What does it take to survive after a family member commits suicide?

Sgt Spencer Sikder I know one family with three men who committed suicide. The grandfather is a retired Navy Captain. His son-in-law hung himself in the woods years ago. The eldest son hung himself in the exact same spot on an anniversary of the suicide. I met the younger son who was being treated for psychiatric disorders on and off. He was a quiet and thoughtful early 20's young man. We went to church together a couple times. I shared my own struggles with suicide with him. One evening he took his grandfather's shotgun and blew his brains out while sitting on the roof of the house.
For those of us who are believers in the sufficiency of Lord Jesus Christ to save us, we understand that suicide is not an unforgivable sin. I know believers who have committed suicide while in the midst of seemingly overwhelming depression - the young man I described above seemed to be a believer. I know of other suicides - purposeful and accidental - usually drug related.
God knows exacting when and where and how we will be born and He knows exactly when, where and how each of us will die. I try to mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice. Only a relationship with God through Christ will guarantee our destiny for eternal good and that relationship will help us in all phases of life. I hope and pray that each one of us recognizes the signs of depression in ourselves and in our friends and family members soon enough to help.
SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas, CMSgt Mark Schubert, SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4", SGT Randal Groover, SGT Forrest Stewart

JP4 nailed it, but in addition to what he said, strength to focus on problems bigger than your own and understand others as you'd want them to understand you. We can't save everyone no matter what we may think, but we can arm them with the love, genuine caring, and mutual respect they are due, and HOPEFULLY that will be enough to stop just ONE person from taking their lives.

How do you deal with the murderer or a loved one? Ultimately, grieving is replaced with anger when the family of a suicide realize that the person they have lost is one in the same as the murderer. That's the real challenge isn't it: Dealing with anger? How do you deal with anger? Forgiveness. Yes, I know. It's easier said than done, but that's what it takes. And forgiving yourself for the anger you feel towards a loved one. It's a double-whamy of anger...