Losing a loved one is a complex and indescribable experience. The grief and incredible wave of emotions that follow such a loss can be even more difficult to process or put into words. That’s why offering your support is crucial when a family member must navigate the tumultuous waters of bereavement.
Explore this brief guide to discover simple strategies you can use to reach out to your grieving loved ones to let them know they have your unconditional love and support.
Make an Effort
Making an effort for your loved ones is one of the best things you can do to support them in their time of need. This doesn’t have to mean doing anything too extravagant. Simply calling them to see how they’re doing or asking how you can support them is more than enough.
If they’re up for it, you might stop by their house to have a cup of coffee and chat about how things have been going. You could also send them a sympathy gift. The idea is to try to show your support through a gesture you deem most appropriate.
Offer Practical Assistance
Speaking of gestures, one of the kindest ways you can support a grieving family member is by offering practical assistance. Usually, we feel inclined to dote on our loved ones by sending them gift baskets and flowers. And these are wonderful gifts. But sometimes, offering something practical is more beneficial for your family member.
For instance, you might choose to:
- Cook meals for your family members a few times a week
- Clean, organize, or help with housework
- Help them with funeral arrangements and other tasks
- Help with monthly expenses, if appropriate
Offering up acts of service can be more helpful than you know. Don’t be afraid to show your support by helping your loved one with these tasks.
Acknowledge and Respect Their Feelings
Most importantly, ensure that you are taking care to acknowledge and respect the feelings of your loved one. If they want to stay in the house and cry, sit with them. If they want to go for a silent walk, offer to accompany them. If they want to be left alone to process their emotions, give them the space they ask for.
Grief is different for everyone. But one thing that remains a constant is the need to express our emotional experiences genuinely. So, make sure you support your grieving family member by allowing them to process their emotions in a way that makes the most sense to them.
