How To Support Someone Going Through Grief

When we think about grief, we often associate it with the loss of a loved one, but it can reach far beyond bereavement.

Grief can be the result of any significant loss or event. This might involve losing a loved one, going through a breakup, receiving a terminal diagnosis, feeling a loss of identity if you’re unable to work, or facing a decline in lifestyle or financial status.

Grief can touch your emotions, physical wellbeing, thoughts, behaviours and social connections. The experience can be incredibly challenging for the person suffering the loss, but it can also be tough to watch someone you care about struggle through it.

If a loved one is grieving, it’s natural to want to offer your support and comfort but you may not know how to do so.
Here are some ideas to help you support them as best you can.

Have empathy
People grieve in different ways and what helps them might not be what would help you. Try to reserve judgment and offer support for whatever way they deal with their grief.

Listen
The natural response is to want to try to fix the problem. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for grief and giving opinions on how someone should view their loss is unhelpful and sometimes harmful. Rather, let the person unload their feelings without the need to interrupt or offer advice.

Offer practical support
Offer to do practical things, such as cooking meals, caring for their children or pets, or running errands. This will take the pressure off them and allow them more space and time to work through their emotions.

Check in regularly
Their grief doesn’t end once the traumatic event is over. Remember to continue to check in and invite them to join you in activities that they enjoy.

Respect their process
Respect their wishes and boundaries, and don’t pressure them to do anything they’re not ready for. Be patient and understanding of their process.

Many life insurance policies have grief support built into their offerings – if you have any questions about specific policies, we are happy to help. If you’d like to get peace of mind that you and your loved ones may be financially supported through the best and worst of times, HPartners can help you find a life insurance policy that works for you.

Talk to us today.

Any advice is general in nature only and has been prepared without considering your needs, objectives or financial situation. Before acting on it, you should consider its appropriateness for you, having regard to those factors. Before making any decision about whether to acquire a financial product, you should obtain the Product Disclosure Statement.