Grief doesn’t end when you’re done with the service at funeral homes Willoughby Hills, OH. Grieving the loss of a friend or a family member who suffered from a terminal disease is one of the most difficult tasks. It’s more of a process than a one-time event as the grief begins well before the death.

Seeing the loved one on the deathbed when the time comes can make your friend empty and helpless. The grief it accompanies is complicated and he or she needs your support more than ever. Below are some of the things you should (and shouldn’t) do to help them navigate through the grief.

What Should You Not Do

1. Don’t Keep a Distance

The primary caregiver feels a rollercoaster of mixed emotions ranging from guilt and anger to sadness and anxiety. In such tumultuous times, they need your emotional love and support. Spend some time with them and provide a listening ear to their sorrow.

2. Don’t Avoid Talking About the Deceased

Many people shy from talking about the lost loved one with the bereaved – and quite understandably. But psychologists conjure that listening to the name of the lost loved one provides solace and comfort to the bereaved family.

Mention the deceased by name, highlight their contributions to the community, and elucidate how great of a person they were both as a family member and as a citizen. Also, encourage the grieving person to talk about the lost loved one.

3. Avoid Taking Control Over the Conversation

Be a good listener and non-judgmental. Don’t try to take charge of the conversation and let the bereaved talk as much as they want. While having a conversation, keep the below points in mind:

Don’t compare the loss with your own or other people’s losses. Clichés like “I know exactly how you’re feeling as I have recently lost an aunt to it” do no good.

Don’t say, “At least, the loved one is no more suffering” or “He or she is in a better place now.” It can aggravate the pain for the bereaved.

Even if the family is religious, avoid saying, “God doesn’t give you more than you can bear. You will find peace soon.”

What Should You Do

1. Keep in Touch

Even after the funeral or memorial service, stay in touch with the bereaved. The first couple of weeks after the loss are hardest and without any external support, a person can plunge into anxiety and depression.

2. Help Do Household Chores

Doing the household chores is the last thing a grieving person would want to do after losing an important person in life – but most people decline it. Anyway, offer your assistance in chores such as cooking, running errands, and taking care of the children’s school shifts.

3. Send Flowers

Even today, sending flowers is a great way to express your condolences as well as unconditional support and love to the bereaved. Sending your good wishes can make them feel positive and motivated.

You can choose to offer a donation or monetary compensation by having their house cleaned, delivered groceries to their home, or even to funeral homes Willoughby Hills, OH.