Losing a loved one is no easy feat. When you’re used to having someone in your life for years, it’s hard to figure out how to manage life without them. Grief can be a potentially all-consuming process that happens in stages. If you have a close friend who is going through the grieving process, you might be at a loss regarding how to support them. Understand that while there is only so much you can do, there are still ways to show you care.
1. Visits
Depending on how close you are to that specific friend, you might want to come to their house, order pizza and sit with them while they cry. Grief is such a terrible feeling and having a comforting loved one around can really help a person get through it. Don’t isolate a person who is grieving. That’s probably one of the worst things you can do. Instead, always check on them. Don’t hover, but make sure they know you’re a phone call and a drive away.
2. A Listening Ear
In cases where there’s grief, an individual just might need a listening ear. Take your friend to dinner and listen to them vent. Allow them to talk through their feelings and get through the ups and downs of their emotions. In many cases, a listening ear is good enough to help them get some pent-up frustration off of their chest. During the first few months after the loss, your listening ear can do so much to help them. If they decide they want to talk about something else, be the listening ear to go to those other subjects with them.
3. Thoughtful Gifts
Sometimes, it’s the thought that counts. Send a gift to let your friend know that you’re always thinking of them and that you’re hoping for the best in their life as they traverse this new path. Send a Starbucks gift card so that they can indulge in their favorite coffee drink. If they love snacks, send over a few candy gift baskets along with a few great movies. Whenever they get down, they can enjoy a movie marathon and sweet treats to go with it.
