In Grief: “Being There” for Someone in Mourning

[Reviewed and updated September 29, 2024]

When your fear touches someone’s pain, it becomes pity. When your love touches someone’s pain, it becomes compassion.  ~ Stephen Levine

Why is it so hard to "be there" for someone in mourning? If you're like many other good-hearted, well-meaning people, you may find it difficult to be with someone who is anticipating or coping with the death of a loved one. When you aren't sure what to say or do to support another person, it's natural to feel awkward and uncomfortable.

Caregiving and Hospice, November 20 - November 26, 2016

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Death and dying: Do dogs have it better? http://bit.ly/2guxRyM « Kevin MD

I have to go home, http://bit.ly/2fMpCND « Soaring Spirits International

Dear every cancer patient I ever took care of, I’m sorry. I didn’t get it. http://bit.ly/2feaPyU « Here Comes The Sun

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below.

If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Understanding and Managing Grief, November 20 - November 26, 2016

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

After a Suicide; Surviving a Suicide Loss, http://bit.ly/2fgJri4 « Vimeo

The Legacy Lives on at Maui Pasta Company, http://bit.ly/2fwLawE « Maui Now

In the After ~ http://bit.ly/2gnQWBy « Soaring Spirits International

Coping with Pet Loss, November 20 - November 26, 2016

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Do Dogs Grieve Over the Loss of an Animal Companion? http://bit.ly/2f124s3 « Psychology Today

Veterinarian provides in-home hospice care for pets, http://bit.ly/2garUaC « Las Vegas Review-Journal

Guidelines for Veterinary Hospice Care, http://bit.ly/2fgHi6f « AVMA

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below.

If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

From My Heart to Yours: A Thanksgiving Message

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~ John F. Kennedy

When I count the blessings in my life, I find that what I value most are the treasures that are free: my family members and loved ones, my friends, neighbors and colleagues ~ and most certainly my fellow travelers in life's journeys, as together we find our way through the challenges of caregiving, loss and grief.

You inspire me daily with your wisdom, courage and determination, and I am humbly grateful for all that I have learned from each and every one of you.

I wish all of you life's dearest blessings, on this Thanksgiving Day and always ♥ 

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below. If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

© by Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FT

Caregiving and Hospice, November 13 - November 19, 2016

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Caregivers have different set of problems, http://bit.ly/2g56E4r « Walking With Jane

Compassion and Choices Introduces Truth in Treatment, http://bit.ly/2gsQff9 « A Good Goodbye

FAQ for New Hospice Volunteers: 15 Questions You're Afraid to Ask, http://bit.ly/2g2dVnc « Pallimed

Understanding and Managing Grief, November 13 - November 19, 2016

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

The Many Paths of Grief: 8 Tips From Survivors of Loss, http://huff.to/2g2hgD0 « The Huffington Post

In Grief: The Healing Language Of Touch, http://huff.to/2fAiYgj « The Huffington Post

The People Who Can't Stop Grieving, http://di.gg/2fhvlut « Digg

Coping with Pet Loss, November 13 - November 19, 2016

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

When Friends and Family Don’t Understand Pet Loss, http://bit.ly/2g146bl « One Green Planet

Making Animal Hospice a Reality, http://j.mp/2e5OUau « The Grey Muzzle Organization

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below.

If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Coping with the Holidays: Suggested Resources 2016

[Most recent update: Tuesday, January 10, 2017]

It's funny to think that Christmas — a time known for its joyful togetherness — can be the loneliest time of the year for some. ~ Giovanna Fletcher

Once again we find ourselves heading into the holiday season, which for many of us can be a stressful and challenging time, especially if we're anticipating or coping with the loss of a loved one. Fortunately the Internet offers access to a variety of useful and reliable resources that can help us find our way through these difficult days. In addition, many community hospices and mortuaries offer programs and workshops to guide and support individuals and families to identify and learn how to manage the mixed and painful emotions that can surface at this time.

As I’ve done in years past, I’ll be looking online for articles, webinars and other reliable resources to recommend to my readers, and each day throughout the holiday season I’ll be posting links to them on this page. Since I am building upon this list on a daily basis, I invite you to check back often to see what’s been added.

Caregiving and Hospice, November 6 - November 12, 2016

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

On the Other Side of Hope – Hospice, http://bit.ly/2eFD6cz « The Unprepared Caregiver

5 Things You Can Expect from Your First Palliative Care Meeting, http://bit.ly/2cZfbFv « Get Palliative Care

We give pets dignified deaths, why not our loved ones? http://bit.ly/2fwwjEK « Kevin MD

Understanding and Managing Grief, November 6 - November 12, 2016

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

The Election: Of Hate, Grief, and a New Story, http://bit.ly/2esdJzV « Charles Eisenstein

Mourning, Elections, and Choosing to Be Kind, http://bit.ly/2fsGPfM « What to Say When Someone Dies

On losing my dad to Alzheimers, http://bit.ly/2fLapRc « Custom Crafted Songs

Coping with Pet Loss, November 6 - November 12, 2016

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Making End of Life Decisions for Your Pet, http://bit.ly/2fIu2pY « PET MD

Helping Kids Understand the Death of a Pet, http://buff.ly/2eKBulb « Daily Mom

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below.

If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Veterans Day, 2016

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~ John F. Kennedy

Veterans Day is a federal holiday celebrated every year in the United States on the 11th of November. Originally called "Armistice Day," it was intended to honor veterans of foreign wars, but its purpose over the years has evolved to include and honor anyone who has ever served honorably in the military. It affords us an opportunity to thank veterans and their families for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served ~ not only those who died ~ have sacrificed and done their duty.

In addition to the Veterans Day National Ceremony held each year on November 11 at Arlington National Cemetery at 11 a.m., communities across America plan their own ways to observe the holiday ~ but you need not wait until that day to reach out to veterans and their families.

Caregiving and Hospice, October 30 - November 5, 2016

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

A story that needs to be told, http://bit.ly/2eFuGTb « ehospice

The costly Medicare boondoggle that’s wasting tax dollars and infuriating doctors, http://bit.ly/2flPGOQ « Kevin MD

Dangers of Morphine for the Dying, http://bit.ly/2ftoS46 « Barbara Karnes, RN

Understanding and Managing Grief, October 30 - November 5, 2016

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Contacting the Spirits, http://bit.ly/2eiGYjL « Widower's Grief

Cybergrief: Grieving an Online Friend, http://bit.ly/2fiQHZK « What's Your Grief?

Readers on overpowering nature of grief, death and dying, http://bit.ly/2fBu19w « The Guardian