Supporting someone through the grieving process

It can be hard to see someone suffering through grief, particularly if you yourself are also experiencing similar emotions. Some forms of help you can offer include:

· Being prepared to listen to them talk is a vital part of supporting the bereaved.

· Allow them to cry, shout, or even remain silent; don’t feel the need to offer platitudes (such as, “They’re in a better place now,”) as these can be quite unhelpful and, at times, upsetting.

· Encourage them to engage in leisure activities, even if they feel that this is somehow wrong because the deceased is no longer there to enjoy them.

· Offer practical help as well as kind words. Doing the shopping, collecting children from school, taking rubbish to the tip etc can all be very welcome forms of support for someone who is just trying to get through another day.

· Try to remember dates or events which will be of extra significance to the bereaved eg wedding anniversaries, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day. These will all be particularly difficult so just a phone call to say that you haven’t forgotten them will mean a lot.