How To A Help A Friend Walk Through Grief
When life is good, it’s good to have great people to walk alongside with, to be with, to pray with. The same is true when life is tough. Grief is part of the human experience; there isn’t anyone who doesn’t know grief. This means that every person knows someone who has, who is, or who will be navigating hardship. Here are 3 ways to show up well:
How To A Help A Friend Walk Through Grief
Presence - Sometimes, it’s as simple as being there for someone. Share memories of their loved ones, reminisce about the good times, and acknowledge special occasions like birthdays and holidays, which can be especially painful through grief. Remembrance and reflection can be powerful practices in the healing process. Here’s a practice on building joy, even in the midst of grief.
Support - Rather than assuming, just ask! Be curious about what your friend needs and what would be most helpful to them. Is it helpful to watch their kids or pets, is it helpful to bring meals, is it helpful to accompany them in their errands? Remember, actions speak louder than words.
Listen - Grief comes with a myriad of emotions, without a timeline. Grief also never gets easier. Show up with your friend without offering solutions, judgments, or answers - often, these are not what people are looking for. You can be a unique space for them to express their feelings with vulnerability and without judgment. Here’s a simple, yet helpful tool to check-in emotionally with one another.
Your steady presence, your patient companionship, and your unhurried pace can be helpful to those around you who are journeying through grief and healing.