A Guide To Showing Up For A Grieving Loved One

If your loved one is grieving, you’ll know better than anyone that they need help and support. Showing up for somebody who is grieving isn’t the easiest thing in the world, but your support will mean a lot to them and could help them to further move through the stages of grief. Below, we’ll take a look at how you can show up for your grieving loved one:

Talk To Them

Talking to your loved one is one of the best things you can do for them. Talk to them about their feelings, and let them talk about their loved one for as long as they need to. Sometimes they may simply want you to sit in silence with them, so be prepared for that, too. Try not to refer to your own experiences, as that likely won’t help them. They need to talk to move through their grief, so just be a good listener and ask questions. 

Help Them To Find Support

You aren’t a licensed professional (we assume), so consider helping your loved one to find some professional support. Counseling could be a good way to help them move through difficult emotions. You can hold space for the person you love and show up for them, but without proper training, you may not always say or do the right thing. It’s not your job alone to help them move forward, and this can be a big weight to carry. 

Do Things To Take Their Mind Off It 

One of the best things you can do is give ideas to take their mind off it. You could paint with them, go for a walk, or do something else that could be therapeutic to them. Sometimes they may simply need to sit and feel sad, but other times, they may need somebody to do things with them. 

Offer Physical Support 

Physical support could be cooking them dinner, going shopping for them, or even helping them to find jewelry for cremation ashes from Memorials.com. Ask them what they need and make sure they know you are there for them. Bear in mind they may not always tell you what they need, so try to be thoughtful without overstepping the mark. 

Accept Their Feelings

Accept your loved one’s feelings and don’t try to make them feel better with platitudes like ‘Everything happens for a reason’. Just listen. Saying the wrong thing could seriously upset them or make them feel like their feelings are invalid. Validating them is one of the most powerful things you can do right now.  

Watch Out For Warning Signs Of A Serious Mental Health Issue 

Grief can sometimes progress into depression and other mental health issues. Look out for the signs and make sure you get help for your loved one if you feel it is needed. Working through these heavy emotions isn’t always possible without professional help. 

Showing up for a grieving loved one isn’t the easiest task in the world, but you could make such a big difference to their lives if you do.