If you know someone who has suffered a loss, and you’re looking for what to say to someone who is grieving, here are seven helpful suggestions from Goings, Graces. These quotes are taken from the thoughtful post entitled, “What to say when there is nothing to say.” Continue reading 7 Tips for What to Say to Someone Who is Grieving
Handling grief when a loved one passes can be difficult enough for us grown-ups, and talking to children about death can be more difficult still. Yet children too must grieve, and helping a child through the loss of a loved one, be it a sibling, parent, grandparent or friend, doesn’t have to be intimidating. Continue reading Talking to Children About Death
Over the last few years, social media sites like MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and many others have become a part of our everyday lives. We use these sites to share some of the major moments in our lives with our friends and the world. But what happens to those accounts after someone dies? Continue reading Death and Social Networking Accounts
It’s hard to know what to say in a sympathy card to someone who has recently suffered a great loss. Recently we came across this from Paul Tautges’ Counseling One Another blog:
PERMISSION: Give them permission to grieve or be shocked. Use words that communicate freedom to experience and release pain.
The pain of your loss is greater when your heart has been touched deeply and your life affected more profoundly by the one you have loved.
We are never prepared for the loss of a loved one, but God’s grace and mercy are new every morning. He is faithful in times of grief and He, with His Word and His children, will strengthen you in the days of head.
HONESTY: If you don’t know what to say then admit it. Don’t feel pressured to come up with some profound word that does not represent the real you. Include brief Scripture quotations of comfort. (Remember, the one thing Job’s “comforters” did right is they sat with him for one week w/o saying a word. Your unspoken presence will also mean the world to those who grieve)
If we knew what to say, we would not know how to say it. We are asking God to give grace running over as you and your family deal with this difficult hour.
EMPATHY: Show them you understand without actually saying, “I understand what you are going through.”
I was deeply saddened to hear of your mother’s death. I lost my own mother in a similarly unexpected way and I well remember the sense of shock. I pray the comfort of the Spirit of Christ will be with you and your family, especially your little ones who will be without their grandmother at Christmas.
ASSISTANCE: Open your ears to listen to them and your heart to serve them.
My deepest sympathy to you in the passing of your mom. Having gone through this just two years ago I understand and share your pain. I always thought the passing of an elderly parent would not be that hard. But I found out I was wrong; it is. Waves of emotions or memories wash over often when least expected. Trust me. It does get better with time. If you ever need a brother just to listen, feel free to call me any time. I am here for you.
You can read the whole thing here. If you’re looking for ideas for an epitaph or engraved memorial, try here.
