How to Support a Grieving Family Member or Friend: 6 Principles

Supporting a Griever / Supporting a Griever : Eleanor Haley



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It's common to feel anxious and intimidated in the "grief support" role. This is one of the reasons why otherwise caring people sometimes say hurtful, minimizing, or unhelpful things to their bereaved loved ones and why they sometimes avoid their grieving friends and family members altogether.  Hopefully, if nothing else, all of you reading this after Googling "how to support a grieving friend" will take solace knowing your fear is normal and (likely) not indicative of a personal problem.

Last month several of the people I love experienced the death of someone they love.  I sent flowers, I wrote cards, and said "I'll be here if you need anything" but overall I felt useless, ineffective, and unhelpful. I knew these friends and family members were entering the darkness of grief and that all I could really offer them was timid encouragement and the offer of support.

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I started thinking about this reality (and drawing very bad stick figure cartoons about it) and ultimately decided to turn to our readers to ask for their perspective.  I posted a question on Facebook and Instagram asking our readers what the best thing any person or people did for them in them in the days, weeks, months, and years after their loss.  I expected to get a handful of responses, but instead we received close to 150.

Reading all these responses was an incredibly moving experience and it helped me to realize a few important things.

  1. There are a lot of awesomely supportive family and friends out there.
  2. The things people find helpful are very specific to who they are as people and to their unique circumstances.
  3. Having a good support system is never about any one person saying or doing the exact right thing.  Rather it's about having a network of support people who come together to help in big and small ways. And it's the small gestures that are often most appreciated!

I'm sad we can't share all the responses we received, but if you want to read the individual comments you can go here.  Instead we'd like to share a few themes, or principles, that emerged as most helpful and supportive to grieving individuals.

1.  Send something

In the past we've given flowers a bit of a bad rap because, while lovely to have at the services, (1) it's difficult to know what to do with them afterwards and (2) flowers die and when they do they smell terrible.  The truth is, though, I often send flowers when I feel that it's appropriate.  If you think the person would appreciate flowers, or if you think that you will be one of the only people who send them, then send them.

Now if you get the sense that many people will send flowers, you may want to think outside of the box.  Some suggestions that people noted as especially helpful include sending/dropping off:

  • Home cooked meals
  • Remembrance items
  • Food and home staples
  • Thoughtful cards and letters
  • Gift cards to somewhere practical or self-care related
  • Items that belonged to the person
  • Care box with self-care items

2. Offer practical support

People often need practical support after the death of a loved one for two reasons (1) because their deceased loved one used to handle certain things and fill certain roles and (2) because grief makes it hard to care about the minutia of day-to-day life.  Ask yourself, what might my loved one need help with and what unique skills do I have to offer?  If you find that you aren't the best person to help fill a potential need, you might also consider purchasing a gift certificate so your loved one can hire someone at their own convenience (i.e. a cleaning service or a landscaper).

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A few examples of helpful practical support that were shared include...

When a friend or family member...

  • Leant a hand with little day-to-day tasks
  • Helped with children or pets
  • Helped the bereaved sort through a loved one's belonging or helped to clean out a house
  • Helped with yard work
  • Cleaned the house
  • Helped with odd jobs around the house
  • Taught the person how to handle new tasks and responsibilities (i.e. finances, lawn care, childcare, etc)
  • Sent meals
  • Gave them a place to stay when they didn't want to stay alone in their home
  • Accompanied them on certain outings

3. Be there

Many people expressed that friends and family "being there", physically and/or emotionally, was one of the most helpful gifts a person could have given them after their loved one died. To clarify, "being there" goes beyond a vague and non-comital - "let me know if you need anything".  Let's be honest, this is often the last phrase someone utters before going MIA on their grieving family member or friend. Not helpful.

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Examples of how to "be there" in a real way vary, but include some of the following:

When a supportive friend or family member...

  • Physically showed up during the bereaved's time of need
  • Continued to check in on a regular basis via text message or phone
  • Regularly offered a simple "I love you" or "I'm thinking of you"
  • Shared meals with the bereaved when they knew they were struggling to eat alone
  • Called just to talk
  • Offered a real hug
  • Offered a hanky
  • Offered sincere and simple words of support and encouragement

4. Help them take a break

One of my favorite grief theories, the Dual Process Model, says that a griever will oscillate between confronting their loss and avoiding the loss. Under this model, seeking respite from grief is a healthy part of coping.  This makes sense, right?  Sometimes a person needs a little time to feel normal or to engage in activities that give them a boost of positive emotion.  This being the case, it may be helpful to offer or encourage distraction; with the caveat that you should never push a person to minimize, move on, or forget their loss and with the understanding that their grief could overcome them at any moment (especially in the early days) and thats okay.

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Some of the things that people noted as providing positive distraction include....

  • Laughter
  • Sharing positive memories of their loved one
  • Taking them out for a meal
  • Taking them to the movies or on other recreational outings
  • Accompanying them to parties or other social gatherings

5. Be willing to "go there" with them

Something people often express their appreciation for is having friends and family who are willing to be present for the sad and uncomfortable moments without trying to fix them and without showing fear, discomfort, or judgment.

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Being willing to "go there" with a bereaved individual can mean many things.  A few noted examples include...

When friends or family members were willing to...

  • Be present for the tears, anger, and outbursts without judgment
  • Sit in silence
  • Talk about the person who died - say their name, share memories, bring them up
  • Just let the bereaved person cry
  • Offer validation and/or normalize the experience
  • Truly listen (without trying to offer advice)
  • Accept the person's grief months and even years later

6. Don't forget

Part of being a supportive family member or friend is understanding that grief is, in many ways, a forever thing.  Your loved one doesn't just need your support in the immediate aftermath of loss, but also in the years to come.  Days like anniversaries, holidays, birthdays, Mother's Day and Father's Day, weddings, and graduations may forever land somewhere on the spectrum of sad to bittersweet.

card

You can show your ongoing support for a grieving loved one by doing the following...

  • Sending a card or checking in on the days you think may be difficult
  • Recognizing that the certain times of year, like the time of year when their loved one died, may be difficult
  • Continuing to share memories and to talk about their loved one
  • Continuing to randomly (or regularly) check in with the person
  • Acknowledging that happy days may be somewhat bittersweet
  • Acknowledging that the person who died is always with them

Have we missed something?  Share your feedback below in the comments section.  

 

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After writing online articles for What’s Your Grief for over a decade, we finally wrote a tangible, real-life book!

What’s Your Grief? Lists to Help you Through Any Loss is for people experiencing any type of loss. This book discusses some of the most common grief experiences and breaks down psychological concepts to help you understand your thoughts and emotions. It also shares useful coping tools, and helps the reader reflect on their unique relationship with grief and loss.

You can find What’s Your Grief? Lists to Help you Through Any Loss wherever you buy books:

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64 Comments on "How to Support a Grieving Family Member or Friend: 6 Principles"

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  1. Ermintrude  March 8, 2024 at 8:53 pm Reply

    And please please people don’t be grasping and needy for your own sake when your friend is grieving. They do not need a list of the things you find you need during the first week or two of their grieving. They may have always been helpful to you but right now when they’re grieving do not ask those things of them. They will not be thankful if you do. What they need is what they state and what they ask for pay close attention. If they ask for solitude and privacy honor that if they ask that somebody prepare the meals or take them out for a meal give them that. If they ask for help with packing show up do not go to them

  2. Lily B  September 16, 2023 at 11:21 am Reply

    I’ve been really worried about my sister since her husband passed away so suddenly. It’s been incredibly tough for her, and I think she needs grief support to help her navigate this difficult journey and find some comfort during this challenging time. As you said, people frequently require practical assistance following the loss of a loved one for a variety of reasons, one of which is that their departed loved one was responsible for handling particular tasks and performing specific jobs.

  3. Barbara R.  July 30, 2023 at 2:30 pm Reply

    Thanks for the helpful article. I have a practical suggestion to send grieving families if you feel it is appropriate for the family or person who has passed. I plant trees from “One Tree Planted” a non profit organization you can read about: [link removed by admin].
    I am not affiliated with this organization in any way. There are several non profits that plant trees for any occasion. One Tree Planted sends a certificate and card to the family by email. I also print them out (they are very lovely) and mail them. Each tree costs one dollar (or used to) so you send 10, 20 etc – they have large packages. Trees are planted on many continents including North America to
    reforest areas devastated by fires and a host of reasons. If you feel it seems political (though how can planting a tree be political – it is an “environmental” organization), look at other organizations. Jewish people will be quite familiar with this tradition as planting trees in Israel has been a long standing tradition to honor a loved one or friend’s passing. Hope this is useful. I didn’t read every comment though I will later, so maybe someone mentioned planting trees?

  4. Cheryl  July 24, 2023 at 9:50 pm Reply

    It is never easy to lose someone, especially when that person is your child. My 16 yr . old daughter was killed in a car accident. She was a passenger but no seatbelts on, both were thrown out of the car & taken to the hospital. With no hope of recovering both girls died that night.
    It has been a lot of years, with trying every way I could to cope. The people that were most helpful were the ones that listened to show they cared. Support groups and counseling helped but the one thing I’ve realized, I could Never Wish Her Back to the life she had as she died. My Faith has helped me get to where I am now. Blessings have come to me by giving my love & attention to other people, children & babies. It has really been a God Sent Gift to me. I am forever grateful for the 16 1/2 yrs. she was here.
    Her body, earthy remains, put to rest, gives me a physical place to go; but I know her Spirit soars all around with the goodness that has come!

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  5. Cheryl R  July 24, 2023 at 6:49 pm Reply

    I ‘ll be honest & let you know that I did not take the time to read everything. I have sent note cards, but more than that I have sent bunches of postage stamps to help with all the thank you notes for flowers, plants, statues & whatever. Not having to purchase postage stamps is one less thing to have to worry about.

  6. Diana  April 24, 2023 at 2:16 pm Reply

    I lost a best friend and a fiance after 8 short months of happiness. And that was after 30 years of an emotional abuse marriage. I have 2 grown daughters and one (30)sends me flowers on occasion out of the blue saying “Just because I love you Mom. Because she has no clue what to say to me.” Lol and my youngest (24) has listened to every story or word I’ve ever said about “B” Then one day I go to her house and she promptly sits me down and says …”Mom..just allow yourself to grieeeeeve. If u need validation..then here it is!!”
    Idk how many are still reading my comment but this is the BEST ADVICE I’ve ever received. Who knew? Not me !! I had no clue how to grieve. But I’m a little better now that I’ve ALLOWED myself to let go and just grieve. It’s just been recently that this has happened with my daughter and my B died almost 5 years ago!! All that being said….Here is your validation. Just ALLOW yourself to let grow and grieve and miss the hell out of your loved one!! Because it’s okay!!

  7. Leigh  September 24, 2022 at 3:43 pm Reply

    Another great way to help someone following the death of a loved one is to help them navigate all the legalities that follow. I used this checklist for a loved one and it made a world of difference, allowing her to grieve while ensuring important and necessary things were handled. https://abbyseniorcare.com/when-an-older-loved-one-dies/

  8. Peggy  May 9, 2022 at 4:51 pm Reply

    My cousin 65 died just before Christmas, my mom died in Feb, a few weeks later my cousin 63 lost her husband to cancer. Just ago, my brother in law passed away. We had a visitation of my mom, I went to funeral service for cousin and cousin husband. We have yet to lay my mom to rest waiting on access to cemetery. My brother in law is being buried in 2 days. I am not sure I can mentally go to his burial. He was cremated and is being buried, his celebration of life is Sunday. I feel I need to be supportive, thou the last couple of months have been so hard, overwhelming dealing with mom’s cremation, burial and will.
    The brother in law is my husband side. I didn’t have a great relationship with him but I do with my husband’s sister. We must drive to Toronto in rush hour at least 2 hrs away and back home. Very stressful on top of being overwhelmed with dealing with my mom’s stuff. Is it ok not to go or should I just handle all th grief and go? Thanks

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    • Litsa  May 10, 2022 at 5:49 am Reply

      Unfortunately, there is no right or wrong answer to things like this! But taking care of yourself is incredibly important and if it feels like too much, it is important to give yourself the space you need. That said, I’m sure you know from your other recent losses that support is important. So communicating with your sister in law about why you can’t come will likely be important to making sure she isn’t hurt by your decision (and perhaps sending her something as a gesture, as you won’t be there in person). The other thing you could do is consider ways of going that would ease some of the stress. For example, could you go the night before and stay over so that you don’t have to drive there in rush hour traffic. That may not be feasible if you don’t have family to stay with or money for a hotel, but worth considering. Alternatively, could you plan to leave plenty early so that you could maybe stop for a walk or a coffee before hand, rather than rushing from the car straight into the service. You could also plan for an audiobook or podcast you’d enjoy in the car, or create a playlist that you know will cheer you up or keep you calm. If you haven’t already, obviously it would be important to talk it through with your husband as well – both because he may have feelings about it, as well as ideas about what could make the whole thing easier if you do decide to go. Good luck with whatever you decide.

  9. Tammy Harrison  April 28, 2022 at 4:05 pm Reply

    Before, during and after, my stepchildren and grandchildren stayed and help get rid of things. In hind sight, I wish I had stopped them. I have no idea what they took and this would have helped me to see what to give to charity. Once they all left, I have heard nothing from them. Just what they are doing on Facebook. I’m now dealing with Probate and I have no idea how much that’s going to cost. Sometimes I’m lonely, but I find that talking to myself and planning housework etc keeps me in focus of things I have to do.

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  10. Catherine  April 18, 2022 at 4:29 pm Reply

    All very helpful. This is a great article. I just wish there weren’t spelling mistakes in it! 🙂

    • Litsa  April 19, 2022 at 6:22 am Reply

      Ha, and I wish I didn’t have ADHD so I wouldn’t be so bad with typos. But so it goes . .. no budget for a copy editor yet. Maybe someday 🙂

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  11. Lori Hemminger  December 25, 2021 at 4:04 pm Reply

    I am a house painter and each year I make wreaths for those people I did work for that year.. one of my customers lost her husband to cancer a few weeks after i refinished their house..I went to her house a couple days ago with a Christmas wreath I made, upon knocking at the door, I could see she was sitting on her couch crying..she immediately got up and motioned for me to come in.. and we gave each other a long hug ..After she (and I) were in between tears she told me that God must have sent me.. Because she really needed to not be alone at that moment.. I felt so blessed that God used me to bring just a glimmer of light into her totally dark world right now.. I’m sharing this only to encourage people to be a friend… even to people who are just acquaintances and not thought of as a friends.. i will continue checking on her and visiting her.. Please remember that the time we are given to spend with others is a gift from God. The love we share with others is a gift from God.. He determines how much time we have..Give Him thanks.. and use the time by doing and saying good things and telling those you love that you love them..

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    • Litsa  December 27, 2021 at 4:19 pm Reply

      Thank you so much for sharing such a lovely and meaningful moment, Lori. It is amazing how far care and compassion can go to help people through some of the darkest moments.

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  12. Laura  September 29, 2021 at 11:27 pm Reply

    My husband and I have very close friends, whose daughter in law just passed away from Covid, at the age of 33. She left behind a 4 year old daughter and 11 year old special needs daughter, as well as her husband. This has been heartbreaking for my husband and I, as we don’t know how to help our friends or their son. Anyone with advice would be much appreciated.

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  13. Laura  September 29, 2021 at 9:39 pm Reply

    My husband and I have very close friends, whose daughter in law just passed away from Covid, at the age of 33. She left behind a 4 year old daughter and 11 year old special needs daughter, as well as her husband. This had been heartbreaking for my husband and I, as we don’t know how to help our friends or their son. Anyone with advice would be much appreciated.

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  14. Claire Masters  July 7, 2021 at 6:15 am Reply

    Thanks for reminding me how important it is to offer support to a friend or relative who just lost a loved one. My uncle who is a war veteran recently passed away and his family is too distraught to take care of the funeral service. I hope I find the right funeral home.

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  15. Lara Froom  May 2, 2021 at 9:59 am Reply

    My daughters husband died 10 days ago at the age of 35 due to a brain hemorrhage caused by the Astra Zeneca Covid vaccine. They’d been married just 2 months and she’s 5 months pregnant with their first child. It’s agony seeing her going through this and agony knowing how many painful months and years she has ahead of her. I’m staying with her now and she does have close friends here, but I can’t stay forever as she’s a 7 hour drive away. I have to go back to work as my financial situation has been badly hit by the pandemic. I’m really struggling but it’s nothing compared to what my “baby” is going through. I want someone to tell me what to do but I know they can’t. I just have to be strong for her and there for her.

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  16. Leanne  April 23, 2021 at 8:13 am Reply

    I’ve read your comments on how to support someone during the grieving process. My sister lost her husband 7 months ago and I have been by her side from the beginning. She tells me all the time that I have been invaluable to her. I spend three evenings a week with her and attend griefshare counseling with her weekly. I am so immersed in this process that at times I feel like I will not survive it myself. I am physically and mentally exhausted! I and others have made me feel it is my responsibility to make her whole again. She has other friends that check in occasionally, but only attend to her needs when it is convenient for them. There really are no others to count on to help. Can you offer any advise for the care giver of the one who is grieving?

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  17. Kaka  April 22, 2021 at 12:57 pm Reply

    Please how do you support friends (two sisters) is continents away from you.
    I sent flowers, I call – sometimes the call is missed due to time difference. I’ve started to send messages and voice notes talking about how much their Dad inspires me with his love for family and faith in God. I also tell them and how I love them and I’m praying for them.

    I ask them how they are doing but I tend to talk about lighter things just so the silent is not awkward and just so I cheer them up a bit.

    I don’t even know what to do. I really want to be there, sometimes it’s hard to reach out because I don’t know if I should be emotional or be cheerful. Or if they even feel like talking.
    I would have visited them but I can’t.

    *Sigh I am highly empathetic and I cry thinking about how they must be hurting.

    Any advices…

    Love you all🧡

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  18. Kathryn  February 18, 2021 at 8:54 am Reply

    Concerned about my sister’s daughter who just lost her Mom & is getting married in July~ talk about bittersweet!

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  19. Chrissy  January 29, 2021 at 7:05 pm Reply

    Hi thank you so much for these blogs
    I realised how important it is to talk and cry
    And to have a distraction too ……. I have learnt many errors of my way of trying to comfort
    In the last 8 years my mother died of cancer I had cancer breast surgery within 6 months of her death….only just finishing my chemo treatment my father who had lewed Alzihimers was awful we had not had a close relationship before…… then the family fighting didn’t think I could make it through shortly after my fathers death my husband had triple heart by past which went wrong and it took 2 years to be stable my brother died of cancer 2 years ago ….and now with a broken marriage my granddaughter has a chronicle complicated illness and we don’t know her life span …. I remember her saying nanny don’t try to fix me just love me …. due to Corona virus I can’t be with them physically I started to realise as you have pointed out it’s trying to understand where they are and what can I offer I’m finding it extremely hard as now all the years of trauma and grief being bottled up I started to have panic attacks on small amount of diazepam to just keep me ticking over so I can stay as balanced as possible I have come to experience first hand the hurtful things people can say I learnt to forgive them for as you mentioned nobody can really understand the depth of such pain but as you say to remind them every day how beautiful they are how valued they are and to say of course I don’t know the very depth of your pain and how well you are doing but it’s ok to not be ok it’s ok to have a rant it’s ok if you don’t want to talk but I’m here anytime you want to sending lighthearted silly stuff can make them laugh laughter dose help in a sensitive way my granddaughter said nanny you make me laugh
    It’s so up lifting to hear that to tell them how proud you are of them to remind them of the beautiful qualities they have in them helps too as they need to know they still have value no matter what kind of mood they are in to be accepting of them as they change from day to day I know my daughter wanted to talk about something different being a carer 24/7 is hard work and as you say they need a break sending them little gifts that they will enjoy new pyjamas a lovely little garden house that lights up it takes a lot of energy so it takes a lot of sensitivity and wisdom
    Tuning in to where they are every time as you say can be very sensitive making them feel valued not guilty if they get angry encouraging them offering if you can do anything as well as listening although as a Christian I found it very hard and things where said that really brought more help but I decided with help of holy spiritual to forgive and asked god to help me be caring to them I could not have done this without a lot of prayer a lot of reassuring from scripture the reminder that even Jesus cried at lazarous tomb his loneliness in the garden of getziminie excuse spelling when his disciples couldn’t stay awake and it was the many times he prayed for help to god I’ve done that when it came to a point where people where not able to understand it helped me to pray more and I just sent my daughter a poem on how beautiful a daughter she was .., her reply in tears was thank you so much as her husband and his family where not there to support her….. one thing I am learning as a Christian is the mistakes I’ve made before in being super spiritual really can be devastating it’s about being his ears his hands his heart his ears
    And even if you do fail or feel you can’t make them better to just say sorry if you make a mistake and just keep walking with them…. so many people have lost hope in a god loving them because sometimes we need to be more intuned and sometimes it’s the last thing someone wants to hear about god at the time as they may as you say not meaning to be angry at god if they ask for prayer my daughter did sometimes other times she would say I don’t want to talk about pray as Christians we can pray for them quietly but as you say we have to be prepared that their grieving and reactions can change from day to day the most important thing I learned is I stuffed it all done for years and it then had a big reaction later in anger and anxieties coming out the best thing is to be able if they want to talk about and not be made to feel guilty weak or ashamed you are perfectly correct we must be very sensitive
    And prepared for the many stages of grief that come and go thank you so much for this blog site I wish I had read it before but it’s never too late to learn and keep on learning never never give up we can’t fix but we can be that one hug that one builder that one smile hug card present listening ear and then at the end if it’s not as succeful as we had hoped we too must remember to not
    Beat ourselves up or blame ourselves if we have done all we can humanly do then it’s also about having compassion for ourselves or else that too can become destructive thank you all so much for sharing and all this has helped me very very much love to you xx

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  20. Robin N  May 11, 2020 at 12:43 am Reply

    My husband of 33 years died 2 years ago. There are still times I feel like nothing is worth doing. I realize that few people understand that grief is not over in any specific amount of time. And that the person who is grieving can tell who is just saying trite words and who really cares — and that caring is often shown with their phone call or visit, and their willingness to talk about it. So I believe authenticity is the most important thing. And next is getting out of your comfort zone when it comes to consoling someone. Do something — send a card. Bake cookies. Ask if he or she wants to go somewhere with you. Give the person who’s grieving a purpose — even it it’s just for that day. Give them a goal and a distraction — especially in the evenings after work and on weekends. Trust me — he or she is looking for something to do besides cry. And saying call me if you need anything is a cop out. The person is not going to call you. Because the grieving person doesn’t know what he needs most of time. All he or she knows is that her best friend is gone. So if you want to help, be there. Even if it’s just a short visit, or driving with them to the gravesite or meeting for a cup of coffee.
    By the way, this is a fantastic forum. Great insights. Thank you so much!

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    • Susan  May 20, 2022 at 9:31 pm Reply

      Oh you are so right about what you said death and for people to reach out to others when someone dies cause they will not my husband of 43 years died and I am lost without him he was my friend my everything and now I have no one except friends and I sit at home doing nothing but I know he is with me.

  21. Christine  March 17, 2020 at 3:15 pm Reply

    Loved your article! One thing I’d like to add is the overuse of texting. My dad recently died and most of my friends, close friends, texted me their condolences and offer of help… Not Helpful! Weeks later they’d “check in” and ask how I’m doing. Really? I’m supposed to sit and pour out my feelings in a text of my emotional state? I find it selfish that people can’t “check in” with a phone call, listen to people, HEAR what’s going on with them. Be present! Anyone you love that’s grieving deserves a phone call.

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    • Steve  February 28, 2021 at 10:47 pm Reply

      My friend’s partner texted me to tell me the news that my friend’s mom had passed. When I tried to call both, they understand my didn’t answer because they were at the mom’s house with neighbors. They said they would call later. They didn’t. The next day my friend texted me and said “there is nothing to say other than grieving Is so painful.” So no one wanted to call or talk on the phone. Ok. I’ll wait til day when a call will be answered/made.

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  22. Ben  March 13, 2020 at 5:10 pm Reply

    Hi, my childhood friend just passed a way. Would it be appropriate to give his family a home cooked meal?

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  23. Emma Tylor  November 13, 2019 at 2:50 am Reply

    Great article! very supportive and Being there for someone is really important.

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  24. Andy Chaet  October 23, 2019 at 12:47 pm Reply

    Hi As a Grief Support Specialist aka bereavement counselor for hospice ,I have enjoyed your articles and advice. The deathaversary can be difficult. However ,there are so many other special days and dates that trigger memories .I often ask myself ” I wish Mom were here to tell her about this” or” Am I using the right pan for this dish?”
    Many clients are comfortable in group settings. They realize they are not alone .They may hear thoughts and ideas from others that they were not aware of. Often, in private sessions, some have said “I thought I had it rough. That other person is having a truly difficult time. ”
    Keep up the good work WYG . Thank you

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    • Dana  February 7, 2020 at 7:41 pm Reply

      Hi there – a couple weeks ago my dad passed away – very sudden, and very young. It is just me (his daughter), my brother, and my mom. I want to make sure that my brother and mom will be ok through this. What can I do to help them through this?

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  25. Trish Vaden  October 20, 2019 at 8:46 am Reply

    Thank you for all these ideas. Any thoughts on how to support a loved one who is grieving when they live far away? We will be able to go to the memorial service and stay for a couple of days. After that, I’ll send cards and check in but that just doesn’t seem like enough.

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  26. Funeral services  October 3, 2019 at 7:11 am Reply

    Very helpful article and I totally agree. I believe one should understand what is Grief and how different people react to someone you love is taken away. Grief is a natural response to loss, emotional suffering or pain of loss can feel overwhelming when someone you love is taken away. We can console them my sending then flowers or being there for them, support them.

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  27. Des  March 9, 2019 at 5:10 am Reply

    The father of our only child has passed away my girl is 13years of age I know that though she doesn’t display and emotions of sadness she is still feeling guilty and regretful about putting off going to spend weekends with him or simply contacting him through text . I am left with out any financial support to help secure her future or simply provide her with the necessities of her everyday life to top that off I recently became laid off from work I would like to start a fundraiser campaign so I can better secure her future and essential needs ,she deserves to grieve and not be worried about what’s going to happen to our home and if we will be able too afford food etc. I’m in a financial bind and quite frankly don’t know how to word my request on the campaign page and would like some help on doing so

    5
    • Harmony  April 16, 2019 at 12:05 am Reply

      You might try talking to any local churches in your area. Even if you are not religious or a church member sometimes churches have helpful funds for just those kind of needs and they might also have grief support groups too that could help direct you to other resources that might be more useful if what they have there is not a good fit for you. Perhaps there would even be someone there who could help you with the wording for the fundraiser mentioned? It might not be a perfect fit, but it might be a place to start if you are not sure of where to start looking? I’m so very sorry that you are experiencing such a painful situation.

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    • Mary Grace Umlauf  May 8, 2019 at 9:00 am Reply

      Perhaps you have probably explored this option …

      Your daughter should be eligible for Social Security survivors benefits until age 18 based on her father’s SSI contributions.

      2
  28. A  March 5, 2019 at 1:51 pm Reply

    My friend passed away in a motorcycle accident last Saturday. He left behind 6 kids, his mom, brother, aunts, uncles and cousins. I met a few of them in passing the last 16 years. How do I, a friend of the desease, help the family? Is offering to wash the kids clothes inappropriate? Or any other every day duties like that? I just don’t know his family well and they don’t know me. I don’t want to over step.

    2
    • Diana M  July 13, 2019 at 9:11 pm Reply

      Since you met people in passing, don’t offer to do something too personal such as washing clothes, however you could send a gift card for food or something along those lines. When our son died I appreciated my neighbor cutting my grass but would not have felt comfortable with her doing my laundry as we were not good friends.

      2
  29. Joanna Steele  February 27, 2019 at 6:17 pm Reply

    My sister and 3 brothers died also my cousin
    Were all in their sixties
    Have had to go it alone not one of my family have asked how I am
    I know I’m still grieving for each one of them
    Feel no one respects the death of a loved one or they don’t know what to say
    But just a visit now and again would help it would know that they were thinking of me

    3
    • Linda J Kirby  May 28, 2019 at 2:39 pm Reply

      I am sad reading this even five months after your loss. I am sorry for your loss, and the way your family members have left you feeling alone. That is so wrong of them to do so..I hope your doing better, and hope they have reached out to you after your post here God bless you

      3
  30. Lori  January 24, 2019 at 9:52 pm Reply

    A very nice article, it will be almost 2 years since my sister was killed, not only my sister, my best friend. Sometimes I don’t think I can do this anymore, it is so hard without my sister and best friend. Nobody comes around, nobody even talk about her at the memorial, I guess they thought it was an obligation to come.

    2
    • Laura  October 6, 2019 at 9:43 pm Reply

      Lori,
      I’m so sad to read that you feel so alone and unsupported. I lost my sister 20 years ago and she was my best friend in the world and it was like the world slipped off its axis. Everything changed. I didn’t have very many people who could listen or relate to what I was going through. I ended up getting a grief counsellor and going to bereavement groups and finding people who would listen (new friends). But it wasn’t easy. I did a lot of journalling to get my feelings out, wrote poems, and wrote letters to my sister in my journal to tell her how I missed her and loved her.
      People are afraid of grief sometimes and even if they care, they don’t know how to support us or even approach us because either they just don’t understand it (how could they?) or they are afraid of doing the wrong thing. Especially if the death was particularly traumatic. They may not even be able to deal with their own feelings about the situation. Even my husband, who knows me better than anyone now that my sister is gone, often doesn’t know what to do or say, even now 20 years later. That’s pretty normal. It’s unfortunate, but normal.
      It can feel pretty lonely dealing with grief – only we had that special relationship with our sisters and only we know how hard it is to live without them. No one else had the same relationships we had with them.
      I hope that you do find someone who can relate a little – someone who has had a profound loss – that you can talk to and tell them about your sister and how special she was. As time went on I did find friends like that – usually people who had been through their own profound loss.
      I’m sorry you are having such a difficult time. My thoughts are with you.

      4
  31. Mary Nichols  January 22, 2019 at 2:17 pm Reply

    Thank you, this is great. I find a lot of my family and friends have a hard time just saying his name. They feel like it is going to remind me that he’s gone. I know he’s gone, I think about it every second of every day. Jeff, Jeff, Jeff, just say his name, tell me your memories of him, tell me the funny stories. I miss every aspect of his being, help me by talking about him.

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    • Cheryl  February 22, 2019 at 10:23 pm Reply

      I’ve said this same thing almost word-for-word! I’m glad Jeff lived and was special to you. I know you miss him terribly. ?

  32. John  March 30, 2018 at 9:31 am Reply

    The most important to me is “ Do not disappear.” At the time in someone’s life that needs all the support they can get.

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  33. John  March 30, 2018 at 9:31 am Reply

    The most important to me is “ Do not disappear.” At the time in someone’s life that needs all the support they can get.

  34. sylvie  October 26, 2017 at 5:46 pm Reply

    Please don’t keep asking me if I am going to a grief group, or telling me all about them. I know they are there. They are amazing supports for many. But please don’t try to ease your own angst about how I am doing by assuming that if I am in a grief group all is well and taken care of. I am doing my work, my way, with those around me, books, music and experiences that I need.

  35. sylvie  October 26, 2017 at 5:46 pm Reply

    Please don’t keep asking me if I am going to a grief group, or telling me all about them. I know they are there. They are amazing supports for many. But please don’t try to ease your own angst about how I am doing by assuming that if I am in a grief group all is well and taken care of. I am doing my work, my way, with those around me, books, music and experiences that I need.

    • Nicki Cosby  May 31, 2019 at 4:49 am Reply

      Hi Sylvie,
      I agree.

      Take care

  36. Susan  June 19, 2017 at 12:30 pm Reply

    Sorry. Not all or perhaps any of these ideas help some people. For me they just have intense irritation. I wished them and still do wish people would keep out of my life most of the time. Even now, 19 months from his death if I do something supposedly nice I drop to the bottom of an abyss the next day and days after. Nothing I do gives me pleasure. I do it, it ends, that’s it. No pleasure no memories worth holding

    1
    • Kristi  November 19, 2017 at 9:13 am Reply

      Wish I was there to just sit with you in the room and say and do nothing. But just to let you know that should you need or want anything (food, a hug, conversation, a pillow to throw at me) I am there for you.

  37. Jill Malcolm  December 6, 2016 at 7:51 pm Reply

    Incredibly helpful article! When my Dad died flowers and cards meant so much. It showed people cared. Prayers are so sweet too. One of my friends from South America knew I was having a hard day as my Dad’s birthday was approaching. She said in her culture the family would gather and make that person’s favorite meal and celebrate their life. I liked that and I do it every year now. And going on long walks and talking helps too. Thank you!

  38. Patricia  November 17, 2016 at 6:42 pm Reply

    Well done and needed for so many.
    Just lost my husband of 46 years less then 3 months ago. Many people at the service offered their help – anything I needed. There were at least a dozen people who said they would be in touch soon and come to help. In 3 months 2 cousins have come to my home. One cousin took me out for a drive to a beautiful fall location, stopped for lunch and then browsed through a shop she knew I loved and it was the first time anyone had said, do you want to go out somewhere just to give you a change and some fresh air. She cleared everything with me first which is so important as what may seem like such a good idea to the person trying to help, it may be too much for the grieving person. The other cousin came and just sat and talked about so many things that Jim and myself did together. How many friends he had and that everyone loved him. There were some tears but there was also some smiles. She stayed for the whole day and promised she would be back the following week and perhaps we could go out if I was up to it. I was able to get some sleep for the first time without crying myself to sleep. Such a simple thing brought me such a time of comfort.

    This article had so many things that I have thought before. Where did everywhere go? I did not realize how many people did back off either because they were uncomfortable or did not know when or what was appropriate.

    I think a small booklet giving the thoughts and ideas that was explained so well here, would be a wonderful addition in an appropriate place where the service is held. So many that could be thinking the same questions could find it so very helpful.

    . My very best friend since we were in high school came to the funeral and then she just disappeared. That hurt me so much. I finally, thinking something must be wrong on her end, decided to phone her just to be certain all was ok and when I did it was so strange as she never even asked how I was doing nor gave me an explanation as to why I had not heard from her. We are close as sisters but it was so evident how uncomfortable my phone call had made her feel.

    This is such a very,very important list of ideas and feelings that it needs to be spread to as many as possible.

    I have many days that I cry all day long being alone most all the time. Part of me died with him and I am certain the hole in my heart can never be filled.

    My brother flew in from Colorado and stayed for two weeks and my two daughters were such a gift as they took over everything from notifying people, to accompanying me to the funeral home to plan everything, from preparing a beautiful slide presentation in two parts of the home that played quietly in the background with their father’s life from his growing years to our wedding, graduations of his daughters, their weddings, and each grandchild (all six of them) in many stages. They were the most important part of our lives now and gifts from God.

    I was so grateful for all that was done to make the worst days of my life bearable and even my grandchildren took part.

    In closing though, Come the time that they each had to return to their lives,that the loneliness and the fact that he was gone forever hit me full force. This is the time I feel that the friends and family members are most needed. I still wake in the morning and for a brief moment think I hear his voice in the other room and the tears begin again.

    3
  39. Nail Polish Society  November 8, 2016 at 11:48 pm Reply

    Thank you for this! I’ve always felt that this was a huge weakness of mine, not knowing how to help, so I often do nothing. I’m saving this and will refer to it often!

  40. Trish  November 8, 2016 at 7:47 am Reply

    “Being there” really is so important. After my husband died (I was 32 with 2 very small boys), my sister moved in – even into my bed to help me with the middle of the night feedings/changings with a newborn, to help drive, sort mail, write thank you notes, etc. She was an angel. Dear friends came over, ate with me, went to the store with me, laughed and cried with me. My husband’s friends came over one Saturday and did yardwork and little things around the house. I also remember when my mom’s best friend’s teenage son suddenly died, my mom just went to her friend’s house to just “be there” with her. She brought her mail and listened to the radio and made her lunch so her friend was not alone. Attending a support group is, I believe, key to healing. Grieving with peer support on a consistent basis is cathartic and I have witnessed people emerging from their cave of grief. In the end, grief sucks. It just does. But when you have some tools to help navigate this journey, it certainly makes it a bit easier.

  41. Leah  November 7, 2016 at 10:45 pm Reply

    We just talked about this in a grief group tonight. Even when you have gone through it, it’s hard to know what to say or do.

  42. Sienna  November 7, 2016 at 10:16 pm Reply

    Lovely & important work, thank you for sharing this.

  43. Jan O'Brien  November 7, 2016 at 9:41 pm Reply

    Very good. I want people to acknowledge the “hole” in my life. I don’t want to be told to remember the “good times” and that she’s in a better place. I know that and I do remember the good times, but I’m here and she’s not.

    • Linda A Miller  November 25, 2016 at 9:50 pm Reply

      Wow, do I ever understand what you mean a “hole” left in your life. I keep telling people,” I just miss him so much.” My brother was taken from me to soon. Thank you for expressing that.

  44. Mary Weis  November 7, 2016 at 10:27 am Reply

    I loved this article! We feel so supported and blessed because of all the beautiful support we received–including flowers! The people who reached out us made us feel so cared about. Words can’t really express their presence in my life.

  45. Laird  November 7, 2016 at 9:20 am Reply

    Outstanding piece!

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