Coping with Grief during COVID-19 - Ten Tips for Helping Others Grieve

Immediately acknowledge the loss. Reach out to say, “I am so
sorry for your loss.” Don’t be nervous. It doesn’t matter if you
know the bereaved or the deceased well, just reach out.
Do not minimize the loss or try to “take away” the pain.
Avoid statements like: “He/she is in a better place”
or “I know how you feel.”
Know that grief is not linear. People often cycle
between the different stages of grieving.
Focus on the person grieving. Don’t compare
your experiences. Allow the person to navigate
their own grief.
Don’t judge how the bereaved is reacting.
Everyone grieves differently. There is nothing
wrong with how they are feeling or coping.
Don’t rush the process. Everyone grieves
at a different pace. There is no timeline to
“move on” or “get over it”.
Allow for crying and silences. Expressing
emotions is healthy. Resist the urge to fill
silence with words.
Lend a helping hand. Instead of saying, “Let me know how I can help,” tell
them what you will do. For example: “I’ll be by to mow your lawn on Tuesday.”
People who are grieving often forget to take care of themselves.
Have groceries delivered or send a gift basket with items to help
them take care of their basic needs.