What Can I Do For A Friend That’s Grieving

Greetings!
It has been awhile since I’ve blogged. This thing called life keeps moving…ready or not. I have a TicTok page called Hands On Death where I give some life experience advice on handling the waves of grief. If you are interested, please follow me on TicTok and also Youtube under the same name, Hands On Death. Yes, this is a shameless plug!
I get this question a lot. What Can I Do For A Friend That’s Grieving? I consider myself a Grief Educator. Sometimes it is hard navigating the different emotions and different waves of grief because we do not want to sound silly for saying something hurtful so we don’t say anything at all, at times. I’ve come up with 10 things you can do to support a friend who is grieving:

1. Be present: Simply being there for your friend can make a big difference. Let them know that you’re there to listen if they want to talk or just to sit in silence if they need it. Sometimes that is exactly what is needed.

2. Actively Listen: Give your friend space to express their feelings and emotions, without interrupting or trying to offer solutions. There is nothing you can fix. Your friend is grieving and by being an active listener, you are validating their emotions. This is much appreciated.

3. Show empathy: Try to understand what your friend is going through by putting yourself in their shoes. Show them that you understand their pain and that you’re there for them. Remember empathy does not begin with the words “Well at least…”

4. Offer practical help: Grieving can be exhausting, and your friend may appreciate practical help, such as bringing meals, washing dishes, a surprise lunch date, cleaning a room in the house. Take it from me, it is a tremendous help.

5. Respect their privacy: While it’s important to be there for your friend, it’s also important to respect their privacy and give them space when they need it. Please do not share intimate details with others that your friend has shared with you.

6. Help them create a support system: Encourage your friend to reach out to other friends, family members, counselors, or grief coaches for support. You can also help them connect with grief support groups or give helpful website resources or books to read.

7. Remember the person they lost: Say their loved one’s name. Share stories and memories of the person your friend lost, if you can. Celebrate their life and the impact they had on others.

8. Be patient: Grieving is a process, and it can take time. Be patient with your friend and understand that their emotions may be up and down on a daily, monthly, or even a yearly basis. Allow your friend to ride the different waves of grief.

9. Send a thoughtful gift: Send a thoughtful gift or card, or gift card that shows your friend that you’re thinking of them and that you care.

10. Check in: Keep in touch with your friend and check in regularly by calling or texting. Let them know that you’re there for them and that you care about their well-being.

In closing, just remember losing a loved one can be a challenging and heartbreaking experience, but supporting a friend through their grief can also be a meaningful and uplifting process. By simply being present and listening actively, showing empathy, and offering practical help, you can make a significant difference in their lives. I can tell you from experience it is very much needed and appreciated. This thing called life is crazy at times and you never know when you will need someone in YOUR corner.

Respectfully,

The Grief Educator
LOVE CONCURES ALL!