When going through grief, family relationships and marriages can be compromised.

It’s so important to realize each family member will grieve differently…even if they’re grieving the same person or event.

How can you stay close – especially if you can’t see eye to eye on how to walk through grief?

1. Honor each other’s grief.
   You do not have to agree with someone to show them compassion, love, respect, honor, deference and kindness.
2. Be sweet to each other and look for ways to help each other out in life. Laundry piling up? Help do laundry. Help each other cook meals…sometimes, cereal is most definitely a meal. Encourage each other with Bible verses or uplifting words.
3. Put yourself in each other’s shoes. Each family member should ask, “how would I feel if I were them?” Empathy goes a looooong way.
4. Understand each person will form their own individual grief style: Some may cry; some may not (tears are not the best indicator of how one is processing their grief)…some may want to talk about their loss; some may not…some will want to mention their loved one’s name or look at photos/home videos; for others, it’s presently too painful. And at any given moment, a person’s grieving style may completely flip flop or change.
5. Realize the greater the love, bond, and investment, the tougher and greater the grief will be.
6. Understand there are no timelines when it comes to grief. Someone may feel better in a few months…some may not feel better for years. Honor each others grief without putting a timetable or expectation on them.
7. Don’t quit on your family member or spouse. They need you more than ever. Don’t react…do your best to apply understanding and love them through the tough emotions. Just showing up, being available, listening, and being there is extraordinarily valuable.
8. As a family, you may want to talk with a pastor or grief counselor. It can be incredibly helpful and beneficial. It truly helps to have a professional hear from all parties and facilitate a plan to provide what’s needed.
9. Attend GriefShare together. You’ll learn so much about grief, your loved ones, as well as yourself.
10. It won’t always be like this. It won’t always hurt this bad. Words spoken won’t always reflect how someone truly feels. Realize what’s said during grief may not be communicated in the right – or the kindest – way. Please don’t hold things against each other. Love each other back to life.

Grief is HARD. It can be tough to find relief for your hurting, weary heart, and can be tough to find ways to rebuild your life…especially in a family or marriage.

You’ll make it through this.
Be sure to make it through this tough time with God and each other.🩷

©2023 Grief Bites. All rights reserved.

❤️If you were encouraged by this post, please feel free to share it to encourage others!

⭐️For more encouragement:

❤️Making peace with God: http://www.peacewithgod.net

❤️Getting Your Breath Back After Life Knocks It Out of You (Kim’s book): https://www.christianbook.com/getting-knocks-transparent-journey-seeking-through/k-b-h-niles/

❤️Connect on Facebook by “liking” page: https://www.facebook.com/GettingYourBreathBackAfterGrief

❤️Kim’s blog: https://www.griefbites.com

❤️FREE YouVersion reading plans:

1. Grief Bites: Finding Treasure In Hardships: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/912-grief-bites-finding-treasure-in-hardships

2. Grief Bites: Doubt Revealed: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/954-grief-bites-doubt-revealed

3. Grief Bites: A New Approach To Growing Through Grief https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/862-grief-bites

4. Grief Bites: Hope For The Holidays: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/1964-grief-bites-hope-for-the-holidays

5. Experiencing Holidays With Jesus: Christmas: http://bible.com/r/3V5

6. Experiencing Holidays With Jesus: Happy New Year!: http://bible.com/r/3Zv

7. Valentine’s Day: Experiencing Holidays With Jesus: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/14059-valentines-day-experiencing-holidays-with-jesus

⭐️All content on the Grief Bites blog and website is copyright protected material. Please ask for permission to copy, use, or print.

⭐️⭐️All content on the Grief Bites blog and website is for encouragement purposes only and is not in any way to be construed as medical, emotional, mental, relational, or psychological advice. We hope to serve as a bridge to encourage others by sharing our personal grief and life experiences. Please contact a qualified healthcare professional, mental health professional, or qualified pastor for guidance and advice.