Ways to help a loved one who is grieving: Grief Groceries and more!

A bread pudding casserole made from French baguette bread, sage breakfast sausage, onions and cheddar cheese

We hate to see our friends and loved ones hurting; especially when they’re grieving. You want to be there for them, so you reach out and say, “If there’s anything they want or need, don’t hesitate to ask”. It’s a beautiful offer that many people don’t take up, and it might not be obvious. During this time of grief, people’s brain can seem to shut down while they’re trying to process their loss and accept their new normal. They might be functional, but in many cases, they’re not ok. In the moment, they probably can’t imagine what they might need other than the pain to stop.

Instead of asking people if they need anything let you know, take the initiative and look out for ways you can help them. Start with the basics; food/groceries. We’ve all gotta eat, right? When you’re grieving, it can be very easy to overlook eating or even losing your appetite. Reach out to them via phone or text and confirm what time they’re going to be home. My suggestion is to purchase groceries and drop them off on their door step or have them delivered with a service like Instacart (you don’t want to intrude their space).People who are hurting often neglect themselves during the process so your kindness is both needed and appreciated, even if they can’t articulate it. Also, you can send them quick, easy meals that don’t require a great deal of preparation. A home cooked meal or a gift card to their favorite restaurant can do wonders for someone who is grieving. They’re called grief groceries.

Also, there are things that you can do to help that don’t require money. You can always volunteer to pick their kids up from school or babysit, so that they can have some time to themselves. Have one of your kids go cut the lawn or shovel the snow of your loved one. Running an errand for them or even taking the garbage to the curb for them on collection day can help ease their load. Picking up their slack and taking on some of their responsibilities, even temporarily, is one of the most thoughtful things you can do for someone while they’re grieving.

So the next time your loved ones are experiencing grief, consider that even making the smallest decisions can be daunting to them. I encourage you to be proactive when showing your loved ones that you’re there for them. Many people don’t know how to ask for help or even accept it. Let’s be the blessing to them you’d want someone to be to you in your time of need.