Losing a loved one can be one of the hardest things a person goes through. Whether you have experienced it or not, you can probably imagine the grief that person is feeling. Here are some things you can do when supporting a friend who has experienced a death in their family.

Be There To Listen

One of the most important things you can do for your friend is to offer a shoulder to cry on. They may feel they can't talk about their feelings, but they need to talk to someone. Let them know you are there for them and be understanding about whatever they say.

Remember that emotions are often very messy in the days and weeks following a death, especially if unexpected. So do whatever you can to help your friend feel comfortable expressing themselves around you, and let them know you are happy to be there.

Offer Practical Ways To Help

When someone is going through a loss, many people likely tell them to reach out if they need help. The problem with this is that sometimes the grief is so overwhelming that they can't think about what they need or may not feel up to reaching out.

Alternatively, you can find practical ways to help. For example, tell them you are bringing a meal to drop off on their porch or say you would like to come over to help clean the house. If the person has children, you can offer to stop by and keep them entertained for a few hours. These practical ways to help can take a burden off the person so they can focus on their grieving.

Don't Put a Timeline on Their Grief

The phrase "time heals all wounds" can lead people to think that someone should have a time limit for their grief. Unfortunately, it does not work that way. Grief comes in waves and can hit in the most unexpected moments. Perhaps a song comes on the radio, or the lost one's favorite holiday rolls around. Sometimes grief can hit someone like a ton of bricks.

If you are around your friend in one of those moments, be there for them. If you are in a public place, try to find somewhere private you can guide them so they can have their moment in peace. Offer to hug them, and offer some tissues if you have them. Most importantly, remember that grief never entirely goes away, so be understanding if it hits them when neither of you expects it.

Reach Out After the Funeral

Your friend is likely receiving a lot of support and help in the days following the death. However, many people stop reaching out after the funeral to see how the person is doing. In addition, after the funeral, they are likely to go back to work and try to return to their routine. Remember to reach out now and then to see how they are doing.

You don't want to be overbearing, but a text or phone call every week or two can be helpful. If they seem to be doing well genuinely, you may not need to reach out as often. If they are still struggling, you may offer to take them out to lunch once a week or something similar to check in and see how they're doing.

These are all some practical ways you can be there for your friend. As their friend, you will likely be able to anticipate their needs and what is best for them following the loss of their family member. They may not need as much support as time passes, but don't forget about them. Being there for the weeks and months after they experience the death is the best thing you can do for them.