Comforting the bereaved can seem overwhelming, however it really is possible. Instead of trying to cheer up a grieving friend, focus on being supportive and helpful. Part of being supportive is understanding grief.
When it comes to offering words of sympathy, even close friends are at a loss for words. You may be wondering if you should say something. You might be worried about saying the wrong thing or coming across as insincere.
When it comes to knowing how to express sympathy many people are at a loss for words. Expressing sympathy can seem overwhelming at first glance, but when you look at from the perspective of what you would want if you were the one grieving, it can really put things into perspective. Most grieving individuals simply …
How to Express Sympathy: What to Say & What Not to Say Read More »
Sympathy and Empathy are closely related yet different. Sympathy will cause you to care enough to want to help a grieving friend. It will fill you with compassion and pity, but empathy will enable you to be understanding and share in another’s feelings. Sympathy and empathy combined can help you provide the right kind of …
How to Show Sympathy and Empathy to Comfort a Grieving Friend Read More »
Grief is a normal and healthy way to respond to a loss. Understanding the grieving process will help you to provide support to a grieving friend or family member. Most people go through these stages along the journey of accepting a loss: Shock or disbelief Denial Bargaining Guilt Anger Depression Acceptance and hope Symptoms of …
What You Need to Know About the Grieving Process to Comfort the Bereaved Read More »
A grieving child needs to be free to express her feelings and to be sad. If family members are unwilling to mourn or unable to talk about feelings the child may think it is unacceptable to grieve. Sometimes adults want to shield children from sorrow and so they pretend that everything is fine. This can …
How to Help a Grieving Child Read More »
Words of encouragement can brighten somebody’s day and help them get through a hard time. Whether you send a hand-written letter, a quick e-card or even just post a quote on a friend’s Facebook wall, you can be a wonderful source of encouragement just be letting somebody know that you are thinking of them today. …
Words of Encouragement & Support Read More »
Many of us struggle to find words of comfort for a grieving friend. Most people are not comfortable around hurting individuals. It can be difficult to strike the balance between being sensitive and being overly concerned about a hurting loved one. Grieving individuals sometimes wish that their friends and family would not feel awkward around …
Offering Words of Comfort to a Grieving Friend Read More »
During each stage of grief the needs of the bereaved vary. However you can help a loved one along the path towards healing by simply supporting them as they grieve. Not trying to diminish their grief, but helping them go through the grief process. By understanding a few basic things about grief will help you …
Stages of Grieving: How You Can Help Read More »
Infant loss, stillbirth, and miscarriage are perhaps the most difficult times to offer words of sympathy. I cannot tell you very many things you can say to help parents who are experiencing this heartache, but I can tell you that simple gestures and acknowledgments are desperately needed for bereaved parents to cope with the death …
Infant Loss: How to Help Grieving Parents Read More »
Making it easier to express your care and concern with sample words of sympathy and cards.