Grief & Loss

What’s the best way to help a grieving friend?

If you have a friend who has experienced the loss of a loved one, your first instinct is to help.

But that first impulse is quickly tempered by a second thought: Maybe I need to give them space. Perhaps they want to be alone, and besides, I wouldn’t know what to say. And I certainly don’t want to say something hurtful and insensitive on accident….

So the question is, How can I help a grieving friend while honoring what they are feeling right now?

Below, we have three very helpful tips followed by 10 specific ways to support your grieving friend.

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The 5 stages of grief provides an easy-to-remember blueprint that helps us understand the grieving process.

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What does “R.I.P.” mean? Do people still say it? What’s the best way to express the wish that a loved one may rest in peace?

If you or someone you know has lost a loved one, it’s appropriate to put words to your wish that they may be at peace, wherever they are now.

Here are 101 rest in peace quotes to honor the memory of a special person.

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“Normal” grief? Yes, grief is normal. And we are all bound to deal with grief in our lives.

Whether you are in the grieving process, or helping a friend or loved one cope with grief, here is a bit of information that may be beneficial.

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Have you ever wondered if your loved one celebrates Christmas in heaven?

Buried under that question is usually another: How can I celebrate Christmas when my loved one is gone?

Some days, it may not seem possible. Other days you might find that all you want to do is to think of your loved one spending Christmas in heaven with Jesus. For Christians mourning the loss of a loved one, that is the most comforting thought of all.

Below we’ve gathered and even invented some truly meaningful Christmas memorial ideas. These poems, ornaments, and tributes can help your honor the memory of a loved one who is in heaven.

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New Year’s Eve, often synonymous with a fresh start and togetherness, can be incredibly challenging for grieving family members.

As the whole world anticipates the New Year, you or your loved one may find themselves grappling with the pain of grief, the memories of past celebrations, and the absence of loved ones who once filled these cherished moments.

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“My husband died and I want him back. He was the love of my life, my best friend, my soul mate, my life partner, my companion.” 

It’s a highly personal, yet also very common response to the loss of a spouse.

After your husband’s passing, it’s only natural to want him back. But for some, the enormity of grief keeps the surviving spouse from growing, grieving, and living life in a healthy way.

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Today we are going to address prolonged grief. Grief is one of the hardest journeys you will ever go on, and it is even harder when you feel trapped in an overwhelming sense of sadness for a very long time.

We will all walk the path of grief at least once in our lives. Whether you lose a loved one or a beloved pet, a job, a friendship, or whether going through a breakup or some other type of loss, grief is inevitable.

Have you ever felt stuck along the way? How do you get out of that “rut”? Can you recover from grief when it just seems hopeless?

I will be answering these questions and more. Continue to read and learn about prolonged grief and how to work through it.

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Finding the perfect condolence gift for someone enduring the loss of father can be difficult. 

If your friend or loved one was very close to their father, this loss will be hitting them pretty hard. Even if they weren’t that close to their dad, there’s no doubt they’ve still lost a monumental figure in their life.

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