Couples go through various ups and downs in the course of a relationship. However, there’s no adversity a couple, or anyone can go through that’s more painful than death.
Yet, death is inevitable. You might find yourself in a situation where your partner loses a loved one. It could be their parent, a sibling, or another close relative.
Do you know how to support a grieving partner?
No one can say with certainty that they know how to comfort a grieving person since people grief differently – and grief can be unpredictable. However, we can always learn how to be as supportive as possible.
Read on for a guide on how to help your partner when they’re grieving.
Understand the Process of Grief
Unless you’re a grief counselor or mental health specialist, it’s not likely that you’ll learn comprehensively about grief anywhere in your life. This is why everyone who wants to know how to help a grieving partner should be intentional about understanding the grief process.
There are five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
A basic understanding of these stages will help you identify with what your partner might be feeling at various times. It will also enable you to find effective ways to approach and help your partner.
There’s a lot to learn about grief. So, try to study as much as possible about the subject. Don’t wait until you’re faced with the need to support someone’s who grieving to learn about it. It’ll also come in handy when it’s your turn to grief.
Sometimes Less Is More
We grief differently. While some people who’re bereaved want to be in the close company of their loved ones, others want to be left alone for some time.
If your partner wants some time to themselves, it’s important to respect that and keep some reasonable distance. Of course, the challenge lies in identifying whether your partner wants to be left alone for some time. Asking whether they’d like some alone time can come off as insensitive or unempathetic.
If you’ve been with your partner for some time, you’d have to rely on the much you know about them. Nonverbal cues can also guide you.
Be Present
If your partner wants and appreciates your presence as they grieve, the best way to support them is to be there with them as much as possible. This could mean taking time off work or your busy schedule and attending to their needs.
Being present means you can communicate with them, increase touches of affection, do some of their chores for a while, help with the visitors, and more.
Your partner will probably need you the most during the funeral service. Ensure you’ve got a good grasp of funeral etiquette rules so that you don’t do or say something unbecoming.
How to Support a Grieving Partner – Try Your Best
You turn to your partner when you’re at your lowest. That’s what relationships are for. Death, though, is a different monster. This is why knowing how to support a grieving partner is a valuable skill. Hopefully, this resource has enlightened you about grief and you’re now in a better position to support a grieving partner.
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