Expressions of Sympathy
A friend has experienced the death of someone loved. You want to help, but you are
not sure how to go about it. This article will guide you in ways to turn your cares
and concerns into positive actions.
Listen with your heart
Helping begins with your ability to be an active listener.
Your physical presence and desire to listen without judging are critical helping
tools. Don't worry so much about what you will say. Just concentrate on listening
to the words that are being shared with you.
Your friend may relate the same story about the death over and over again. Listen
attentively each time. Realize this repetition is part of your friend's healing
process. Simply listen and understand.
Be compassionate
Give your friend permission to express his or her feelings without
fear of criticism. Learn from your friend; don't instruct or set expectations
about how he or she should respond. Never say, "I know just how you feel."
You don't. Think about your helper role as someone who "walks with,"
not "behind" or "in front of" the one who is mourning.
Allow your friend to experience all the hurt, sorrow and pain that he or she is
feeling at the time. Enter into your friend's feelings, but never try to take
them away. And recognize that tears are a natural and appropriate expression of
the pain associated with the death.
Avoid clichés
Words, particularly clichés, can be extremely painful for a grieving
friend. Clichés are trite comments often intended to diminish the loss by providing
simple solutions to difficult realities. Comments like, "You are holding up
so well," "Time heals all wounds," "Think of all you still have
to be thankful for" or "Just be happy that he's out of his pain"
are not constructive. Instead, they hurt and make a friend's journey through
grief more difficult.
Understand the uniqueness of grief
Keep in mind that your friend's grief is
unique. No one will respond to the death of someone loved in exactly the same way.
While it may be possible to talk about similar phases shared by grieving people,
everyone is different and shaped by experiences in their own unique lives.
Because the grief experience is also unique, be patient. The process of grief takes
a long time, so allow your friend to proceed at his or her own pace. Don't force
your own timetable for healing. Don't criticize what you believe is inappropriate
behavior. And while you should create opportunities for personal interaction, don't
force the situation if your grieving friend resists.
Offer practical help
Preparing food, washing clothes, cleaning the house or answering
the telephone are just a few of the practical ways of showing you care. And, just
as with your presence, this support is needed at the time of the death and in the
weeks and months ahead.
Make contact
Your presence at the funeral is important. As a ritual, the funeral
provides an opportunity for you to express your love and concern at this time of
need. As you pay tribute to a life that is now passed, you have a chance to support
grieving friends and family. At the funeral, a touch of your hand, a look in your
eye or even a hug often communicates more than any words could ever say.
Don't just attend the funeral then disappear, however. Remain available in the
weeks and months to come, as well. Remember that your grieving friend may need you
more later on than at the time of the funeral. A brief visit or a telephone call
in the days that follow are usually appreciated.
Write a personal note
Sympathy cards express your concern, but there is no substitute
for your personal written words. What do you say?
Share a favorite memory of the person who died. Relate the special qualities that
you valued in him or her. These words will often be a loving gift to your grieving
friend, words that will be reread and remembered for years. Use the name of the
person who has died either in your personal note or when you talk to your friend.
Hearing that name can be comforting, and it confirms that you have not forgotten
this important person who was so much a part of your friend's life.
Be aware of holidays and anniversaries
Your friend may have a difficult time during
special occasions like holidays and anniversaries. These events emphasize the absence
of the person who has died. Respect this pain as a natural extension of the grief
process. Learn from it. And, most importantly, never try to take away the hurt.
Your friend and the family of the person who died sometimes create special traditions
surrounding these events. Your role? Perhaps you can help organize such a remembrance
or attend one if you are invited.
Understanding the importance of the loss
Remember that the death of someone loved
is a shattering experience. As a result of this death, your friend's life is
under reconstruction. Consider the significance of the loss and be gentle and compassionate
in all of your helping efforts.
"While the above guidelines will be helpful, it is important to recognize that
helping a grieving friend will not be an easy task. You may have to give more concern,
time and love that you ever knew you had. But this effort will be more than worth
it. By 'walking with' your friend in grief, you are giving one of life's
most precious gifts - yourself."
About the Author
Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt is a noted author, educator and grief counselor.
He serves as director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition in Fort Collins,
Colorado and presents numerous workshops each year across North America. Among his
many bestselling books are "Understanding Your Grief", "Healing a
Friend's Grieving Heart" and "The Mourner's Book of Hope".
For more information visit the website: centerforloss.com or phone 970-226-6050.
You can reach out to Dr. Wolfelt directly at DrWolfelt@centerforloss.com