It’s not about saying the right things. It’s about doing the right things. ~ Unknown
Years ago, my family and I moved to a bucolic little town in New Zealand, where we were immediately swept up into a group of ex-pats and locals. We felt deeply connected to this community by the time I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy in the local hospital.
When our son was three months old, a doctor heard a heart murmur. Twenty-four hours later, he died.
In the days and weeks that followed, I wandered in my own fog of grief as I went about the necessary tasks of ordinary life: shopping for food, taking our other kids to school, doing the usual mounds of laundry.
Meanwhile, my new friends kept their distance. I saw them take great care to avoid me: to cross the street, switch supermarket aisles, literally do an about-face when they saw me coming.
Invitations stopped coming. The phone went silent. My grief was marked by a deeper isolation than I’d ever known.
Later, many of these people apologized. They told me they were terribly sad and distressed about what had happened, but hadn’t known what to say. My loss was so enormous that words seemed inadequate, even pitiful.
They said nothing, out of fear that they would say the wrong thing.
This sort of experience repeats itself in many different forms: a friend gets dumped by the love of her life, a colleague is given notice at a job he’s held for two decades, or a loved one receives the dreaded news that she has inoperable cancer.
What can you say?
While it’s not an easy question to answer, one thing is certain: It’s worse to say nothing than to say the wrong thing. Here are five ways to respond helpfully to people who have suffered an enormous loss.
1. Manage your own feelings first.
When we learn that disaster has befallen a loved one, we initially feel shock. Our heart rate increases, our thoughts either speed up or slow down, and we may experience nausea or dizziness.
The anxiety we feel is real and personal. Our instinct, though, is to ignore it, find ways to numb it or minimize it. That’s a mistake.
If we address our own anxiety first, we’ll be in a much stronger position to respond well to the person most directly affected. Do the things you know how to do to manage stress. A walk in the woods, some meditation or yoga, or talking to a trusted friend can help.
Make sure your own body and emotions are regulated before you turn to the person in grief.
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2. Now focus on the other person.
Remember that the isolation they feel is almost as painful as the shock and the sadness of the loss itself. If you avoid them because you don’t know what to say, this avoidance serves only your needs.
Our friends and other loved ones need our comfort, support, and involvement during times of sorrow.
Although there isn’t a right thing to say, there are some things to never say. They include the current favorite, “Everything happens for a reason,” or “I know just how you feel.” How do you know there’s a reason, and what difference would it make to a grieving person, anyway? And you don’t know how they feel—only they do.
3. Admit that you don’t know what to say.
That’s a good start. Try something simple that breaks the ice and starts a conversation, or at least sends a message to the other person that they’re not alone.
“I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I wish I could say the perfect thing, but I know there’s nothing to fix it. I just wanted you to know I care and am here with you.”
4. Listen.
If the person is willing to talk, listen. It’s the single most vital thing you can do.
Listen to their story without interrupting. Don’t turn the conversation back to you with statements like, “I know what you’re going through—my dog died last year.”
Don’t tell them what they will, or should, feel. Simply acknowledge their pain and listen to what it’s like for them.
We all have different styles of managing shock and distress. Some people are angry, while others seem numb. Still others turn to gallows humor. Your job is not to correct them but to give them space to be the way they need to be.
5. Rather than saying, ”Let me know if I can do anything,” offer to do something practical and specific.
Taking on an ordinary task is often most helpful. Offer to shop for groceries, run errands, drive the kids somewhere, or to cook a meal or two. Ask if you can call tomorrow, or if they want to be left alone for a few days.
When Survey Monkey’s CEO Dave Goldberg died suddenly, his wife, Sheryl Sandberg, wrote the following:
When I am asked, “How are you?” I stop myself from shouting, “My husband died a month ago, how do you think I am?” When I hear “How are you today?” I realize the person knows that the best I can do right now is to get through each day.
Today, as I recall the loss of my own infant son, I think about the one person who did truly comfort me. She arrived at my house with a bottle of fine brandy and said, “This is everyone’s worst nightmare. I am so, so sorry this has happened.”
Then we sat on the lawn and she poured me a drink as she listened to every horrible detail.
As I look back now, I still feel how much her gesture helped me cope through those early days of pain. She didn’t try to fix me or try to make sense of what happened. She didn’t even try to comfort me. The comfort she gave came through her being in it with me.
You can’t fix what happened, but you can sit with someone, side by side, so they don’t feel quite so alone. That requires only intention, a willingness to feel awkward, and an open, listening heart. It’s the one gift that can make a difference.
Feature Image: Artist Unknown.
Read Next: What it Really Means to Hold Space for Someone.
This article was republished with permission from tinybuddha.com.
It’s going to be finish of mine day, however before finish I am reading this fantastic post to improve my
knowledge.
You are planting seeds of peace. What a wonderful thing to do!!!!
Wien my great american love, aother man not even 30 years old, surfered and later died in horrific mc accident, my first thought was: how do I cope with this. There were so many practical things to start with, we had a shared bank account for future life and plans, a goal we determined had worked for. Christmas was close, we were to meet and have a Christmas holiday together, this added of course to the deep despair. Then practical facts, like class C insurance which with some aid was altered to an A class one, yet too late. He waited far too long in the waiting room somewhere, and the lesions, blessings and everything were as bad as they get.
Mom, who despised my homosexuality was the first to offer me help, she came as soon she hard the news, and said, here is 60 000; think twice if you go, or stay. She told me I can’t hardly do anything about the situation, I have to just go on and accept. Fine. I decided not to go, which I am happy now many years later.
My spouse to be was by and by stabilized, transported and came to more advanced care, which was too late, the brain damage, infections, cardiac arrests, broken body…he was put in artificial coma. Lying in USA, me in Europe, I was a nobody, and could not even discuss with his parents, only with his younger brother who really supported me best he could, having his own personal grief.
Then there is practical situation, working, maintaining a home, bills running despite what.
The most devastating was people ignoring me, no one knew how to deal with me, the always happy and smiling considerate guy was now always crying, unhappy, torn, agonized. My boss was a great support and some of my colleagues, they understood how hard it was, and supported me greatly.
The hard part was to convince my -husband- to be’s parents that I am not gonna pay for lengthened life support, even if they wanted to, they did not have money to this at all. I worked three works and used every penny available to make my loves last time decent. Finally his 29 or 30 birthday, he was released from the earthly bonds, and I collapsed after almost two years pushing myself through this all.
The year that followed does not exist, I have no whatsoever flashbacks to this year, it was all empty and dark, I was alone in a place I have never been, and do not want to return. I did not behave destructive in any means, I was determined to find a new life, a new focus, a new me. The hurt, it lingered there as long as the first phase of sorrow, two years. I worked, I ate, I slept, I did my training, I met friends, I participated, but I felt disconnected, I felt alone, and I felt homeless, landless, faceless, nameless…years passed and first after five years after the fact I was somewhat recovered, I started a therapy and recovered by and by. It was like to learn breathe anew, to learn to live again from scratch, coming out of ashes and many more metaphors.
My eyes opened for people tackling through this same, and I volunteered helping parents who had lost their children in accidents, suicide and stuff. It helped me a lot, and instead of getting sad or tearing old wounds open, this helped me to heal. But that was me and my sorrow and my choices. It is highly individual occurrence, there is no sorrow alike the other, it is highly subjective experience, and multi factoria, depending on where you are in your life when all this comes over you.
The ones asking how I was right now, there and then, are still friends. The ones who started with moralistic speeches of gods will and purpose are long gone. And there were the ones who actually shared the grief, like my granny, who cried with me, and talked softly to me, let me speak or remain silent. It had a great value.
The grief is like an iceberg you try to melt down with silent sucks and tears, one need all the caring and loving help in this task.
This year I have lost my husband, my mother in law, my best friend, an uncle I considered a father figure and my step mother. The grief has been overwhelming and I’m not sure how I’m still sane. Everyone has gone away and I have only my kids to talk to. They are going through their own grief. It’s very hard but I know that they are no longer in pain and that helps.
Alana Shaheen, from her own experience, hosts Transformation Talks. This beautiful opening and gathering of many knowing the overwhelming experience with children, as you are sharing
I was going to join the discussion but I feel my views about death and why might be too much for others to hear. My wife is terminally ill and, because she has become violent, I am no longer able to be in her presence. After 44 years together I am now on my own. It is like a death with no closure. I truly believe we live on after dying in the physical world. It is the start of the next great adventure. It is wonderful that people are talking about death. It is the last great taboo in society. One thing I will pass on that helped me, apart from some excellent counselling, is meditation. Many, if not all the answers we seek can be found within. Please give it a go. I wish you well.
beautiful….
Five months my 48 year old son died suddenly. One of my friends called as soon as she heard, asked if she could come over, & did. This was a huge help to me. One other friend came over immediately without calling to see what she could do. Of all my friends, these two were there when I needed them. Others, altho they sent cards, really never spoke to me about my son’s death. I know they probably didn’t know, or were afraid to say something, but they just don’t know how painful it is to have people ignore something that has changed your life forever. Please….say SOMETHING! Kind words count for so much.
Just got through a tough year.
13 months ago her son took his own life, she found him.
The warning signs were all there yet we were all busy and hoped he would get through his depression brough on by a break-up.
Numbness, anger and worst of all having to face people with ‘sad eyes’ and no words. It was like he pulled the pin from a gernade, handed it to her with the room full of family and left. She puts on a brave face and copes one day at a time. All the special days she once looked forward to are now painfull, his birthday, family dinners and Christmas. Her shattered heart makes the best of Christmas only for his younger brothers.
Brian Sky you don’t know how it feels when the happiest day of your life, the birthday of your first born son becomes your saddest. She worked 18 years without missing a day or being late so he had everything he needed, not wanted.
I have stood by her side while a mother lives every mother’s worst nightmare.
Brian Sky you don’t know how it feels.
Really good opens you up to reality rather than masking with something else
I feel really relieved to have read this article, and honoured to have read about these two women’s experiences. I also feel determined to look after myself well, on December 25. An unspeakable and unwritable event occurred in my life, before I could speak. So it is a very apt article, and one that resonates deeply with me, and I’m sure with millions of people around the world.
I know in my heart people don’t mean to be mean or say things that are hurtful. All of us would be better off just saying “I don’t know what to say,” or “there are no words.” I only went off once on a friend who said she was hopeful for the day I would by myself again. I told her , abbreviated version, that person died with my husband, but I was working on figuring who I am now. I really miss my life.
I disagree that it is better to say the wrong thing than to say nothing. When I was 24, my beautiful, loving, awesome mom died. She was 50. Some people said some pretty “wrong” things back then and I still remember them now 28 years later. It did teach me to be more thoughtful about what I say to people who are grieving and mostly I don’t say anything I just give them a hug. So now that friends and family around my age (53) are starting to lose their parents will still say “wrong” things to me like “now I know how you felt back then”. Uh hmm…..let’s see, your mom got to meet your husband, be at your wedding, meet her grandkids, help you through all those milestones. I got none of that. I didn’t get to see my mom enjoy any of her grandkids because she died 3 months before her first grandbaby (my nephew) was born. I have NEVER said the words “I know how you feel” to anyone about anything let alone about their grief over the loss of a loved one.
I went to see a friend after the loss of her child I listened etc she went on to tell me she was going to set up a charity I suggested putting her in touch with another friend who had also lost a child but through different circumstances and had also set up a charity. she asked for details of my other friends loss ( it was 17 prior and I didn’t know her then ) she asked how she copes I said she just gets on with it a day at a time and shrugged my shoulders. A few days later she posted on her new charities page about our conversation although she didn’t name me she took what I said and twisted it after 600 plus comments slamming me I removed myself from the group.i even ended up moving my kids school in the end. Absolutely horrendous.i have even hidden round corners from her it really stopped me from helping others for fear of repocussion
lovely xx
Brian Sky this is not about knowitall you. Go away and don’t add uneededapin by kicking someone who is grieving a devastating loss. Try to grow a heart. You’re a monster.
Terrible article. I stopped at dont say everything happens for a reason. It in fact does. We all go thru hardship. Two choices get bitter or get better. Theres a big difference between sympathy (negative) and empathy (positive). The avove mentioned comment is empathetic excuse me but if i say i know how you feel, i do. Speak for yourself poster. Limited, incorrect articles on coscious sites really urk me. If your not 100 dont put up the info. Opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one. Seek truth only or be ensalved to the merrygoround of nonsense
on august first, i lost my hiking partner of eight years. he chose that day, his 54th birthday, to climb mount nittany and blow his head off.
his son called me at 10:30 that morning, and told me what had happened.
i understood the reasoning. he didn’t suffer with depression. he had no illness or financial issues. his motives involved a fear of aging, numerology, and various conspiracy theories that ruled his life.
i understand, but i won’t ever accept. and the grief will never leave. i have to learn to live around it.
no. we had no romantic ties. but he and i knew, cherished and accepted each other, despite our 180 degree differences. so now i walk around this hole.
i may end up taking a third job to fill the hours i always spent hiking. or i may end up leaving this beautiful area. no one can say anything to make it right. but people have said things to make it worse.
I lost my father and best friend the last day of April, then lost my SECOND niece only 4 months later. Both nieces were sudden. My Dad battled pancreatic cancer for two and a half years. It was the worst time of my life. These happened in June, 2005 and then again in 2014! I still am ignored and have no one to talk to other than my sister who lost both of her daughters. It will be 2 years on the 12th of this month.t What do I do? I drive 80 miles each way to see my sister every other week and my husband tells me I’m too sensitive and crying is only for weak people. I need some guidance/advice. I’m literally dying inside with absolutely no one to talk to about how I feel
I lost my husband 2 months ago. One of my best friends and a devout catholic said to me over and over again: God doesn´t make mistakes, God doesn´t make mistakes. It was SO hurtful, it made me feel much worst. I know it´s not easy finding the right things to say and she probably didn´t mean to make me feel bad, but she did. Her words keep coming back to me.