No, your grief is not a sign of weakness or poor coping skills, it is a normal and healthy part of the healing process.  To deal with grief and face the changes in your life, you may need to:

– Talk about it (it will help let it sink in);
– Look after yourself (eat, drink, sleep, get fresh air and try to avoid alcohol and sedatives);
– Ask for help (don’t think you have to cope on your own);
– Understand your friends (friends can be impatient so tell them what you feel and share your grief);
– Be aware of advice givers (don’t allow people to entice you into replacing or avoiding your grief – e.g. going on holidays or buying a car);
– Be prepared for ups and downs (memories sparked by birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions can bring you down.  You need to find a way to remember what brings you comfort – e.g. visiting the cemetery).