- It's never easy to lose a loved one, but there are ways to try to comfort others...
Loss is part and parcel of the cycle of life. But its inevitability doesn’t make it any easier. Losing a loved one, a beloved pet, or even a job can be devastating.
When it happens to someone close, you can feel helpless. You can’t change what’s happened, but you want to do something that might bring a little comfort at a difficult time. Figuring out what that might look like can be a challenge.
Whether you live next door or half a world away, you can reach out to those in need. All you need to know is where to begin. Here are four meaningful ways you can send a little comfort to someone experiencing loss.
1. Feed The Body and Soul
People associate food with family, friends, and other relationships. That association can make them feel more connected and less lonely, nostalgic, and sentimental. That’s the whole idea behind the concept of “comfort food.”
Food has been associated with death since the Middle Ages. Post-funeral feasts were supposed to help the soul on its way and provide comfort to those left behind. Today, taking food to the home is a way to help feed family and visitors.
Even if you live far away, there are still ways to offer food as a thoughtful sympathy gift. Selecting comfort foods to ship right to their door shows you’re thinking about them even if you can’t be there. Your gift ensures they have one less daily detail to worry about as they mourn.
Flowers are lovely, but they don’t sustain the body. They don’t offer the warmth, energy, and sense of connection that a meal can provide. Food feeds both body and soul.
2. Talk to Them
Words are powerful. They lift spirits or lower them. They build others up or tear them down. They reassure or alarm. It all depends on how you wield them.
In the digital age, text abbreviations bring brevity to messaging. They can make it easier for you to tell people you’re thinking about them when you’re at a loss for words. And even a short message or emoji will let them know you care.
The digital age also raises the significance of sending lengthier correspondence. Writing a letter to express your condolences and compliment the lost loved one provides comfort people can read and re-read. And if you struggle to find the right words, you can probably find a card that expresses how you feel.
And don’t forget that you can make a personal visit or phone call to speak directly to them. If you want to avoid intruding, text them first to set up a time. Sometimes, listening to the grieving and giving them safe space to talk is the greatest comfort of all.
3. Give Them a Keepsake
In the wake of the loss of a loved one, grief can be raw. People may look for distractions to avoid thinking about it. Moreover, the whole process may later be nothing but a blur.
These are the reasons why you should consider sending condolences with something they can enjoy for a very long time. Think about mementos like pathway stones, wind chimes, framed photos, or figurines. There are also larger items, such as garden benches and bird baths.
A lot of these options already come with meaningful inscriptions. But don’t forget to also look at mementos you can customize. Add a name and dates of birth and death. If you’re creative, you can have your own words inscribed on whatever item you choose.
When everyone goes home and people resume their lives, life can get pretty quiet. That’s when they will start noticing these keepsakes every day. And that’s precisely what will bring comfort for years to come.
4. Do Something in the Loved One’s Name
Sometimes, people don’t want or have room for more “stuff.” And these days, more people are opting for no funerals. But don’t worry. There are still ways you can bring comfort to family and friends experiencing loss.
Even when there’s no memorial service, you can make a memorable move. The best way is to find opportunities that were near and dear to the loved one’s heart or important during their lives. What you do should be significant to who they were, not necessarily what’s important to you.
Donate to the library a book on a subject relevant to the person’s life. Give money to a cause that was near and dear to them, such a nonprofit organization, church, or educational institution. Plant a tree or shrub in their memory.
Doing something in the loved one’s name will provide comfort to those left behind. For them, it’s a source of pride and keeps their memory alive. Plus, you’re giving something valuable back to the community.
Comfort and Joy
A life lost should be grieved but also celebrated. Providing a little comfort to someone you know will help them get through both. But it can be difficult to figure out what will bring them that comfort. Not every effort will be suitable for every person.
These are four ways you can send solace to those who have experienced a loss. Whatever you do, don’t forget to check in with them even after the activities are long over. Comfort is something they may need for a long time, so keep it coming.