Each of the five stages of grief is important and needed for healing and overcoming loss. I have some tips to share with you for helping a friend heal after the death of a loved one. Listen, observe and look for the good in it.
Your friend may be in the denial or anger stage of grief and your listening to him will allow him to heal. He may not acknowledge the loss, may speak of his loved one as if she is still alive. Helping your friend heal after the death of his loved one means allowing him to vent, verbalize and share his feelings, even though they may seem outlandish to you.
If you notice your friend withdrawing, expressing feelings of hopelessness, numbness or self pity; these are all signs of depression that need to be dealt with. It’s part of the healing process and you can help your friend heal after the death of a loved one by listening to him. If he seems to be out of control, excessively depressed or even suicidal, encourage him to seek professional help.
Accepting loss is not the same as bearing with it. You can help your friend heal after the death of a loved one by focusing on reality. Encourage your friend to reminisce and look for the good times he had with her or the qualities he really loved about her. Point him to God and try to find blessings in the midst of the pain.
A great book I have found to be very helpful in helping a friend of mine heal after loss is Don’t Waste the Painby David Lyons and Linda Lyons Richardson. David and Linda share from their journals how they have dealt with cancer and the death of a loved one. It’s an easy, encouraging read and I highly recommend it.
Your friend may be in the denial or anger stage of grief and your listening to him will allow him to heal. He may not acknowledge the loss, may speak of his loved one as if she is still alive. Helping your friend heal after the death of his loved one means allowing him to vent, verbalize and share his feelings, even though they may seem outlandish to you.
If you notice your friend withdrawing, expressing feelings of hopelessness, numbness or self pity; these are all signs of depression that need to be dealt with. It’s part of the healing process and you can help your friend heal after the death of a loved one by listening to him. If he seems to be out of control, excessively depressed or even suicidal, encourage him to seek professional help.
Accepting loss is not the same as bearing with it. You can help your friend heal after the death of a loved one by focusing on reality. Encourage your friend to reminisce and look for the good times he had with her or the qualities he really loved about her. Point him to God and try to find blessings in the midst of the pain.
A great book I have found to be very helpful in helping a friend of mine heal after loss is Don’t Waste the Painby David Lyons and Linda Lyons Richardson. David and Linda share from their journals how they have dealt with cancer and the death of a loved one. It’s an easy, encouraging read and I highly recommend it.
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