Experiencing the death of a loved one is a life-changing event. When someone that you care about loses someone that they love, you might wonder what you can do to ease their grief. Everyone copes differently, and it’s important to keep that in mind during this sensitive time. In the days before the funeral, and in the aftermath, there are several steps you can take to help. Here is what you should know.

How to Help Someone Who Is Grieving

1. Fulfill Their Needs

People who are grieving are not always capable of expressing what they need. They may not even realize, for example, that they’re running low on groceries or need someone to prepare dinner for the kids in the evening. Normal day-to-day activities can lose meaning and importance, and this is completely understandable. Instead of asking them what they need, try to gauge what they may need. Bring over some food, take out the trash, or walk the dog. These mindful activities can be helpful when the person is busy making plans for the funeral or memorial service.

2. Provide Your Support

The pain of losing a loved one can be very raw and deep for those in mourning, and it’s important to be respectful of those very complicated emotions. Allow your friend or loved one to cry, vent, or sit in silence. Offer your compassion, your energy, and your heart. Simply being present is far more important than struggling to come up with the right words to say. Your presence will be an enormous solace.

3. Check On Them Later

After the funeral, everything slowly starts to return to normal for everyone else. But for the person who is grieving, they may feel disconnected from the world, and might not be particularly interested in getting back to their old routines. Some people might prefer to dive back into their regular schedules. Grief has no expiration date, however, and the person’s pain will not come to an end simply because the funeral is over. Make sure to check in on your friend or loved one periodically. See what they might need, offer your continued support, and be there. It will make all the difference.
 

Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home provides families throughout Canandaigua, NY, with reliable and compassionate support during their time of grief. Serving the community for more than a century, the staff at this long-standing funeral home will work closely with you to arrange a funeral service for your loved one. They can also assist with memorial service or cremation planning. Visit them online to find out more about these offerings, or call them at (585) 394-4280.