The Importance of Close Friends After a Loss

By: Matthew Funeral Home
Monday, August 14, 2023

It is easy to feel lost and alone after the loss of a loved one. Thankfully, you aren’t truly alone. Your friends are there to love and support you. Sometimes, all you have to do is reach out.

Friends and Coping With Grief

Good friends will stick with you through thick and thin. And after the death of a loved one, a good friend will be there to support you in your grief. Friends can be there for you if you need a shoulder to cry on, or for a good distraction Try spending time with your friends as a way to cheer yourself up. Friends can help work through your grief, but they can also help brighten your day. 

Asking for Help

Many people that are coping with grief feel like they shouldn’t burden others with their pain. But a good friend will understand, and be there for you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether you need to talk out your feelings, need a good distraction, or just need a hug. 

What Friends Can Do

If your close friend is coping with the loss of a loved one, be there for them. When they need someone to talk to, be there for them. If they need help clearing out their loved one’s belongings, lend a hand. If they seem too depressed to go on with the day, spend the day with them. If you are unsure what to do to help them, start by asking if they need help with a specific task. Spend a day watching movies and ordering takeout. Or go out and try to get them to have fun. Self-care is important during grief, so help your friend maintain themselves. Lastly, if your friend cancels plans because they are too sad or upset to go out, go pay them a visit anyway. Being there for your friend when they are distraught is important.

The author of this post is not a professional therapist or counselor. For assistance in finding a grief counselor that is right for you, there are a number of resources out there. For our Grief Resource Center, written by Dr. Bill Webster, click here

For over 50 years, Matthew Funeral Home has been serving the Staten Island community. We can help with almost every aspect of your loved one’s memorial service. Our family is here to serve yours, every step of the way.

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

What Does My Religion Say About Cremation?

Cremation is rapidly becoming more and more popular in America, with a projected over 54% of Americans opting to cremate in 2020. If you or a loved one are considering choosing cremation for your e...

Reasons You May Want to Contest A Will

After your loved one passes, their Will will be presented, if they have one. It is possible that you have some issues with how your loved one has divided their estate. Generally, an individual shou...

Tips for Pre-Planning Your Funeral

Pre-planning your funeral may seem strange, but it is a practice that can help you and your family in the future. People often see pre-planning a funeral as morbid, similar to how many people feel ...

Grief and Shorter Days

Grief and the associated feelings of depression can be a difficult burden to bear at times. Many studies have shown that sunlight and bright days can improve moods associated with grief and depress...

Funeral Flowers for Different Faiths

Faith and culture play a large role in the proper etiquette of a funeral service, and this also applies to the types of arrangements you should consider when sending flowers. Certain flowers and ar...

Could AI be a Tool For Grieving Families in the Future?

There is a lot of buzz around AI these days. And while the tools of artificial intelligence are still in their infancy, there is a lot of talk about its use in a variety of industries. AI could pot...

Reading and Grief

A book is a powerful tool. A good book can transport you to another world, or help you dive deep into your emotions. The right book can provide new ideas and unique perspectives. Reading books can ...

If You Pass Away Without a Will

If you are to die without taking the time to create a Will, there are procedures in place to handle your estate. Without a Will, your entire estate and all of your assets will enter intestacy. Inte...

Birthdays of Deceased Loved Ones

Birthdays are often a cause for celebration. But after the loss of a loved one, they can be a bittersweet reminder. Birthdays of the deceased don’t have to be somber days. Rather, they can be celeb...

Losing a Loved One to Drug Overdose

Drug overdose is a major cause of death in America, with over 100,000 deaths annually, according to the CDC. When you lose a loved one to an overdose, there can be a lot of mixed feelings surroundi...