What Not to Say to a Grieving Friend
You’ll want to be there for a friend who is dealing with grief after having lost a loved one. Whether before or after the cremation service in Mount Summit, IN, you’ll want to find some way to let them know you’re there for them and that they can count on you for anything.
While there is virtually an unlimited amount of things you could potentially say, you will want to be mindful of the words that come out of your mouth. After all, you don’t want to cause pain with the words you had hoped would bring comfort. Here are some things you should never say.
I Know What You’re Going Through
No, you most certainly do not know what another human being is going through. You may be able to empathize with someone who has lost a loved one if you, too, have lost someone close to you. But unless you can literally see things through another person’s eyes, you don’t know what your grieving friend is going through. Telling them otherwise may come across as insensitive – even if you had meant to simply let them know that you’re there for them.
They Lived a Long Life
Again, this is one of those statements that is often well-meaning. The idea behind it is that the deceased — assuming they died at ripe old age — lived a full life. But the reality is that your grieving friend might not take solace in your seemingly minimizing the extent of their loss. Regardless of how many years the deceased was blessed to have lived, their family will mourn their passing. Instead of telling your grieving friend that their deceased family member lived a long life, you might simply share a heart-warming experience you had with their deceased before their death. It might be enough to bring a smile to your grieving friend’s face.
God Must Have Needed Another Angel
This is the sort of statement that people sometimes communicate to a grieving person. While some might receive it as intended, others might not. Your grieving friend might interpret such a statement as insensitive since it might appear to trivialize their loss. Is the idea that God might have needed another angel supposed to make your grieving friend’s loss feel any less painful?
When you wish to comfort your grieving friend, steer clear of any of the aforementioned statements. Telling them that you know what they’re going through, that their deceased loved one lived a long life, or that God must have needed another angel is the wrong approach. What you will want to do is convey your condolences and let them know you’re praying for them.
If you ever need to plan a cremation service in Mount Summit, IN, let us know because we can help. We offer funeral services, cremation services, veteran’s services, and permanent memorialization options. For the help you need, get in touch.
