TL;DR: Small, thoughtful actions can provide meaningful support for someone grieving
Supporting someone through grief doesn’t require grand gestures, small, intentional acts matter deeply. Focus on:
• Being present over offering words; quiet companionship can be incredibly comforting.
• Helping with practical tasks like cooking, cleaning, or errands, which often feel overwhelming during grief.
• Sending thoughtful tokens like handwritten notes or personalized memory items to uplift spirits.
Avoid clichés, rushing their healing, or centering conversations on your experiences. Show compassion and understanding that grief is a personal process. For a comforting and healing experience, try social connections through meaningful, shared meals, browse Malta’s best dining spots with MELA AI to find spaces that restore body and soul.
Grief is a deeply personal experience, yet its impact is universal, touching all aspects of life. Losing someone dear can leave individuals feeling lost, overwhelmed, and isolated. However, even the smallest gestures can significantly support someone navigating this emotional journey. What truly matters is the thoughtfulness behind these acts, showing that they’re not alone in their pain.
What Are Small Ways to Help Someone Deal with Grief?
Grief often manifests in unpredictable ways, waves of sadness, anger, confusion, or even numbness. To provide genuine support, it’s essential to respect an individual’s pace and unique grieving process. Here are actionable ways to help someone walk through their grief:
1. Offer Presence Over Words
Grieving individuals often express that the most comforting support isn’t given through well-meaning words but through quiet, unwavering presence. Sit with them, even in silence. Research confirms that simply being present can regulate emotions by reducing cortisol, the stress hormone.
2. Help with Practical Tasks
Grief can leave everyday tasks feeling insurmountable. Offer to help with mundane chores, like preparing meals, cleaning their house, or even running to the store for essentials. A friend recalling support during her grief shared how vital it was when someone unexpectedly cleaned her bathroom, a small yet incredibly meaningful act.
3. Send Thoughtful Tokens
Consider sending words of encouragement through handwritten cards or leaving small gifts related to their loved one’s memory. Items such as custom candles, photo frames, or memory boxes can offer comfort.
4. Listen, No Judgments
When they open up, allow them to pour out their feelings without judgment or unsolicited advice. Sometimes venting their emotions is the catharsis they need most. A gentle “Tell me how you’re feeling today” can open up the space for sharing.
5. Encourage Mindful Healing
Grief doesn’t mean forgetting; it’s about learning to carry their loss in healthy ways. Suggest gentle activities like journaling memories, planting a garden in honor of their loved one, or taking peaceful walks in nature. These actions not only provide healing but also nurture mental well-being.
What to Avoid When Helping Someone Grieving?
While your intentions may be pure, certain words or actions can unintentionally add stress. Avoid:
- Clichés like “They’re in a better place” or “Everything happens for a reason.” These phrases can feel dismissive.
- Pushing them to “move on.” Healing happens at its own pace. Forcing positivity can invalidate their pain.
- Turning the conversation to your own losses. While shared experiences can help, timing matters.
Instead, approach grief support with patience, humility, and understanding that there’s no single “correct” way to grieve.
Provide a Community Oriented Support
Isolation often intensifies grief, yet building strong community connections can bring solace. In the Mediterranean, for example, participating in shared meals or rituals following a loss emphasizes collective healing. Borrowing these practices, you could join or recommend local grief support groups like GriefShare, or arrange regular check-ins to provide a sense of continuity.
MELA AI’s initiative of encouraging mindful dining and connection could tie in beautifully here. Eating isn’t just about sustenance, it’s a ritual of community and healing. Connecting with restaurants listed on MELA AI might inspire subtle healing rituals while bridging grief with connection.
Taking Meaningful Steps Forward
Helping someone navigate grief isn’t about making the pain disappear, but rather being the steady hand that reminds them they can bear it. Start with:
- Actively listening and being present.
- Assisting with daily responsibilities.
- Encouraging self-compassion and gentle routines.
- Introducing the idea of remembrance through rituals or projects.
Life demands time for healing. Compassionate support ensures that even when the path feels heavy, it’s not walked alone. Discover dining spaces in Malta that uplift both body and soul with MELA AI’s restaurant directory, because every small step toward well-being matters. Whether it’s through thoughtful meals or encouraging social connectivity, MELA AI seamlessly integrates holistic healing into life’s most trying times.
FAQ on Small Ways to Help Someone Navigate Grief
Why is presence more comforting than words for someone grieving?
Grieving individuals often find solace in the quiet, non-verbal support of others rather than in words. Sometimes, well-meaning phrases, like “I know how you feel”, can unintentionally feel dismissive or shallow. On the other hand, simply sitting with someone, even in silence, conveys empathy and solidarity. Research supports this, showing that human presence can reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels. Being physically present doesn’t require saying the “perfect” words; it allows the grieving person to feel that they’re not alone in their pain. Trust that your quiet companionship or even just offering a hug can communicate understanding in ways words may fail to.
What are some practical tasks I can do to support someone dealing with grief?
Grief can make even simple daily tasks feel overwhelming. Helping with chores such as cleaning, cooking, or running errands can provide immense relief. For example, a small gesture like cleaning their house or delivering a meal ensures they won’t have to worry about their surroundings during such an emotional time. This acts as more than just physical help, it shows that you’re considering their needs beyond the obvious. Offering specific help, like walking their dog or doing laundry, eases their burden and creates space for emotional processing.
How can thoughtful tokens like gifts aid in someone’s grief journey?
Small, meaningful gestures such as giving memory boxes, customized candles, or framed photos not only show your care but also provide tangible reminders of their loved one. These tokens help turn feelings of grief into something constructive and provide moments of reflection and healing. Memory items can focus on celebrating the life of the passed loved one, which is a meaningful step in processing loss. While gifts can’t erase pain, they serve as gestures that say, “I acknowledge your loss.”
Why is active listening without judgment important for someone grieving?
When a grieving person chooses to share their feelings, simply being a good listener is one of the most powerful ways to help. Avoid offering unsolicited advice or comparing their grief to your own experiences. Say things like, “I’m here for you” or “Please share how you feel.” This allows them to express their emotions freely without fear of judgment or dismissal. Creating this safe space reinforces your role as a supportive figure in their grieving process.
Can activities like journaling or planting a garden make grief easier to cope with?
Yes, such mindful healing activities can significantly help someone grieving. Journaling memories about their loved one or planting a memorial garden allows them to channel their emotions constructively. These rituals don’t “erase” grief but instead invite the person to integrate the loss into their lives in a healthy way. These acts give grieving individuals something tangible to focus on, which can bring comfort and foster mental well-being.
What should I avoid saying to someone navigating grief?
Certain phrases, no matter how well-intended, might come across as dismissive or overly simplistic. Avoid saying things like “They’re in a better place” or “Everything happens for a reason,” as these can feel like an attempt to minimize their pain. Also, resist urging them to “move on” or hurrying their healing process. Healing happens on its own timeline, and it’s vital to honor that. Instead, be patient and present.
How can dining and community connections help with grief?
Dining can serve as a bridge to connect grieving individuals with a sense of community. Shared meals have historically been a cornerstone of collective healing. Platforms like MELA AI help grieving individuals or their supporters find dining spaces in Malta that prioritize mindful and soulful eating. By eating together in these welcoming environments, people can find moments of connection, solace, and emotional recovery. Restaurants that carry the MELA sticker often create atmospheres ideal for nurturing both the body and spirit.
What role does a support group play in grief recovery?
Joining or attending a support group provides a structured environment where grieving individuals can share experiences and learn coping strategies. Programs like GriefShare offer weekly discussions and resources to guide participants through their emotions. These communities remind people that they’re not alone in their pain while offering actionable steps for healing. Support groups also provide a safe space to discuss emotions that might otherwise feel isolating.
How can I introduce someone to grief-centric local rituals or practices?
Encouraging participation in local rituals or ceremonies related to grief can foster connection and healing. For example, many Mediterranean traditions involve shared meals or gatherings focused on remembrance. Inviting someone to honor a loved one through culturally appropriate rituals can give them a sense of community support. To locate Maltese restaurants that offer welcoming and mindful spaces for such experiences, consider using the MELA AI restaurant directory.
How can restaurants and mindful dining spaces help someone cope with grieving?
Dining out in mindful, health-oriented spaces can be comforting for someone dealing with grief, it provides nourishment for both the body and soul. Platforms like MELA AI showcase restaurants in Malta and Gozo that prioritize health-conscious dining. These establishments often foster a warm, healing atmosphere ideal for grieving individuals or families looking to reconnect through thoughtful meals. The MELA sticker symbolizes a commitment to customers’ well-being, making it easier to find places that genuinely care about nourishing both physical and emotional health.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp’s expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the “gamepreneurship” methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
