No matter the circumstances, the death of a loved one is a deeply emotional and difficult experience. If the death was unexpected or violent, this can affect you even more intensely and prolong your ability to grieve. The reason for this is that, while two distinctly different experiences, trauma and grief intertwine following a traumatic death, compounding both physical and emotional symptoms and complicating reactions. The difficulty becomes two-fold: coping with the shock and nature of the death while also coping with the resulting grief.
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How to Let Others Know about a Death of a Loved One
Breaking news to others about a death is never easy. People tend to respond in a variety of different ways and often have questions you may not feel comfortable answering, or simply don’t know how to answer. It’s important to be honest and clear. Remember, the way you deliver the news will stay with and affect both who you tell and yourself as you go through the grieving process. To help you take on this difficult task, keep these guidelines in mind:
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What to Say (and Not Say) to Someone Who is Grieving
It’s often difficult to know exactly what to say to someone who is grieving. Sometimes, even if you mean well, attempts to comfort and express your support can come out wrong or be taken differently than you intended. While every situation is unique, there are some common guidelines you can follow to help you be there for a loved one without worrying about what to say, or not say, during his or her time of grief.
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Conversation Starters for Visitations
Visitations allow all those in the life of someone who has passed away to show their respects, say goodbye and offer support. However, the mix of people who gather in grief can vary greatly – from family and friends to co-workers and neighbors to mere acquaintances who may know the deceased or someone else who is grieving the loss, but whom you don’t know yourself.
Behaviors Bound to Cause Misunderstandings
Family drama during funerals is not an uncommon occurrence. In fact, some argument-provoking behaviors are actually seen quite often. Here is a look at some typical troublemaking titles and how best to curtail their behavior before it causes havoc: