Ways to Help Your Friends Deal with the Death of a Loved One

Death seems to be the one thing that we’re never prepared for. Though it comes to touch all of our lives at one point or another, we don’t know what to say or do to help someone process it. Nor are we any better equipped by society and experience to handle our own grieving process. If you’re facing the need to help a friend or loved one cope with grief, then the first thing that you need to do is understand that.

Give Yourself

You should also know however, that you do have something to give them, no matter how inadequate you might feel in the face of their grief—yourself. The best thing that you can do for someone who is grieving is to simply be there for them during the incredibly painful transition that they are experiencing. Take your cues from your friend; if they want to talk then you should listen, if they want to reminisce then you should join them, and if they simply want to be then all you can do is be there with them.

Focus on Emotional Honesty

Above all, be honest with your friend. Many people wonder what they can say to a grieving friend or loved one without sounding clichéd or insincere. Still others know that though there is no one right thing to say, there are many wrong ones. If you’re worried then remember to keep it simple with something like “I’m sorry for your loss” and never to try and ‘govern’ the grieving process by suggesting how your friend should feel or act.

Be a Household Helper

Though your time and care are the most important gifts you can give a grieving friend, you may want to provide some more tangible assistance as well. In this case, look around and try to fulfill needs that aren’t being met with as little fuss and bother as possible. Many people bring food so that grievers don’t need to cook. You can expand on this by relieving your friend of other little household tasks that might be going undone. Grief is neither easily nor quickly healed, but with the support of friends and family, it can be eased and processed.

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