Losing a loved one is an immediate, life-altering situation—and the ensuing grief can linger for months or years to come.
When a family member or friend is coping with grief, it can be difficult knowing when and how to step in to help. What do you do? What do you say? Should you say anything at all?
Although there is no single perfect sentence to say that will ease their suffering, sometimes the best way to comfort someone during the grief stages is to be a good listener. Listening can comfort and reassure the one grieving. It lets them know that if they need support, they have it.
Continue reading to learn the importance of listening, why it can be the best act of support you can take when someone is coping with grief and some tips on how to be a good listener.
Being an active listener involves more thought and effort than you may first think.
Active listening is making a conscious effort to understand what someone else is saying. Unlike most conversations when we often listen to respond, focus on understanding what the person's words and body language is telling you.
When someone is actively listening, they are almost exclusively focused on what the other person is saying. The following tips will ensure you’re being a good active listener when communicating with a grieving friend or family member:
There will be times where you must be the good listener, but also times where you’re the one coping with grief. Milano Monuments provides several grief-related resources as well as memorialization and monument content in our weekly blog. Subscribe today to get these helpful resources and articles delivered straight to your inbox.