Supporting Your Grieving Friends: Checklist
➡ Are you genuinely supporting your bereaved friends in the way they need?
➡ It's common to believe that our efforts are supportive and helpful, but sometimes, they may not be meeting the actual needs of our bereaved friends.
➡ It's a question worth exploring, as the impact of insufficient support can be profound. While this list isn't all-inclusive (nor does it suggest that this is all you need to do), it gives you a baseline to evaluate your current level of support for bereaved friends.
Impact of Insufficient Support:
Isolation: When not adequately supported, grieving individuals may feel isolated and alone in their grief, leading to increased feelings of loneliness and despair.
Emotional Strain: Without adequate support, the grieving process can become overwhelming, leading to heightened emotional distress and difficulty coping with daily life.
Loss of Trust: Insufficient support from friends or loved ones can erode trust and strain relationships, causing further distress for the griever.
Consistent and Ongoing Support:
Beyond Milestones: Remember that grief isn't limited to milestones like birthdays or holidays. It's essential to offer support consistently and regularly, even during ordinary days.
Long-Term Commitment: Grieving is a lifelong journey, and support should be ongoing. Make a long-term commitment to be there for your friend, not just during the initial stages of grief.
Stability in Unpredictability: Providing consistent support makes the unpredictable grief journey a bit more bearable. Knowing that someone is there to listen, empathize, and offer a shoulder to lean on can bring comfort and stability amidst the chaos of grief.
By actively engaging in these supportive behaviors and offering ongoing support, you can make a meaningful difference in your grieving friend's life and help them navigate the difficult path of grief with greater strength and resilience.
Kinyatta E. Gray is a Certified Master Coach, Grief Educator, Author, and Founder of The Heart of Miss Bee, Inc. Gray writes about grief and loss for women grieving the loss of their mothers. The Heart of Miss Bee, Inc. exists to honor the memory of the late Beverly E. Carroll, Kinyatta's Mother.