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As you move through life with your spouse or significant other, seeing them happy may become one of life’s great joys. So when they lose a family member or friend, watching them cope with loss can be a true challenge. While it’s not your responsibility to “fix” their pain, you can be there to help them work through their grief and find peace. After the funeral service has passed and your daily life resumes, use these three tips to help your partner heal.

3 Ways to Help Your Partner Grieve a Loss

1. Learn to Ride the Waves

When dealing with loss, the path to healing is never linear—in fact, your loved one’s emotional and mental states might seem more like a roller coaster. As a caring partner, it’s important to be prepared for sudden shifts—they may have three weeks of steady growth, followed by a week of regression.

They may also experience different extremes in the same day, such as wanting to be left alone in the morning and enjoy talking at night. When emotions surface, be ready to drop what you’re doing and listen, and then when to back away and let them have space. With a bit of patience, your flexibility can play a significant role in their grieving and healing process.

2. Create Space for Their Emotional Energy

Funeral serviceAfter the loss of a parent or dear friend, grief can often feel overwhelming. Instead of making dinner or mowing the lawn, your partner may have to devote all of their energy to sitting down and processing these emotions.

While you can’t diminish their feelings, you can step in to take care of those practical, physical to-dos that might be eating away at their free time. Instead of waiting for them to ask, offer to pick up take-out for the evening, or start mowing the grass yourself.

3. Keep Checking In

After a few days of hearing “I’d rather not talk about it,” you may feel like it’s not worth pushing your partner to open up. However, letting them know that you’re thinking about their emotional state is just as important as improving it.

Every few days, check in with your loved one, and ask them how they’re feeling right now. Some days, this may encourage them to open up about feelings they’d been bottling up inside. Other days, it may simply serve as a reminder that you love them and will be there when they’re ready to talk.

 

If your partner has recently lost a loved one, reach out to Dennis George Funeral Home of Cleves, OH. They can help you plan a funeral service for your partner’s friend or relative, so they can start the grieving process off on the right foot. From burial to cremation, they are willing to cater to each client’s preferences. To learn more about their funeral service options, visit the website or call (513) 941-6700 to schedule an appointment.

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