How to Comfort Someone at a Memorial Service

Comforting someone at a memorial service is never easy, but it can be helpful for you and for the person grieving. In death we have to embrace life, and by showing your support you can help keep that notion alive.

Instructions

1. Support with your whole being. By showing your support with a shoulder to cry on, and with your attention to their needs, you can help to comfort someone at a memorial service. Many services can be overrun with people, and by giving them individual attention, no matter what their relation to the deceased might be, you will let them know that their health is important to you.

2. Use the deceased person's name. It may be human nature to try and mask painful subjects from view or conversation, but by respecting the deceased and speaking of him/her by name, you can show that the memories and love for that person are still with you. Being vocal about the good and bad times and helping to keep their memory alive in conversation is a good thing.

3. Help them meet their needs. At a memorial service, people usually think to bring food and beverages for the attendees. To comfort someone at a memorial service, make sure that they are eating, and staying hydrated. Grief can make one feel sick, and take their mind off of themselves. By helping them remember their own health you make a big difference.

4. Ask them what they need. Everyone processes grief in their own way, and in their own time. By making an effort to ask the person grieving what their immediate and future needs might be, and forming a group to help meet those needs, you can help them through this difficult time.