5 Ways You Can Support A Loved One Though The Grieving Process
Comforting a bereaved family member or friend can be a difficult task. It is difficult to know what to say or do to help them get through this difficult period in their lives. Grief can bring up buried feelings and have a significant influence on the bereaved. It is helpful to understand that navigating the grieving process might bring up a variety of emotions, causing them to act out of character or lash out.
It makes no difference if the death was unexpected and they were unable to say their final goodbyes, or if they knew their loved one didn't have much time left and were able to express their affection for them while they were still alive. It is always a difficult time for everyone, and you must be mindful of their circumstances in order to be able to help them during this hard time.
Knowing how to support someone who has lost a loved one can be difficult because there is no one perfect way to grieve. It's critical to address any thoughts of apprehension or discomfort right away in order to avoid them preventing you from reaching out and helping someone who is grieving.
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5 Ways You Can Support A Loved One Though The Grieving Process
Listen and be there
All of us deal with grief differently, and everyone needs to find a way to go through this painful moment in their own unique way. You should keep the door open to let them vent and work through their emotions because there isn't a one-size-fits-all mourning blueprint.
Your loved one is likely to experience a wide spectrum of emotions that swing from one extreme to another. Try not to take any negative emotions towards you personally, and be prepared to listen to them and to be there when they need to offload, talk, cry or just be with someone. Remember, it is not about you… put your own feelings aside for a whole and focus on helping them to manage theirs.
Acknowledge the event and their feelings
One of the worst things that you can do for most bereaved people is to pretend the death has not happened and brush it off for fear of upsetting them even further or having to have awkward conversations. You must ensure that you are supporting them in acknowledging the circumstance and that they are aware that you are available to speak with them whenever they need support. In a situation like this, listening may be more important than initiating a conversation. However, do not shy away from talking about it or mentioning the name of the deceased. Let them know they can talk to you about them.
Look at how you can celebrate their loved one
While nothing is more important than happy memories of the person who is no longer here, some people find it comforting and reassuring to have a physical reminder of the person - something that brings memories to life. It might be a bench in their favorite spot, or cremation jewelry for ashes, or a candle that they can light. Help them to find a way to remember the person they are grieving for.
Give them some practical support
When you are in the depths of grief and mourning, sometimes many things that need to be done just to survive and get through the day are overlooked, from eating and getting in shopping, taking the children to school to paying bills, or walking the dog. Providing the practical support can allow them to focus on their feelings and emotions and find ways of dealing with those, while someone looks after other things in their life. They may also need support with planning funerals and contacting the relevant authorities. Helping them to do this can be a huge weight off their shoulders.
Give them time
Grief has no set time limit. Many people's grief and anguish over the loss of a loved one never fully goes away. With the passage of time, it becomes simpler to get through each day.
Allowing yourself the patience to be there for them whenever and for as long as they need you can benefit someone who is grieving. Whatever it takes and as long it takes, they will be aware that you are present.
Sometimes, they may push you away because they need time and space alone, to be able to face up to the new reality of life without their loved ones. Do not take this personally - it is sometimes a big step towards dealing with things.