Offer to help in practical ways

• Help with funeral arrangements and other rituals. Once the funeral is over and the other mourners are gone, your support is more valuable than ever.

Don’t say “Let me know if there’s anything I can do,”

It is difficult for grieving people to ask for help. They might feel guilty about being a burden to others, or be too depressed to ask.
You can show the grieving person that you care by offering practical help, such as:

• Shop for groceries.
• Take care of some of their housework such as cleaning or clothes washing.
• Make tea/ coffee for them.
• Drop off a casserole with pre-cooked meals that only need to be reheated.
• Watch their children and pick up the children from school.
• Stay in your loved one’s home to take phone calls and receive guests.
• cut the lawn.
• Help with insurance forms or bills, bank work or other administrative work.
• Drive your loved one wherever they need to go.
• Look after your loved one’s pets.
• Introduce them to a support group and go with them for the meeting.
• Accompany them on a walk.
• Take them to lunch, a movie, meditation or yoga classes
• Share an activity of their interest like a sport, art work.
(Be mindful that they may not want you to support them in a particular way and their requests should be respected).
•Try to be consistent in your Assistance.

Provide ongoing support

You don’t “get over” the death of a loved one. Grieving process often lasts much longer than most people expect. The pain of bereavement may never fully heal. Be sensitive to the fact that life may never feel the same. They may need your support for months or even years.

        Stay in touch with the grieving person, periodically checking in, dropping by.

• Offer extra support on special days that will be particularly difficult for the person to bear such as anniversaries, birthdays and Holidays. Be sensitive on these occasions offer your support.

Watch for warning signs of depression

Encourage the grieving person to seek Professional Medical help if you observe any of the following warning signs after the initial grieving period especially if it’s been over two months since the death.

• Difficulty functioning in daily life.
• Extreme focus on the death.
• Excessive bitterness, anger, or guilt.
• Neglecting personal hygiene.
• Alcohol or drug abuse.
• Inability to enjoy life.
• Hallucinations.
• Withdrawing from others.
• Constant feelings of hopelessness.
• Talking about dying or suicide.