Bidding the final farewell to a loved one after cremation services Waite Hill, OH, is one of the most difficult things one can ever experience and it unleashes a rollercoaster of complicated and painful emotions. At such a time, our mourning friend or a family member needs our support more than ever.

What is Empathy?

Anyone can show sympathy with the bereaved, but being empathetic is a whole other story. In simple words, sympathy is feeling for someone while empathy is feeling with someone. That is empathy is the ability to understand and feel the emotions of someone and share their grief.

The mourning person receives sympathy from many, but empathy may be what they truly need and also expect from close friends and family. Let us discuss how you can be more empathetic

Put Yourself in Their Shoes

Grief often overwhelms a person with a range of emotions, mostly negative. At times, they may act you or behave differently but you need to understand the complexity of the situation. Practicing empathy often starts with imagining yourself in your position and thinking in the same perspective.

When you imagine that you had lost a loved one and find yourself at the receiving end of those powerful, raw emotions, you might able to understand the pain your loved one is going through. It can help you reach deep down and develop a more profound and close relation with the bereaved and share their pain.

Empathy Begins with Listening

One of the best things you can do to show empathy to your friend is by being a good listener. Listen to what they have to say about their loss and the feelings it accompanied. Don’t interrupt them and wait until they are done talking.

Even if they repeat the same story or feeling, avoid making them feel like you already know it. Give an impression that you acknowledge their emotions and grief and want to share them. Remember, grief significantly affects consciousness and the person may talk about things that sound illogical. But listen to them without being judgmental and without trying to share a similar story of your own.

Better Engage with Them

The easiest way to be empathetic is by engaging with the mourner on a deeper level. You can ask general questions to begin the conversation, such as:

“I’m sorry to hear about that.”

“I can’t believe the (name) has left us.”

“Your loved one will always be remembered.”

“He/she was such a great guy and lived life to the fullest. Their contributions to the society would never be forgotten.”

You can say one or more of the above or similar lines to initiate the conversation and go along.

Offer Practical Support

After giving empathetic condolences, ask them if there is anything you could do for them. Many people refrain to accept help but you should identify what the loved one needs at the moment and provide it to them.

You can have necessary grocery items, cooked meals, or even cash delivered to their house. Also, you can run errands for them and have their house cleaned. Try to be especially helpful after cremation services Waite Hill, OH, because that’s when other people in their lives may step away.