Grief can be all-consuming and the pain associated with a loved one’s death can be excruciating. If you are watching someone close to you experience bereavement, you may be wondering how you can support and comfort them through this tough time.
In this blog, we’d like to offer practical advice about how to help someone who is grieving.
Before we do however, if you or someone you know needs some professional support, we have a thorough list of Australian and Brisbane organisations in our blog here.
How to Help Someone who is Grieving
Everyone copes with bereavement in their own way, and being present and showing compassion for someone who is experiencing grief may have a significant and positive impact on them.
- Offer to help with day-to-day tasks
Grief may affect a person’s capacity to carry out everyday tasks like washing, cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking and caring for themself and others around them.
They may not even realise they are neglecting their needs or basic tasks, so offering to help with specific errands and household chores may be more beneficial than asking what they need help with.
- Be there for them, be present and listen if they want to talk
Some people may avoid reaching out to a person in mourning as they don’t know what to say or are worried they will say the wrong thing.
However, this shouldn’t prevent you from checking in on a grieving friend or supporting and comforting them. In fact, just being present, sitting with them in silence or listening to them express their feelings may help them more than you realise.
- Be sincere with condolence messages
Finding the right words to say to someone who is experiencing a heart-shattering loss can be extremely difficult.
When you would like to offer your sympathy, try to pick meaningful words that are sincere, express your genuine concerns and show how you can support them.
We share some examples of short condolence messages and offer guidance on composing them in this blog.
- Share memories of their loved one with them
If they are ready to talk about their deceased loved one, you could share happy memories of them or talk about their endearing qualities that you experienced in their presence.
When they appear comfortable discussing their loved one, don’t be afraid to ask questions about their memories or how the person made them feel and why.
- Stay in touch with them and check in after time passes
Grief does not run a straight and direct course – it ebbs and flows. And the feelings associated with grief can be erratic and unpredictable even months or years after their loved one’s passing.
A text, phone call, message online, email or card don’t take much effort to compose, but they could mean the world to someone especially if they are received on a day when they are struggling to cope.
- Remember important dates
Feelings like grief, sorrow and loneliness are going to resurface every now and then after a significant loss, but they will be especially prevalent around important dates like birthdays and anniversaries.
And while life gets busy, reaching out on these important occasions shows that you care and are there for them when they need it.
For more helpful resources, please head to our newsfeed. Or if you’ve got any questions for our funeral directors in Brisbane, please don’t hesitate to reach out today by calling (07) 3217 3088 or message our team here.
Anton Brown Funerals is a family-owned, Queensland funeral company which was established in 1995.
Our Brisbane-based team of funeral directors are honest, professional, compassionate and understanding, and always put our clients and their needs first.
We go above and beyond to ensure your loved one’s funeral arrangements are tailored to their final wishes and can assist you with burials, cremations, coffins, floral arrangements, pre-planning and more.
If you need help organising a dignified funeral service, we are available to discuss arrangements 24/7, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today on (07) 3217 3088 or send us a message online here.
