Helping a Friend or Neighbor
Cope With Loss
1. Before the Funeral:
a. Offer to notify his family and friends about funeral arrangements
b. House-sit to prevent burglaries during the funeral and visitations
c. Help answering the phone and greeting visitors
d. Keep a record of everyone who calls, visits or has been contacted
e. Help coordinate the food and drink supply
f. Offer to pick up friends and family at the airport. Arrange housing
g. Offer to provide transportation for out-of-town visitors
h. Help him keep the house cleaned and the dishes washed
2. After the Funeral:
a. Prepare or provide dinner on a day that is mutually acceptable
b. Do Step a. every week for two to three months
c. Offer to help with yard chores such as watering or pruning
d. Feed and exercise the pets, if any
e. Write notes offering encouragement and support
f. Offer to drive or accompany him to the cemetery regularly
g. Offer to house sit so he can get away or visit family out of town
h. Make a weekly run to the grocery store, laundry, or cleaners
i. Help with the Thank You notes and/or other correspondence
j. Anticipate difficult periods such as anniversaries, birthdays,
holidays, and the day of death
k. Always mention the deceased by name and encourage reminiscing
Above all, just listening and your concern and presence will help.
The above was excerpted from
What To Do When Someone Dies"
By Buz Overbeck and Joanie Overbeck .
TLC Group
Publications for Transition, Loss, and Change
Dallas, Texas USA
TLC Group grants anyone the right to use this information without
compensation so long as the copy is not used for profit or as training materials
in a profit making activity such as workshops, lectures, and seminars, and
so long as this paragraph is retained in its entirety.
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