Providing comfort to someone who is grieving can be a tricky task. Many people are unsure of what they can do to help their loved ones or friends after a funeral has passed. While it may never feel like you are doing enough, here are some practical tips for providing the best emotional and physical support you can.

3 Techniques to Help Someone Who Is Grieving

1. Be the One to Start Talking

When selecting a place to have a conversation with the bereaved, pick somewhere quiet and at least semi-private. Start off by asking questions that have a clear answer, such as how the deceased died or how the funeral arrangements went.

Use the past tense when talking about the deceased, but don’t press too hard if the person has trouble answering a question. Ask them about how their friends and family are doing, too. It is often easier for people to start talking about others first rather than themselves. 

2. Help Them Articulate & Process Their Emotions 

There is no right or wrong way to respond to the death of a loved one. But often grief is conflated with other emotions, such as guilt or anger.

As such, it can be helpful to get the bereaved talking about how they are handling the grief—to encourage them to articulate their emotions. Ask them about how they are reacting in their day to day lives. What active steps have they taken since the funeral to cope with their grief? 

3. Check-In on the Tangible Basics

One of the best steps to take for a friend or loved one who is grieving is to check-in and make sure they are physically taking care of themselves. Grief is an exhausting process. If the bereaved is not eating, sleeping, or drinking enough water, this can only prolong and deepen their pain.

Encourage them to forgive and have patience with themselves as they adjust back to normal life. Suggest little tasks and daily routines to take that adjustment slowly. Be prepared to offer information like the number for a grief counselor or support group. When a person is grieving or depressed, they sometimes know they need help but find themselves incapable of seeking it. This is where you can help by making that support easy and accessible. 

Cornwell Funeral Home in Dardanelle, AR, is a fourth-generation owned funeral home that has been providing compassionate burial and memorial services since 1898. They are committed to helping each family that comes through their door, whether through funeral arrangements, cremation and memorial services, or grief counseling. Their devoted, knowledgeable staff can help you create a personalized service that properly celebrates the life of your loved one. For more information on what they can do, call (479) 229-2524 or visit their website.