Grief is something that almost everyone will go through from time to time. It could be due to the loss of a loved one, losing a job, ending a relationship, or something else entirely. It can be tough to deal with, especially alone.
If someone you know is experiencing grief, you want to be there for them. Not only that, but you want to come at things from an empathetic place. You want to truly understand and resonate with their feelings, and identify ways to help. This guide is going to go through a few ways that you can show empathy and love to those in your life who may be struggling.
Send Them Some Flowers
If someone in your life is grieving, take time to show compassion with sympathy flower arrangement. Giving someone flowers is incredibly kind, and almost everyone appreciates the gift. Flowers can always put a smile on people’s faces and can improve the look of their home or room at the same time.
No matter the preferences of the grieving loved one, you can surely find a flower they will adore. Flowers come in all different shapes, sizes, and scents, and can be given as a bouquet, a single stem, or even an arrangement. You can hand deliver the flowers if you so choose, but there are plenty of options for ordering flowers online and getting them delivered directly, as well.
Flowers are also incredibly easy to find and can be a very budget-friendly gift, too. Of course, be sure to learn about the best flowers to express condolences. Flowers can each have their own meanings, and you certainly don’t want to give someone flowers that are too happy or positive for the situation.
Give Them Another Gift
While flowers are a popular choice to lift spirits and make someone smile, they aren’t the only gift that you can give. There are plenty of other options that can put your grieving loved one in a better mood and put a smile on their face.
You can give them a gift basket full of their favorite things, a book to help them with their grief, a gift certificate for a spa day, some of their favorite food and drink, or any number of other things. The exact gift you get depends on the individual and the things that they like and/or appreciate. It doesn’t need to be a huge or expensive gift to be appreciated, either.
Call Them or Send Them a Text
While a gift can be a nice touch, it isn’t required if your goal is to show empathy and compassion for a grieving loved one. A simple text or call can often be all you need to do to show you care and are there for someone.
Make sure to be as warm and kind as possible on the phone or with the tone of your message. Say that you are sorry for their loss and that you are always there for them. Don’t feel the need to turn this into a conversation unless they are ready for that and initiate it.
The act of being kind is a habit that can change your life, so don’t hesitate to reach out to those struggling and show them that you care and are there for them. A call or text takes nothing but a few minutes but can have a massive positive impact.
Help Them Out With Things
Another great way to show you care and are there for someone is simply by offering to help them out with things. Everyone grieves differently, but it is often very hard to live your normal life when you are struggling with grief. This means your work, household, and various other aspects of your life can struggle.
Those in grief often need additional help but might have too much pride to ask for it. It is often up to you to make the offer to help people out with things to lighten the load. This could be offering to cook them dinner, helping out with cleaning their home, caring for their yard, or even watching their pets for a while.
Doing these sorts of things can allow people the time and space they need to truly recover, without having to worry about other things getting done.
Pay Them a Visit (If They’re Open to it)
Of course, another great option is to pay them a visit and be there for them. Sometimes, having a nice in-person conversation can work wonders for someone who is grieving. It can feel great knowing you have people there for you who you can rely on when things get difficult.
When visiting them, be sure to keep your body language in mind. You want to be as warm, inviting, and engaged as possible. You need to give them your full attention and listen to them. If you are not paying attention to them or barely listening to what they are saying, your visit might end up doing more harm than good.
Also, pay attention to theirs to make sure they are not uncomfortable. If they seem uncomfortable that you are there or are acting reserved, don’t hesitate to leave and give them space if that’s what they desire. Don’t overstay your welcome and make sure to read the signs on if they’d like you to leave, even if they don’t explicitly ask you.
As we mentioned earlier, everyone grieves differently. Not everyone will be okay with seeing others in person while they are grieving, so you never want to put too much pressure on someone to let you come over if you know they are struggling. Work at their pace, and never rush them into doing anything.
In conclusion, we hope this article has been able to help you learn a few great ways to show empathy to a loved one who is grieving or dealing with a loss.
