Support Grieving Loved Ones After a Suicide Loss

Supporting Grieving Loved Ones After a Suicide Loss

10 Ways to Take Action to Support Loved Ones After a Suicide Loss

Losing someone to suicide is incredibly painful. To support your friend or family member after a suicide loss, be compassionate and patient. You want to help but may worry about saying the wrong thing. At Fitchett-Mann, we want to share helpful ways to support grieving loved ones after a suicide loss. Here are some ways you can support grieving loved ones after a suicide loss.

Don’t say, “I know how you feel.” Instead, say, “I can’t imagine what you’re going through, but I care, and I’m here for you.” This caring message shows support.
Read about coping with suicide grief. Understanding the experience of losing a loved one to suicide better allows you to help more.
Please don’t wait for them to ask for help. Do kind things like bringing meals, helping with kids, or doing chores. These actions lighten the burdens of daily life while showing them that you care.
Gently share information on suicide survivor support groups and counseling or events for survivors. Heading out to a support group can be scary, so offer to attend to show support.
Professional counseling can help them process grief in healthy ways, so offer to help find a good therapist.
Whenever they mention the person who died, listen compassionately. Your friend appreciates sharing memories of their loved one.
Learning how the first year of grief impacts survivors prepares you both for the journey.
Just be present through activities like watching movies or taking walks. Your company matters.
Be patient – grief comes in waves. Suicide changes survivors forever. Keep checking in and listening.
Gently encourage sleep, nutrition, and self-care. Managing grief is draining. The grieving need rest.

Coping with grief after losing someone to suicide is a difficult process full of unpredictable ups and downs. While the journey remains complex, the compassionate support of people makes an immense difference. Continue checking in, listening without judgement, helping reduce daily burdens, and gently encouraging self-care. Also connect your grieving loved one to professional counseling, grief support groups with fellow survivors, and remembrance events when appropriate. Though nothing can take away their pain, your patience, care and understanding of their changed reality offers comfort during the most isolating times. You have to be perfect to make a positive impact. Just be present and meet them where they’re at on this profoundly challenging path ahead.

Let the informed staff at Fitchett-Mann help you navigate these decisions for you and your family.

Note: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal or professional advice. It is always recommended to consult with funeral service professionals, religious leaders, and legal advisors when making end-of-life decisions.