How to Support a Loved One Who Is Grieving While Maintaining Social Distance

With social distancing guidelines in place, friends and family have to find alternative ways to support someone who is grieving during COVID-19. Despite all the changes that are happening in Chicago, IL, the need for love and support remains the same. Keep reading for small yet impactful tips on how to support someone in grief during lockdown.

Acknowledge the grief

Grief is normal when loved ones pass away, and everyone experiences it at some point in their lives. No one wants to feel grief, but pretending it’s not there does nothing to help someone who’s suffered from a loss. Support someone who is grieving during COVID-19 by letting them know they can always reach out to you.

Unfortunately, nothing can expedite the healing process. Don’t stress about saying the wrong thing or coming up with a unique message. People who have suffered a loss just want friends and family to lend support in any way they can. What matters most is that you’re acknowledging their grief, not running away from it.

Validate their feelings

It’s hard to watch friends and family suffer from the death of a loved one. Many people feel compelled to do everything in their power to make the sadness go away. Despite such good intentions, you can’t make grief magically disappear. In fact, convincing them to stop being sad will aggravate the situation.

Support someone in grief during lockdown by letting them feel and express their feelings. Lend a sympathetic ear and remember there’s no right or wrong way to heal from loss. Your friend needs time to process a complex range of emotions and to receive validation along the way.

Send your condolences

Again, you don’t have to sound original. A quick text message may be all it takes to let a friend know they have your support. Since it’s not safe to visit people’s homes in Chicago, IL right now, you’ll have to support someone who is grieving during COVID-19 in ways that don’t involve physical contact.

A message as simple as “I’m here for you” can brighten someone’s day and possibly open the door to a conversation about their loss. It serves as a reminder that they don’t have to shoulder the burden of grief alone, and they have a whole network of friends and family who want to help.

Perform acts of kindness

In addition to words of encouragement, there are many ways to support someone in grief during lockdown. Send a care package filled with snacks, essential oils, lighthearted movies and whatever else they would enjoy for a night of relaxation. Use a food delivery service to leave a dish from their favorite Chicago, IL restaurant right on their doorstep. Some friends and family members don’t know how to ask for help, so it’s up to you to look out for them.

There’s no quick and simply way to cure a loved one’s grief. It’s not about making the pain disappear, but sticking by their side through it all. If you’re not sure what to say or how to help, speak with the friendly staff at Marik-Baken Funeral Services Ltd. With decades of experience, we can guide friends and family through the grieving process.

Categorised in: Grief

This post was written by Writer