As hard as

-The L.A.P.D. is trying to find that out, ma'am, but this process, this investigation,
will be horribly stressful for you. And that's why I'm here. I'm here to help you.
And I realize talking about what happened won't take away the pain
that you're feeling right now.
But it's my hope that it might help you to process it, okay?
Now, as hard as this may be, one of the best ways to begin is to start with a recent conversation,
like maybe the one you had with your husband this morning before work.

(A detective talking with a woman who her husband was murdered.)

what do they mean to process it and as hard as this may be?

thank you.