If a friend or relative is going through a period of grief then it’s important to understand how you can best help them. It’s crucial to keep in mind that different people will grieve differently so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach that will work for everybody.
That being said, these are some of the most common and best-received ways you can help your friend or relative.
Time is Everything
The most important thing to do if your friend or relative is going through a period of grief is to make it absolutely clear that you’re willing to put as much time aside for them as they need. You don’t need to go off planning endless activities and events to keep them distracted. Equally, you don’t need to surrender all your free time.
What people often forget is that it’s the offer that counts. They might choose not to take you up on the offer but they’ll know they have somebody there and that’s what will help them in both the short and long term. Just make sure you have the capacity to put time into helping your friend or relative because the worst thing would be to offer time in good faith but then to fail to find that time when it’s needed.
Hear Them, Don’t Just Listen
It’s also important to think about how you’re communicating with this person and this largely comes down to how open they are to talk about their feelings. Ultimately, however, you want to really hear what your friend or relative is saying. Don’t listen for the sake of it or have what you want to say in mind before they’ve even finished talking.
Instead, sit still and patiently allow them to express their emotions. It’s also important to embrace silences. Rather than replying to what they have to say right away, take a moment to soak in what it means. Then you can curate a better reply and one which will impact them much more positively than simply relating to them by comparing to your own experiences or by offering generic advice and comfort.
Help Prepare the Funeral
One way you can be supportive is by offering to help with organising the funeral. There are a lot of jobs that need doing in the run up to a funeral and it’s usually in a limited time frame. Your friend or relative will really appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Here at
Normington & Sons, we understand the sensitivity that comes with loved ones passing away. As a family-run business with over 60 years of experience in the field, we put our clients first and ensure that all their needs are met. If you have any further questions about our services and how we can help you or a friend or relative, then don’t hesitate to
get in touch with us by calling us on 01226 700 760 today – we’re open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!
