The best way to achieve a sense of closure at the end of a relationship is to properly mourn its demise.

Often, people have a more difficult time moving on from a failed relationship than they do with moving on from the death of a friend or loved one. One likely reason for this is that since no one has literally died, the loss is not adequately mourned.

When someone we love dies, we attend funerals or memorials to honor their memory and psychologically prepare ourselves for life without that person. But when our relationship with someone we love dies, we tend to neglect the mourning process and instead opt for extended periods of sorrow, anger or both.

Conducting a relationship funeral is one method of facilitating closure after a relationship has come to an end. Gather pictures, cards, letters and other mementos of your relationship and set a date and time for your funeral. You may keep it a private affair or perhaps share the experience with trusted friends and family members. On the chosen date, take some time to reminisce both the good and bad times of the relationship in question. Consider saying a few words or silently honoring the memories of what once was. Then either burn the mementos or bury them in a safe place. As you go through the motions, allow yourself to accept the fact that this person will no longer play the same role in your life, if any at all. From a psychological stand point, this exercise should help you to achieve a greater sense of closure about the relationship's end.

Another method of facilitating closure is practicing the art of forgiveness. This is something you do for yourself, not your ex and sometimes it is a process that needs to be consciously repeated over and over again.

For more advice and innovative ideas on healing a broken heart, consider reading a self-help book or break up survival guide to help you put things back into perspective.

One such recommendation can be found at www.BreakingUpWithoutBreakingD own.com

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