Tips to Comfort a Grieving Friend
If a friend loses a family member and is in mourning, you’ll want to do something to help. But as is the case with many in your shoes, you might not know exactly what to do or say to them. Both before and after the funeral service at a St. Johns, OH funeral home, you will want to be there for them. Here’s a look at some things you can do to help out a friend who is grieving a loss.
Reach Out to Them
Don’t wait for them to reach out to you. Be a friend and reach out to them to covey your empathy and sympathy. You don’t want to overwhelm them, of course. But you don’t want to abandon them either. If you know the person really well, you’ll know how to establish contact. You might want to give them a quick call just to check up on them and to listen to whatever they want to say. Let them do most of the talking. They’ll appreciate your taking an interest in what they’re experiencing.
Lend a Helping Hand
Give them a hand. Don’t make the mistake of calling and asking if they “need anything.” More often than not, they’ll answer in the negative if you present such a vague offer. But if you make a specific request, they may be more receptive. So you might ask them if they need help doing groceries, taking their dog out for a walk, fixing meals, or something along these lines. The closer you are to your grieving friend, the more likely they’ll be to take you up on your kind offer.
Listen But Don’t Judge
Your grieving friend will be going through a rollercoaster of emotions due to what they’ve gone through. What you need to do is avoid philosophizing on everything they say. So when they speak about their deceased loved one, steer clear of comments like “they’re in a better place” or “their work was done here, so God took them.” You might mean to bring comfort, but your grieving friend might find your words to be insensitive. It’s better to listen to what they have to say since letting them talk and express their feelings will help them to heal.
Stay in Touch
Remember that the grieving process is different for everyone. So stay in touch so that your grieving friend knows you care. And don’t hesitate to recommend that they seek help if they seem to be slipping into a depression.
When you need professional assistance from a funeral home serving St. Johns, OH families, we’re here to help. We specialize in assisting families and individuals with their funeral service or cremation service planning. Our funeral director will explain the entire process so that you know exactly what’s involved. They’ll answer questions, offer tips and recommendations, and equip you with the information you need to make the right decisions for you and your family. For the help you need, get in touch with us to speak to our funeral director or to another member of our staff.
