When You Really Want to Help Your Grieving Friend, Just Show Up

It’s often difficult to know how to help a grieving friend.

Maybe your friend’s dad just died.

Maybe your friend’s mom just had a stroke.

Or maybe your friend just experienced a miscarriage.

Maybe your friend’s child was just diagnosed with an incurable illness.

Maybe your friend was just diagnosed with cancer.

Or maybe your friend’s grandmother was just diagnosed with dementia.

Maybe your friend’s husband just had a heart attack.

When you really want to help your grieving friend, just show up.

When you don’t know how to help someone who is grieving …

And when you don’t know what to say to someone who is grieving …

When you don’t know what to do …

When you don’t know what to bring …

And when you don’t know what to give …

When you don’t know how to comfort a grieving friend …

When you feel like nothing feels like enough to show her that you care …

Be kind.

JUST SHOW UP.

Just be there.

And just be patient.

Just pray.

Just listen.

And just be kind.

Just bring dinner.

Just be honest.

And just hold her hand.

Just go to the funeral.

Just go to the doctor’s appointment.

Or just go to the hospital.

Don’t let her feel alone.

Above all, just don’t let her feel alone.

Whatever you do, JUST SHOW UP.

Because that will mean more to your grieving friend than anything.

(I know, because I’ve been that grieving friend more than once.)

A version of this post was originally published July 5, 2022.