What to do for a grieving friend
- Call. Say “I’m so sorry.”
- Reach out. Find the time to pay a visit.
- Bring dinner or invite your friend for dinner.
- Be a good listener. Avoid such comments as “I know just how you feel.” You cannot really know how someone else feels. Allow for silence.
- Do mention the deceased person. Share memories.
- Allow for tears. They are a natural way of expressing hurt.
- Offer to go with your friend on simple routine errands. Be specific in your offers of help. Avoid such comments as “Call if you need anything.”
- Avoid setting time limits on grief. You cannot really know the depth of someone else’s wound.
- Be there. Sundays and holidays can be intolerably lonely times for the bereaved.
- Be loving – a hug or a squeeze of your hand means more than you can ever imagine.
Courtesy of Hospice Services of Howard County, Columbia, Maryland.
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