Music Helping Grief

Music plays a big role in helping people to grieve. Music can be used in many different ways: Music has been proven to release stress and relieve tension. While one must be careful with which music is chosen to help heal, music can help relax and make a person more happy. Music can also provide a means of expressing the grief, anger and pain. Hearing certain words can be healing, as well as singing them oneself. Music can be used to inspire and encourage.

Tony Falzano, a writer, composer and grief specialist, described how he composes soothing music that is designed to bring stability to the body and mind. He creates story music, whereby the compositions and instruments weave together an underlying spiritual narrative. He described using music to help him through the difficult and emotional task of going through his parents belongings after they passed away. The music soothed him during this tough time and helped him to do what he needed to do. Tony also used music to facilitate meditation.

Choosing the right music is very important to the healing process. First one should identify what there need is: releasing anger, fear, pain, grief, or something to uplift, inspire or relax. Should the music have words or purely instrumental. Should the music have a heavy beat, many instruments, or be more simple. Nostalgic music reminding someone of the time with the loved one can be a powerful part of the grieving process as well.

Falzano recommended for relaxed music to choose music that is slower, between 60-80 beats per minute. A persons heartbeat is between 70-90 beats per minute, thus the music is at heartbeat or slightly slower. He recommended choosing music that is unfamiliar so that the music will be associated with the grief and healing process.