It’s often hard to know what to say or do when someone you care about is grieving. You may be afraid of intruding, saying the wrong thing, or making the person feel even worse. Or maybe you feel there’s little you can do to make things better. While you can’t take away the pain of the loss, you can provide much needed comfort and support. There are many ways to help a grieving friend or family member, starting with letting the person know you care.

• Help the bereaved person contact friends and family to let them know of the funeral arrangements
• Be a good listener, make yourself available and really listen.
• Send a note or card showing the bereaved person that you are thinking of them and will be there for them if they need anything.
• Phone or call in to see how the bereaved person is coping.
• Attending the funeral or memorial service can be a real help.  Having friends around at this sad time can mean the world to the bereaved person.
• Offer to carry out everyday tasks, eg. Shopping, walking the dog, doing the school run etc.
• Try to encourage the bereaved person to get out of the house for an hour or so a week, eg. Going for a walk or exercising to help endorphin levels.
• Be understanding, allow time for the grieving process. Just be there to offer any support you can.
• If you feel they need professional help, offer to attend a support group to show your support.
• Birthdays, anniversaries etc of the deceased can be extremely difficult times. Send a card or make a phonecall to reassure them they are not on their own.
• Keep reminding them that although they have lost a loved one, they still have family and friends that care about them.