The passing of a spouse is a loss unlike any other. If you have a parent who is in the midst of grief and tasked with planning a memorial service for their husband or wife, there are ways you can help relieve their burden. The list below provides ideas for taking items off their to-do list and providing them with as much comfort as possible. 

Strategies for Helping a Grief Stricken Parent 

1. Assist With Planning the Memorial Service 

Planning a cremation or funeral with a memorial service comes with many decisions. Your parent will need to consider details like cremation urns or caskets, last wishes, and flower arrangements. Sadness, stress, and lack of sleep make these choices more difficult. Ask your mom or dad if you can do the work for them, so they can focus on taking care of themselves. 

2. Take Care of Essential Tasks 

In addition to planning the memorial, your loved one may need to talk with the county medical examiner, hospice staff, or hospital physicians. They will also need to break the news to family and friends and notify financial institutions and government authorities. By reviewing and completing this checklist for who to contact and which forms to fill out, no one will have to worry if they’re getting everything done. 

3. Enlist Friends and Family  

It’s understandable if you cannot complete every activity on your own. Ask family and friends if they can help you run errands, cook meals, or bring items to the funeral home. By delegating simple tasks, you can focus on taking care of important paperwork and being there for your parent’s physical and emotional needs. 

4. Attend to Their Basic Needs 

Remind your mom or dad to rest and encourage them to sleep as much as they can. Ensure they are eating three meals a day and taking any necessary medication. Help them with refilling prescriptions and remembering doctor’s appointments. Listen to their concerns and be there for them when they’re down. 

5. Remember the Good Times 

When your parent is especially blue, remind them about the precious memories you share. Talk about their spouse’s personality, strengths, and achievements. Reminisce about family vacations, important milestones, and funny occurrences. Chatting will allow you to bond through your grief and help each other through the most difficult moments. 

When you need to help a parent cope with the loss of their spouse, Brown Funeral Homes & Cremations of Berkeley County, WV, is here for you. They've provided the community with compassion, comfort, and helpful guidance in the planning of cremation services and funeral arrangements since 1880. If you have immediate needs, they are available to attend to you 24 hours a day. To discuss your family’s wishes and requirements for a memorial service, call them at (304) 263-8896. Browse an overview of their services and learn more about their staff by visiting their website.