In our grief ministry, we have had the opportunity to listen to people share things they felt they needed most in their journey. Here at Western Hills we have suffered so many losses recently. I thought it might be helpful to share just a few of the things we’ve learned over the last 20 years. Tips for Caring for the Grieving
Be present. You don’t have to have the answers or say the perfect thing. Often just an “I’m here for you” or “I love you”, or even a hug or your own tears convey exactly what is needed.
Be a good listener without judging. Grieving people often feel things that we might think they shouldn’t feel, like anger and guilt. Feelings are neither good nor bad, and being able to share those feelings freely helps the healing process.
Be specific in your offer to help. Grieving people can feel overwhelmed and may not know offhand what they need; and even if they do, sometimes it’s just hard to ask! Try “Can I drive you to…”, or “I want to bring supper on…”, etc.
Be a patient, supportive friend. The loss of a loved one is not something we deal with for just a few weeks or even months. But with God’s power as well as time, supportive friends and family can make a world of difference in healing.
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