How To Show Empathy

Empathy - it can be hard or it can be easy.  I think it depends on the situation and the understanding on how to be empathetic in varying experiences.  

Here are a few tips on ways to show empathy to a bereaved person:

• Ask how the person is feeling today, and if they would like to talk about it.
  
• ​Asking questions such as:
  • ​Tell me what your person was like
  • What is  one of your favorite memories of the? 
  • What made them laugh? 
• Listen, which means be silent.  Don't feel the need to say something or to fill the air with words.
• Remember you cannot make a person feel better about their grief, yet you can witness it and be ok.
• Grief emotions change, often.  They are unpredictable, so please understand they have nothing to do with you, but most likely a reflection of the grief that has not been witnessed.
• The person's grief has nothing to do with your grief.  Now is not the time to compare or to share what worked for you.
• Please do not place the burden of reaching out to the bereaved.  Do not say, "call me if you need anything".   Instead, continue to reach out to them.  ​

​ These are all great ways to illustrate empathy and that you care by wanting to
 know more about their loved one and supporting them.

Ways To Show Empathy