Losing someone close to you is one of the most difficult events that can happen in the course of your life. While grief is often a long and arduous road, there are ways to help your loved one have an easier time. With some guidance from the respected funeral home of Jacqueline M. Ryan Home for Funerals in Keansburg, NJ, you can understand how best to help your loved one in their time of need. 

Here are three suggestions on how to support them: 

• Be Present: While it’s important to give someone who is grieving an ample amount of space, you should let them know they’re not alone. After the funeral is over, it can be a lonely time. Without any distraction or good energy from a friend or family member, the grieving individual’s sad thoughts can spiral and deepen.
• Help Out in Specific Ways: As well-meaning as it can seem to offer your help, someone who just suffered a loss might not be in a position to think of things you can do for them. It’s much more effective to be specific in your suggestions so that it’s easier for the grieving individual to accept your assistance. For instance, you can offer to bring them some food, so they don’t have to cook or run an errand that might be too much for them to handle. Doing these small tasks will help make life easier for them and lower their stress.
• Listen Before Speaking: Even though you might have something to share about grief and loss, it’s more important at the beginning of the process to allow the griever to be heard. Offering them a sympathetic ear will help them get their feelings out and start to feel a little better. When you start overwhelming them with too many suggestions, there is a risk they might tune you out, at least while the emotions are still at their most raw.   

For help and assistance during the difficult time of grief, don’t hesitate to seek support from the caring funeral home staff at Jacqueline M. Ryan Home for Funerals. They can help you with everything from finding the right casket to planning the memorial service. You can have a conversation with a courteous staff member by calling (732) 787-1177. Learn more about the funeral home by visiting their website.