Question 5 @amandaGL How do you support a loved one experiencing grief?
Our basic human nature is to quickly respond to people who are in distress. However, it’s important to remember that this is something you can’t fix - as nothing you do will bring them back or restore what they’ve lost.
But you can be supportive. Don’t be afraid to say or do the wrong thing - not doing anything is worse. Too often we shy away from people who are grieving - leaving them feeling abandoned when they need us most.
Be led by them – whether they want to talk, cry, be silent or angry… sit in that space with them. If you don’t know what to say be honest; “I have no comprehension of what you’re going through right now but I am here for you”. Please don’t ever say “I know what you’re going through” – this can be very dismissive of a person’s UNIQUE grief experience.
Talk about the person they’ve lost – reminisce about their good qualities and the good times you had with them. Share photos and videos of them, play their favourite music, tell their worst jokes! etc. Just because the person has died doesn’t mean the memory of them should be lost.
And be patient, there is no time limit on grief - no one should ever be pressured to “move on” or “get over it”.
