Effects of Homicide on Families: How To Cope Grief After Homicide
The life of a person shatters when a member of his family or friend is murdered. From shock to anger, fear to depression, all mixed feelings make families of murdered victims experience adverse physical and psychological effects. Especially in the case of murder, the emotional wounds are not mendable, and the grief is different from other types, as murder is sudden and more traumatic than natural death.
According to Statista, the total number of United States homicide cases reported in 2022 is 21,156. This too-big number means thousands of grieving homicide survivors. Approximately homicide affected 16.4 million United States people. 5 million cases have been the homicide of a family member, 6.6 million cases have the murder of a relative other than a family member, and 4.8 million cases have been the homicide of a close friend. Let's explore the common reaction to a murdered friend or family member and the right ways to cope with such a big traumatic experience.
Homicide Survivors Common Reactions
The news of a loved one's murder is nothing but a big and sudden loss with initial shock and never-ending intense grief and denial. When you receive the murder news, it leaves an indelible imprint on your mind and memory. Though what happens after is challenging to understand due to its suddenness and intensity, how you get the news is unforgettable. Whether it comes through a knock on the door, a call from the police, or the direct experience of witnessing it firsthand - the moment never fades and forever sparks anxiety.
Such news shocks you badly and gives birth to despair and disbelief, which continues from days to weeks or even months. This type of tragic event is not only an unfortunate crisis but may arouse a lot of emotion in homicide survivors. The impact may be bigger if
● The crime or homicide situation is intense and abrupt enough to make things more difficult.
● How much the homicide survivor has the ability to comprehend the event.
● Is there any type of situation or intuition the survivor feels about the murder before the event?
Let's explore some common reactions to victims of murdered family members.
Cleanup:
In case of murder, the homicide cleanup or crime scene cleanup service is necessary to clear up the area because it needs a lot of care, patience, and legal authority. However, natural death and suicide also require a cleaning service, and the traumatic experience, shock, and grief need emotional support and therapy, so it's better to put the stress of cleaning areas to some professional like 911 Bio & Trauma cleaners because doing it yourself triggers anxiety and depression.
Shock/Numbness:
Suicide or homicide are such traumatic experiences that people hardly accept as real. Shock and confusion are the first and most common natural reactions and the brain's natural ways to soften the big impacts of such traumas.
Denial:
Denial is also a reaction that goes hand-in-hand with shock. People are not able to believe such sudden happenings in life.
Intense grief
After the shock and denial, the third common reaction is intense grief. It shows the gravity of such a traumatic experience starts to set in, which leads to uncontrollable crying and triggers anxiety; both are quite common. Don't bottle up your grief; let your tears pour out all the grief inside you; otherwise, you will never fight back against such trauma.
Fear/anxiety:
Just like grief, anxiety remains with a person after such traumatic experiences, which affects their lives, even their daily routines.
The sense of security of homicide survivors was shattered, which led to uncontrollable fear of the reappearing of the incident. They feel nervous, hesitate to go out, and worry that the killer might come back.
Guilt
Guilt is common but does not hit every homicide survivor. It's a feeling of remorse, a real phenomenon. People often blame themselves and think they could control it, but they didn't.
The feelings of guilt and depression are completely unhealthy for a person's mental health.
Homicide survivors are so lost that they don't understand whom they are angry at, whether the murderer or themselves, friends or family members in case of suicide. This guilt triggers deep depression in survivors, which further leads to loneliness and makes the griever isolated. They consider the murder of a loved one to be abnormal and feel that no one understands their sorrow and loss. Whether it's a suicide, planned murder, or natural death, the survivor needs help from Therapy centers and support groups because such a traumatic experience may trigger self-harming or suicidal thoughts.
How To Overcome Tragedy: Ways To Deal With A Murdered Family Member
Grieves have different types, and each one varies from person to person. That's why a counselor and professional therapist devise some trusted ways to help in coping with disbelief and anxiety that come after the homicide of a friend or family member. Let's explore some helpful tips that aid you in dealing with the situation of a loved one's murder.
Support Group:
Areas with higher homicide rates have small local support groups for homicide survivors. Some people prefer one-on-one counseling; in that case, trained counselors are available who help people cope with such traumatic experiences.
Share Feelings With Family
Close family members are your best listeners in grief. Sharing feelings with them will act as a healing medicine for murdered family members. Friends and family are those people who are also homicide survivors and are in shock and grief. They can better understand you and communicate your emotions, thus building a support system.
Simplifying Lives:
Making your lives simpler is necessary; thus, say goodbye to everyday stressors by engaging yourself in important things. Don't use drugs and alcohol because they destroy the physical and mental health of a person and inhibit or hinder your ability to recover from a trauma in the long run emotionally. Taking care of your mental and physical health and body is essential, so stay active, start exercising, and socialize each day for a little time.
Letter Writing:
Speaking about homicide and traumatic experiences is difficult for everyone. Experts suggest writing letters to your lost friends and family members. Write about your sadness, anger, fear, or regret related to their murder, the crime scene, and the involved criminals. After writing, put your letter in a casket, take a helium balloon, attach it, and release it.
Outside Outlets
A few outside outlets are sometimes the best source to release your anxiety. You can start writing about your feelings in a journal—exercising, yoga, and spending time making and seeing art to release tension and anxiety.
Trust 911 Bio & Trauma Cleaners for Expert Homicide Cleanup
The aftermath of a homicide is unimaginable as grief, shock, and a thousand uncertainties cloud your mind. But among this emotional storm, one thing is clear: facing a biohazard scene alone is unthinkable. That's why 911 Bio & Trauma Cleaners comes for your help, 24/7, to handle the unthinkable problem of homicide and Odor cleanup with expertise and compassion.
We Clean Because We Care, and We Do It Right:
Expert Biohazard Technicians: Our hand-selected crew comprises former law enforcement, firefighters, and hazmat technicians, ensuring forensic-grade cleaning for blood, bodily fluids, and more.
Areas: We readily serve the Eastern US, arriving swiftly to begin biohazard, restoration, and decomposition cleanup.
Blood Cleanup, Death Cleanup, & More: Whether it's homicide cleanup, suicide cleaning, or even COVID Decontamination, our expert team will handle every situation and make your home again a safe and clean living area with no traces of incident.
Why Choose 911 Bio & Trauma Cleaners?
● As we understand the emotional toll of homicide, we provide you with the utmost cleaning service.
● We are experts in removing biohazards, fingerprint dust, and other contaminants, helping law enforcement and protecting your property.
● Grief and anxiety of homicide become more traumatic when companies ask for too much money for cleaning services, but 911 Bio & Trauma Cleaners is your savior at this point, also. We minimize your financial burden as we're experienced in working with insurance companies. Thus, our service is 30% more affordable than those of other expensive companies in the industry.
You are not alone in this traumatic experience; just heal yourself emotionally and let the burden of cleaning your space on our shoulders. We'll make it safe and liveable again for you.