If you're reading this, you may be grieving. Or you may be supporting someone who is. Either way, know this: whatever you're feeling right now is valid. Grief has no timeline, no stages that must be followed in order, and no finish line.
Understanding Grief
Grief can look like sadness, but it can also look like anger, numbness, confusion, guilt, or even unexpected moments of laughter. All of these are normal. Grief is not a problem to be solved — it's a natural response to losing someone you love.
Professional Support
If grief feels overwhelming, professional support can help:
- Grief counselors: Therapists who specialize in bereavement can provide coping strategies tailored to your experience.
- Support groups: Connecting with others who understand loss can reduce the isolation that grief often brings.
- Crisis resources: If you're in crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 — call or text 988.
National Organizations
- GriefShare — Faith-based grief support groups meeting in communities nationwide
- The Compassionate Friends — Support for families after the death of a child
- AARP Grief and Loss — Resources specifically for those who've lost a spouse
- National Alliance for Grieving Children — Support for children and teens experiencing grief
Things That May Help
Everyone's grief journey is different, but some things that many people find comforting:
- Creating tangible memorials: A photo display, a memory box, a planted garden, or a printed memorial poster can provide a physical connection to someone you've lost.
- Writing: Journaling, writing letters to your loved one, or contributing to a memory book.
- Routine: Maintaining small daily routines can provide stability when everything feels uncertain.
- Patience with yourself: Grief ebbs and flows. A difficult day after a good week doesn't mean you're "going backward."
Supporting Someone Who Is Grieving
If you're supporting a grieving person:
- Show up. Your presence matters more than having the right words.
- Say their loved one's name. It's a comfort, not a trigger.
- Offer specific help ("I'm bringing dinner Tuesday") rather than "Let me know if you need anything."
- Check in after the first weeks, when others have moved on but the grief is still very present.