When someone you love is going through loss, it can be one of the hardest things to witness. You want to help and make things better, but sometimes no matter what you do, nothing feels like enough. For starters, the fact that you’re here, willing to learn how to be there for someone going through loss, just proves the kind of person you are. And for that, we can probably guarantee you’re doing enough.
But if you’d like to discover a few other ways you can be there, then this blog is for you. We don’t claim to have all the answers, and neither should you. Instead, it’s simply about showing up with empathy, love and understanding, so your person knows you’re there, really and truly. Here are some ways to be there for someone going through loss…
Be Present and Listen
Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is simply be there. You don’t have to do anything or even say anything. Just sit with them, listen to them and let them express what they need. They might cry, might wish to share stories and memories of their loved one or they might just want to sit in silence. Just simply being there, even in silence, can help them give them the space to open up and begin healing.
In these instances, especially in the silence, you might find yourself wanting to fix it and offer solutions, but try to remember that grief isn’t something that can be fixed. It’s something that can only be felt, and your presence will help them feel less alone in that.
Offer Real, Practical Help
When someone is grieving, even the simplest tasks can feel overwhelming. Everyday routines like cooking, cleaning and shopping can become too much to handle. So, if you’re wondering how to be there for someone going through loss, one of the most meaningful things you can do is offer real and practical help.
Instead of just letting them know you’re there if they need help with anything, just do it, without them even asking. Because let’s face it, most of us, especially when we’re going through a hard time, struggle to ask for help even if we need it. Try offering real concrete help like asking them what they need from the supermarket while you’re there, or asking them if there’s anything they’d like to eat and cooking it for them. These acts show that you see their struggle and that you’re willing to help carry some of the weight when they can’t.
Validate Their Feelings
Another important thing to remember when it comes to learning how to be there for someone going through loss, is that grief doesn’t just heal overnight and never return. Some days, your loved one will feel better and then the next, they might feel right back to how they did at the start. This is completely normal and it’s important to remind them and yourself of this.
Certain phrases like “It’s okay to feel however you need to feel right now,” or “You don’t need to be strong for me” are perfect for moments like this. It validates that what they’re feeling is normal and okay. As well as knowing what to say, it’s also good to know what to avoid saying like “They’re in a better place” or “Everything happens for a reason”. Even if well-meant, those words can make grief feel dismissed.
Remember Important Dates
As much as the chapter might feel closed to you after the funeral, grief certainly doesn’t end for those closest to the person who’s passed. Days, weeks and years after the funeral, there will be certain occasions where that grief is felt more than ever, like on birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions. One of the most thoughtful things you can do is remember those dates and check in when they arrive.
It doesn’t need to be a grand gesture, just a little message to let them know you’re thinking of them and hoping they’re okay. You could also offer to spend the day together so they have someone to talk to if that’s what they need. This shows that you haven’t forgotten and that their loved one hasn’t been forgotten either.
Respect Their Healing Timeline
Healing takes time, and it takes a different length of time for everyone. We all do it differently; some of us never quite heal while others appear to have it together sooner. This just means that one of the most compassionate ways to be there for someone going through loss is to be patient with their process, no matter where they are in their grief healing journey.
Keep checking in even after the first few weeks when everyone else has gone back to normal life. Send a message, drop by and just remind them that you’re still here whenever they need you. That ongoing presence will let that someone feel truly supported through their grief.
Offer Meaningful Gifts for Grief
And finally, when words and acts of service don’t feel like enough, a thoughtful gesture like a gift can do all the talking for you. Giving them something to hold onto, something that is a real piece of their loved one, something that reminds them of them every time they hold it, wear it and see it, can be really special.
Memorial jewellery and keepsakes are one of the best gifts for someone grieving as they can be personalised to them and their loved one. Every design becomes a physical connection to that person, allowing them to keep them close, whether that’s with ashes jewellery, handwriting jewellery, photo jewellery or fingerprint jewellery.
Take our Honour Ashes Ring, for example. It’s one of our most loved designs, created for exactly this reason: to honour. Crafted in solid 925 sterling silver, the ring features a rounded setting filled with colourful resin that is blended with a small portion of their loved one’s ashes. Around it, a halo of white zirconia stones catches the light, each one symbolising the many memories that still shine bright even after loss.
Or there’s our Sterling Silver Heart Handwriting Necklace, a truly heartfelt keepsake that allows you to preserve a loved one’s real handwriting. You could use a note, their signature or even a little doodle and let us expertly engrave it onto the sterling silver heart pendant. It’s a beautiful, lasting way to keep their words close to your heart.
Another touching choice is our Sterling Silver Duo Photo Bracelet, a design that tells a story of connection. Every bead and heart charm is carefully crafted to represent life’s intricate moments. With space to engrave a photo on one heart and a message, date, or name on the reverse, this memorial bracelet keeps those memories alive in a beautiful and wearable form.
And for something that can be carried everywhere, our Fingerprint Keyring offers a subtle but deeply personal reminder. Made from polished stainless steel, each piece is engraved with a real fingerprint to capture the essence of someone loved and missed. Names, dates, or short handwritten notes can also be added, making it a comforting grief keepsake that fits right into everyday life.
A Final Thought
Knowing how to be there for someone going through loss isn’t always easy, but it doesn’t have to be complicated either. It’s about showing love through presence, kindness and patience. Sometimes, it’s in a silent conversation, sometimes, it’s in a simple act of care and others, in a small, meaningful keepsake.
If you’re ready to find a thoughtful way to bring comfort for someone you love or even for yourself, we’re here to help. At Inscripture, every piece of memorial jewellery is handmade with love and respect for the stories they represent. We know that behind every order is a heart that’s hurting, and we’re honoured to create something beautiful to keep those memories close.
