How to Let Someone Know a Loved One Has Died
Have you ever had the responsibility of informing a family member about the death of another relative? It’s not the sort of duty anyone would covet. You’ll be dealing with shock after hearing the news yourself and will face stress at having to be the bearer of bad news to family and friends. But it’s something that must be done ahead of the St. Johns, OH cremations services or funeral services. Here are some tips to help you deliver the news of a death in the family.
Be Kind But Be Clear
If you have to be the one to tell others of a death in the family, you might as well do it right. This will mean carefully choosing the words you use and the tone you employ. Make no mistake about it — the recipients of the bad news will be dealt a blow when they hear what has happened. Even if the deceased had been sick for some time and was not expected to pull through, you can still be sure that the finality of the situation will hit hard. But in being kind, be sure that you’re not ambiguous.
As you deliver the news, you need to ensure that the recipients of the information understand the cold, hard reality…and that is that a loved one has died. You should avoid the following if you truly want to be effective:
- Using Euphemisms. You should steer clear of using terms such as “passed away” or “fell asleep” when delivering news of a death in the family. If even one person is misled by these terms, then you will have done that person a disservice.
- Straying from the Topic. When informing others of a death in the family, focus on the topic at hand. It might be easy to stray into talking about something more pleasant. But you should avoid this and stick to the central message.
Don’t Delay
It’s always easy to put off doing something unpleasant. But it’s best to deliver news of a death in the family sooner rather than later. After all, if the roles were reversed, you would appreciate being informed quickly if someone in your family died. This is one situation where the Golden Rule – do unto others as you would have them do unto you – applies.
Tell Them in Person (if Possible)
If you live close to the people you need to inform of a death in the family, it’s always best to tell them in person. However, if the people live far away, then you’ll have to deliver the news via phone or by some other means. Just be sure to do it in as personable a way as is possible.
After a death in the family, the task of spreading the news may very well fall on your shoulders. It won’t be the most pleasant responsibility you’ve ever taken on, but it will be an important one. Once you’ve informed family and loved ones, you’ll need to start thinking about funeral services or cremation services in St. John, OH. Eley Funeral Home & Crematory, located at 1102 Lincoln Ave, Wapakoneta, OH 45895, can help you plan the perfect final send-off for your loved one. We specialize in helping grieving families to plan cremations and funerals. Allow our skilled professionals to assist you in planning the right body disposition for your deceased relative. You can reach us at (419) 738-7676 for a free consultation.
