How To Help a Friend With the Passing of a Loved One
Life is never easy. One day, things might be going well, while the next could be a total disaster. What makes it even worse is when it’s happening to someone you know and care about. The death of a loved one is extremely difficult for the person going through it, but at times, it can be just as hard for their friends who want to help them through it.
Fortunately, there are little things you can do to assist them in their time of need. If you are looking for ways to do this for someone close to you, then you’ll want to check out our guide on how to help a friend with the passing of a loved one.
Be Available To Them
Honestly, one of the best things you can do in this trying time for them is to make yourself available. Depending on who it was that died, they might feel very alone right now. Simply showing up and being a shoulder to cry on or watching their favorite show with them can mean the world in a time like this. Once they’re willing to talk, you will be there, ready to hear them out.
Don’t Talk, Listen
Once your friend does start talking, try not to take over the conversation. Obviously, you’ll need to chat some in order for it to feel like a conversation, but don’t interrupt them or go off on a tangent. Focus more on listening. Respond when you need to, and don’t make it too long-winded. They need to get some things off their chest. Plus, listening to what they have to say now will help you better prepare for all of our following tips.
Try Not To Give Them Advice
Everybody grieves differently. Even if you went through something similar in your lifetime, that doesn’t mean your friend will want to handle it the same way as you did. As long as they’re not endangering their life or the lives of others, you need to let them do it their way.
After a few months have passed, if they’re still grieving in the same way with no results, then it might be time to step in and assist them. If you can’t seem to get through to them, suggest that they seek therapy. They will likely resist, but they will eventually give in if you help them realize that what they’re doing isn’t working.
Help Them With Things When They Ask
The final step in our guide on how to help a friend with the passing of a loved one is only to intervene when they ask you for help. In order for them to heal properly, they have to feel in charge of their lives. For example, if their loved one died due to an accident or someone else’s negligence, they will need to deal with a lot of legal materials. Clearly, you can’t do it for them, but helping them understand the elements in a wrongful death case is certainly the least you can do for them.
If they don’t ask for help, keep the things that you do for them small. They probably want to feel self-sufficient, but they would definitely appreciate the little things you do to help out.