Supporting Someone Who is Grieving

It can be hard to know what to say or do to support someone you care about with a sudden loss from road trauma. You may feel helpless in the face of their grief and worried about their wellbeing.

Most people can cope with trauma, grief, and loss with the support of family and friends. This means it is important to contact the bereaved person as soon as possible after a death. Ways in which to contact them can be through a personal visit, via phone, text message or sending sympathy cards/flowers.

Understand that you cannot take away someone's pain. You can only be there for them and allow them to express their pain.

What helps:

Express condolences and show that you care (e.g. “I’m sorry for your loss”).
Just being there is one of the most supportive things you can do for someone who is grieving.
Acknowledge and validate the grieving person’s feelings.
Being a good listener through hearing the story as they process what has happened.
Talk about and share memories of the person who has died and use the deceased name (where culturally appropriate).
Offer practical support.
Understand that you cannot take away someone’s pain.
Recognise grief doesn’t have a timeline.
Encourage the grieving person to engage in self-care.
Look after yourself.