When it comes to comforting the bereaved, many people are at a loss for what to do and become overwhelmed to the point that they end up doing nothing. These inspiring ideas are meant to show you the many simple ways to comfort, provide grieving support and offer hope.

Be a Good Listener

Can you provide a listening ear to a hurting friend? If so this is one of the best ways to support a hurting friend as they go through the grieving process.

Learn the valuable skill of empathetic listening, it will transform your relationships.

Are you a good listener? Take this quiz to test your empathetic listening skills.

Comforting the Bereaved by Meeting Practical Needs

• Providing meals yourself or with friends and co-workers.
• Help with household chores and meeting practical day-to-day needs.
• Offer to write the Obituary
• Help with out of town guests
• Offer to help with writing and sending out thank you notes

Finding Hope for the Bereaved

Encourage a grieving friend to find their own special way of remembering their loved one. This is one of the best ways to help a bereaved friend cope with grief and to instill hope into a tragedy.

Creative Ideas for Remembrance

Make a scrapbook page or put together a photo album celebrating favorite memories.

Put a loved one's photo on a stamp at Stamps.com This is real postage that you can use to send out thank you cards or announcements.

Have a star named after your loved one. Go to the International Star Registry to Name a Star . This can be a very meaningful expression for a grieving child. The company gives you a certificate and a star chart to so you can find your star in the sky.

Purchase a Memorial Tree Sympathy Gift from Tree Givers. You can have a tree planted in memory of a loved one.

Plan a butterfly release memorial. Butterflies are symbolic of transformation and embarking on a new journey. It may be healing for your grieving friend to enjoy the beauty and symbolism of butterflies.

Releasing doves has become a popular choice for memorial services. You can find a dove handler in your state at the White Dove Directory.

Write a tribute of your loved one, detailing their wonderful attributes and characteristics.

Make a quilt or a quilt block that symbolizes your relationship with your departed loved one.

Make a teddy bear or stuffed toy with pieces of fabric from a favorite article of clothing.

Light a candle Join the Worldwide Candle lighting for remembering children, organized by the compassionate friends. It is Sunday December 14th, 2008 at 7 pm local time around the globe. This is believed to be the largest mass candle lighting in the world..

More ideas for honoring the memory of a loved one here.

Return Home from Comforting the Bereaved