What to Say to Someone Who's Grieving
What to Say to Someone Currently Grieving
Losing someone is never easy. When it happens to someone you know, you want to be there for them and support them through this difficult time. But it can be hard to know what to say or how to act. You want to find the balance between supportive, sensitive, and empathetic, while also giving them their space and privacy if that’s what they want.
If you’re stuck for words, here are a few tips for what to say to someone who’s grieving.
“I’m sorry for your loss”
It’s simple, yet meaningful. You’re not trying to explain or justify what has happened. You’re not trying to make it better. You’re just letting the person know that you are sympathetic and concerned for them.
“I’m always here if you need me”
Whether they need someone to talk to, someone to help with funeral arrangements, to notify friends of the death, or to help around the house while they grieve, it’s important that they know that someone is there for them. Even if they don’t ask for help, it provides them with emotional support by knowing that they still have people who care for them.
“He/she will be missed”
If you knew the deceased personally, then it can help to talk about them if the person going through grief is ready to. It can be uplifting in this difficult time to know that lots of people loved that person and that their impact on the world will be missed. Once your grieving friend is ready to talk about it, sharing fond memories of the deceased can be beneficial.
Saying nothing at all
Sometimes, you don’t need to say anything at all to show your love and support. A kind hug and simply being there for them can be enough. They might not be at the stage where they’re ready to talk about it yet, but you can still provide them with a shoulder to cry on, and they know you’re there and ready to listen if they do want to talk.
Let them feel what they’re feeling
The important thing is to let that person grieve in their own way and to never tell them what to feel. Avoid saying things like “be strong” or “he wouldn’t have wanted you to be sad.” Grief is a terrible feeling and everyone will go through the process slightly differently, so accept their emotions and let them go through it in their own way.
If you’re supporting a loved one through grief, then helping them with funeral planning can help to take this responsibility off their mind while they process their loss. Get in touch with Hayworth Miller for funeral planning and preplanning around Lewisville and Winston Salem.
