When a loved one has lost someone important to them, you naturally want to be there for them. However, it isn’t always possible to be physically present if you live too far away. Even if you cannot make it to the funeral service, there are many other ways you can provide valuable grief support from afar. 

How to Provide Grief Support from Far Away

1. Check In

Technology makes it easy to stay in touch with your loved one, even if you are not physically close by. Keep in contact through texts, phone calls, and video chats. You can listen to them when they need to talk about how they feel, reminisce about the deceased, or even just give them some friendly conversation. Sometimes the grief support a person needs is the ear of a good friend who cares. 

2. Send Flowers or a Donation

You can still follow the traditions for a funeral even if you aren’t attending the service. Have flowers delivered either directly to the funeral home or to your loved one’s house. This display of grief support shows your loved one that you’re thinking of them. If they’ve asked for donations to a cause in lieu of flowers, make this donation in the deceased’s name. 

3. Visit in the Future

Your friend will likely receive a great deal of support immediately following the death of their loved one. However, this grief support may decrease over time as others stop checking in with them, meaning that your physical presence may be more valuable a few months down the line rather than right now. Anniversaries, birthdays and holidays can all be tough for someone dealing with the loss of a loved one, so consider visiting them around this time.

When you’re dealing with the loss of a loved one, the right funeral home will provide valuable support during this difficult time. Eackles, Spencer & Norton Funeral Home offers full services for their clients, from funeral planning to grief support. Licensed in West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland and located in Charles Town, WV, they’ve provided their compassionate services since 1918. Learn more about their services online or call (304) 724-6500 to get started.