How to support a grieving family.

January 10, 2012 4:14am CST
Sadly I lost a friend to a long battle with cancer last night, her husband and teenage children are without any extended family in the area and will rely on some of us for the next while. Two things: 1 - Can you tell me of things that friends and family have done for you in similar circumstances that really helped at the time: large, small, immediately, over days, weeks, months, whatever. We'll sort out food, the pets and cleaning the house but what else can we do? 2 - Any advice on striking the right balance between giving them their space to grieve and being there to support to them?
5 responses
@arjunm (439)
• India
23 Jan 12
Most of times spend with some grieving family. we should console them as much as possible so that they overcome from the whole facts for whom they grief.it is our primary duty to obey, respect support to their every words. we feel equal pain with them that they have faces.
@yanzalong (18983)
• Indonesia
11 Jan 12
Well, it depends on how close you are. Best friend or jus a friend.? If you can not give financial support, then your being around there would be helpful to the mourning family. I don't know for how many days you have to be there. Again it depends on the existing traditions.
• India
10 Jan 12
Its a very difficult thing to replace a loved lost one. But as friends you can give the grieving family the much needed moral support especially the teenage children they need the most of the support that they can get. Visit their house every now and then and have a talk with the children, take them out to some places where they feel refreshed. This should help them a bit.
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
10 Jan 12
It's sad losing someone in the family. It was really nice of you to help them out. I think what the family needs at the moment is your moral support more than anything else. You have to show them that life must go on to them.
@arjunm (439)
• India
11 Jan 12
First & foremost, don't be over intrusive. They have the right to mourn privately the loss of their beloved one. If you want to help actively, that should only start after a couple of weeks. Don't try to do everything for them. Concentrate on something concrete and singular to start with. For example, you can take the kids to school. For a grieving father, it would be a huge help. If your schedule doesn't allow that, do something else. Start the process of helping slowly and incrementally. The important thing to remember is that the kids should not be pressed into thinking that you are forcefully trying to take the place of their mother.