If a friend or loved one has experienced a loss, it can be difficult to know how to comfort them. Grieving is a long process, and many people are afraid to say the wrong thing. However, there are several thoughtful ways to help your loved one aside from attending the funeral service. The following actions can help them through the grieving process in a healthy way.

How to Offer Support to a Grieving Loved One

Spend Time With Them

After a loss, many people isolate themselves, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need support. Go out of your way to spend time with your loved one after the funeral service, even if you’re not sure what to say to them. Don’t push if they don’t want company that day, but do periodically offer to visit, invite them over, or suggest an outing to get their mind on other things. 

Be Accepting

Grief affects everyone differently. It’s a complex emotion composed of not just sadness, but also anger, regret, pain, guilt, and numbness. People may process these feelings in unexpected ways or have thoughts that might make them feel guilty. Don’t reject or shame your loved one’s emotions, even if they seem unusual. Be open and understanding, and reaffirm that it’s okay to feel what they feel.

Give Practical Help

Leading up to the funeral service and in the first few weeks afterward, your loved one may be overwhelmed and may have difficulty with everyday tasks like eating or keeping a regular schedule. Whenever you can, offer concrete help like providing a meal, cleaning the house, shopping for groceries, and offering rides to work or school.

Bring Joy

Even the deepest grief comes and goes. Your loved one will have moments of calm and happiness, especially as time goes on. Don’t be afraid to make them laugh or share happy memories of the deceased to help them get through the grieving process. 

If you’re planning a funeral service for a friend or loved one, turn to the caring professionals at Sosebee Funeral Home in Canton, GA. For more than 78 years, they have honored the departed with elegant and well-planned funeral and memorial services, including military funerals. They also offer compassionate grief support services to help you and your loved ones process a loss. Visit them online for more tips on expressing sympathy, or call (770) 479-2131 to speak to a member of the team today.