Willow Tree

Watching a friend lose a loved one is hard. Knowing what to say and how to comfort them in their time of need can be a tricky road to navigate. Aphorisms and clichés just don’t cut it sometimes. Instead, find other ways to show your sympathy in personally meaningful ways. Try a heartfelt letter using appropriate language, find a few beautiful sympathy gifts , give them the space they need, or just let them know that you’re available if they need anything. Here are a few ways you can express love and support, but as long as you approach your friend with understanding and an open heart, they’ll probably know they can rely on you. Write a Letter It’s easy to fall back on clichés such as, “they are in a better place,” or, “you’ll feel better soon,” when talking to a grieving friend. Clichés tend to do more harm than good. Writing out a letter lets you choose exactly what you are going to say and is more personal and sincere than a text or email. Your friend can respond...

There’s no right or wrong way to process grief after a loved one passes away, and the same can be said about honoring that person on the anniversary of their passing. Everyone deals with loss differently. From bereavement gifts to sympathy cards and flowers, there are many ways to remember a lost loved one and offer support to others. Some people want to fully feel their sadness and be alone, while others may feel compelled to keep the day upbeat and share stories—or perhaps a mix of both. As the day draws near, think about how you’d like to celebrate a loved one’s life or honor them on the anniversary of their passing. Bring Flowers and Reminisce For many, taking flowers to a loved one’s grave or memorial site brings comfort. If you are too far away, go somewhere quiet and peaceful where you can reflect upon their life. You can sit and just think of the memories you have shared or journal your thoughts about them, noting special moments and and perhaps what you...

Losing a loved one is a tough life event to go through. While there’s nothing anyone can do to fully alleviate the pain of a grieving person whose loved one has passed away, you can still show sympathy in a variety of ways to let them know you care. If you’re not sure what you should do for a friend or family member when someone passes away, here are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding sympathy gift etiquette. Should I Send Flowers? Having “funeral flowers” delivered to the funeral home or church is an appropriate way to express sympathy after a death. Or, you could send “sympathy flowers” directly to a loved one of the deceased. Funeral flowers are considered a tribute to the deceased at the funeral service. They are more formal and usually come in larger arrangements than sympathy flowers. Sympathy flowers can be delivered upon hearing the news of the death or can even be sent a week or so after the funeral to remind someone you are still think...

Memorial Day is usually associated with a three-day weekend and the unofficial start to summer because it falls on the last Monday of May every year. However, we can’t forget what the true purpose of Memorial Day is about, which is to remember the U.S. military men and women who have died in the line of service. Many people spend the day putting flowers or small flags on graves, lending a hand to living veterans, and attending parades to honor our nation’s fallen heroes. If you are wondering what you can do as an individual to pay your respects, here a few more ideas to add meaning to your Memorial Day on May 27. Fly the U.S. Flag Some people uphold the tradition of displaying an American flag in their front yard or on their house to honor soldiers. It reminds everyone of the sacrifices that have been made for our freedoms. On Memorial Day, American flags are to be flown at half-staff until noon. After that, you may raise the flag back to the top of the pole. At da...