PERSPECTIVES NECESSARY TO
FACILITATE MOURNING
- Remember that you cannot take away the pain from the bereaved
- Do not let your own sense of helplessness restrain your from reaching out to the bereaved
- Expect to have the tolerate volatile reactions from the bereaved
- Recognise the value of your presence
- Make sure to view the loss from the bereaved's unique perspective
- Let genuine concern and caring show
- Do not let your personal needs determine the experience for the bereaved
- Do not attempt to explain the loss in religious or philosophical terms too early
- Do not suggest that the bereaved one feel better because there are other loved ones still alive
- Do not attempt to minimize the situation
- Do not forget to plant the seeds of hope
- Do not encourage actions or responses antithetical to healthy mourning
- Maintain an appropriate distance from the bereaved. Do not fail to hold out the expectation that the bereaved ultimately will successfully accommodate the loss and that the feelings will subside at some point.
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