You’ve Got Your Ways of Coping And I’ve Got Mine

Funeral Industry News December 18, 2012
Ryan Thogmartin

Ryan Thogmartin is the Founder and CEO of DISRUPT Media, a Funeral Home Marketing Company specializing in social media. Ryan is also a deathcare entrepreneur who has launched; DeathCareJobs.com, PriceMyFuneral.com and Funeral Nation TV.


You’ve Got Your Ways of Coping And I’ve Got Mine

When death occurs it is almost always tragic. Whether it is a long slow battle with cancer or a horrific mass shooting like what happened last week in Newton, CT death is rarely a welcomed ending.

We can read about different grief counseling techniques, or we can watch bereavement videos, but at the end of the day we all grieve in our own way and have our way of coping with the death of a loved one. We have seen many examples of this surrounding the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting. Some parents of the victims are talking to the media and sharing the story of who their child was; others have stepped away from the media and are being more private.

This tragic shooting has stirred many emotions inside of me. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain and angrerthe parents of the victims are feeling. It sickens me to even think about it, but it is impossible not to. My heart breaks for these parents. I feel guilty that I have been able to hold my girls in my arms the last few days. I feel guilty that I take the random hugs and kisses from my 4 year old for granted. I feel guilty when I hear “Daddy, I love you more than pieces.” Like most, my heart has been extra heavy since last Friday morning.

As my wife and I have discussed this horrible tragedy one thing has been made very clear; I have my way of coping and you have yours. I think this is true for all of us, including the families you serve each day. There is no formula that blankets everyone when it comes to coping with grief.

This morning as I was working I had CMT (Country Music Television) on in the background and the music video below came on. I have heard this song a thousand times (I have the song in my Spotify playlist) but never has it hit me like it did today.

Please watch the video below for “I Drive Your Truck” – By Lee Brice. Listen to the words and see if they don’t make you look at grief and how we cope with in a different light.

People got their ways of coping
Oh, and I’ve got mine
I drive your truck
I roll every window down
And I burn up
Every back road in this town
I find a field, I tear it up
Til all the pain’s a cloud of dust
Yeah, sometimes I drive your truck

– Lee Brice – I Drive Your Truck