Grief is a lifelong process. Everyone grieves the loss of a loved one in different ways. When someone you care about is going through the bereavement process, you can feel helpless to do something supportive. At Weathered Raindrop, our mission is to support you as you support those who are grieving. We are here to assist in the navigation through loss.
Experienced Warriors of Grief on a Mission to Comfort Others
Weathered Raindrop has particular expertise on grief. Our founder has suffered loss through miscarriages, a full term infant and her 4 year old son. Each employee at Weathered Raindrop is an experienced warrior of loss. Our 20 employees include mothers, grandmothers, grandfathers, cousins and dads who are all journeying through loss. Our journeys, although different, carry one bond, our hearts ache to support others who wear similar shoes. Helping to create special memorial gifts for others, comes with great honor.
We are on a mission to help you support those who are grieving! There are some simple things that you can do to be there for a friend or family member experiencing a loss. We hope this advice helps you!
Reaching Out: Taking the First Step
While this first bit of advice is straightforward, it can be exactly what a grieving person needs from you — to just be there and reach out in their pain. If you’re worried that you may be needlessly stirring up painful emotions for them, in all reality, they are most likely living in that pain constantly. You bringing up their loss isn’t something they weren’t already thinking about, in other words. You may see, however, that when you express genuine sympathy and compassion for your hurting loved one, they can respond gratefully, because they will know that you care about them by taking action.
Ways to Take Action: 1. Send a Card
Helpful Tips: What to Write In a Sympathy Card
1. Keep it short.
2. Address the name of the person who died in the card.
3. Do not try to explain away the recipient's pain with trite phrases like:
- "At least they are no longer in pain...
- "They are in a better place...
- "They wouldn't want you to be sad...
- "This will get better in time...
- "God only gives you what you can handle...
- "You never know what you have until it's gone...
The main point of a sympathy card is for the recipient to know they are being thought of through this difficult time. They don't need a lesson— even if you truly feel your words speak truth, it's important to understand that every word you write is going to be measured by someone who is dealing with a hurricane of emotions. One moment they may agree with those words, and the very next they may want to rip your card apart and scream, "how dare they!"
Helpful Examples:
- "Our hearts hurt for the pain you are going through. Please know that we are thinking of you constantly and praying for you daily."
- "I know there are no words that will ease the pain you are going through, but we are here for you and will be checking in often."
- "You have been through more than I can even imagine. We are so sorry for the loss of your baby daughter, Zaylee. Please know we will be keeping you in our prayers over the coming days, months and years. She will never be forgotten."
- "This is a time for grieving, no need to send a thank you note."
Ways to Take Action: 2. Send a Text
Even when it seems like they don’t want to talk, an encouraging word from a supportive friend or family member can change everything. You can’t always be there physically, but you can let them know you are thinking of them. These text message ideas will help you send something meaningful and encouraging.
Helpful Tips: What to Write In a Text
1. “I'm thinking of your family and "..." today"
There is nothing better than to see a heavenly loved one's name written out or spoken. A simple message like this speaks volumes to the grieving.
They may feel alone as they struggle, so it’s always nice for them to know you are there for them. Just knowing you are thinking about them and that you care is comforting. Your friend might not reply, but they will still have appreciated the text message.
2. “You are important to me, I love you, I cannot imagine how hard these days are for you, please know we are praying for you daily."
Loss often leads to depression especially if the loss was traumatic, unexpected. People can feel like no one cares about them. They need to hear that they are essential to you and that they are loved. This acknowledgment will help them explore their coping mechanisms and remind them that they have support.
3. Today I saw a"..." it reminded me of your son and his love for "..."
Sharing a memory of the person's loved one helps to calm the fears that their child, husband, father, ect. has not been forgotten.
4. "This is "...", my husband and I were just talking about what a difference your daughter "..." has already made in our family, through her short life and death."
If you have felt inspired or changed through a story of loss, share! Even through the most difficult circumstances knowing a loved one's legacy of good continues on, is immeasurable.
Ways to Take Action: 3. Meaningful Gestures
There are times when the old adage “actions speak louder than words” holds true. When words don’t seem to be enough to communicate your love and concern for the bereaved, consider making a small but meaningful gesture. Small gifts, meals, and appropriate hugs or shoulder squeezes can mean the world to someone who is experiencing loss.
Send a Meaningful Gift: A Personalized Memorial Wind Chime
Weathered Raindrop understands your need to provide comfort to a loved one, and it’s our mission to help you provide a special gift that brings comfort through life's storms. Our memorial wind chimes are a meaningful and lasting gift, lovingly handcrafted and customizable to honor those cherished loved ones whose memory we carry. Every time the breeze blows and the soft music sounds, it is a peaceful reminder our loved ones are near. We invite you to browse our collection today. With several customization options and a variety of styles, we’re sure you’ll find the right wind chime or keepsake to support your loved ones.
Find a special memorial wind chime today at Weathered Raindrop - Sending Comfort Through the Storm.
Ways to Take Action: 4. Be All-Ears: The Gift of Listening
Hopefully, the friend or family member that you approach with the gentle suggestion to talk about what they’re experiencing is willing to have a conversation. In this case, it is usually for the best that you become an attentive listener, and limit interjections or offerings of advice. Despite your best intentions, you cannot fix a bereaved person’s loss, and pithy platitudes are ineffective. Let your friend or family member talk, verbally process, cry, yell, whatever they need to do, and just be there to listen, holding their hand if they’re comfortable with it. It’s possible that they just need to get all of the bottled up thoughts out, and they’ll appreciate you listening, even if you can’t really do anything about their current pain but let them know you care.
Ways to Take Action: 5. Acknowledge Holidays & Anniversaries
Most of those who are grieving will tell you that initially they are flooded with condolences while they are in a blur of grief, all while planning a funeral. After the funeral, they may feel as though the world has “moved on,” while they feel stuck and lonely in their grief. The first holidays without their loved one can be very difficult.
Making an effort to let your loved one know you are thinking of them and their loved one in Heaven during the Holidays can mean the world to them. We offer Memorial Christmas Ornaments as well as Memorial Wind Chimes that can be personalized to honor their loved ones in Heaven, offering a tangible and precious keepsake to a hurting heart.
Marking your calendar and acknowledging the anniversary of their loved one’s passing is another meaningful thing you can do for someone who is grieving. That day, and the days leading up to it, are always difficult. Your acknowledgement when the rest of the world has “moved on” can deeply touch a hurting heart, and make them feel less alone in their grief. Sending a memorial wind chime on the anniversary of someone’s Heaven Day is a lovely way to share the care your heart holds for those who are grieving.
You can order your special customizable memorial gift at www.weatheredraindrop.com
Ways to Take Action: 6. Be Specific & Follow Through With Thoughtfulness
Be specific about things that you can help them with, whether it’s preparing meals, taking care of kids, helping around the house, cutting the lawn, grocery shopping, or whatever it may be. If you tell them you will be praying for them...PRAY RIGHT THEN AND THERE WITH THEM or for them. Avoid saying “whatever you need,” because while that may be true, it’s a blanket statement that seems to have lost its meaning in our social structure. Once you’ve made it clear that you’re going to do something to help the person, actually do it. Even if you’re not the world’s greatest cook, putting the effort into providing something tangible, like preparing dinner, will mean the world to someone whose heart is broken.
Weathering the Storm Together
We hope these simple suggestions were helpful to you, especially if you’re currently trying to be present for a loved one who is grieving. If there is anything we didn’t mention, it is okay to ask the person what they need most from you. They may or may not have an answer, but they’ll see and appreciate your effort. Checking in often with a short text message is always beneficial.
Weathered Raindrop would like to invite you to view our selection of sympathy and bereavement wind chimes, sun catchers, and other memorial keepsakes. We think our products are the perfect gift you can give to someone who is hurting. Personalize our items with a loved ones name, or a loving message, and help the people you care about the most weather the storm.