look after your body. Make sure to eat healthily and have regular meals. Engaging in regular exercise and getting out into nature can help to clear your mind. Going on walks with friends is a great way to connect with others and to give yourself a chance to process your feelings together.
Keep a journal
Keeping a journal can help you gain a better understanding of how your feelings have changed, and down the line, will help you reflect on how far you’ve come.
Join a support group or see a grief counsellor
You might benefit from talking to others who are going through a similar experience, so joining a support group could be a good idea. If you feel that you need the support of a specialist, do not hesitate to contact a grief counsellor.
Find ways to remember the person you are grieving for
Memories are always part of our lives, but you might find it helpful to create a tangible memory from their personal belongings. You could make a blanket from their clothing, create a photo collage or scrapbook, or even plant a tree in their memory.
Click on the links below to view some useful resources that could help you process loss and bereavement:
NPR: Grief for beginners: 5 things to know about processing loss
NHS: Grief, bereavement and loss guidance
Cruse: Grief for her Majesty the Queen