Grief support groups, condolence advice, funeral etiquette and more

Simple things make a difference

When someone is going through a difficult time, communications and actions need not be elaborate to make a difference. Choose one or more of these five simple steps to offer your support:

Send a note to share your sadness, feelings, or memories and let the recipient know they are in your thoughts and prayers.
Bring a meal, food item, or gift card for a favorite carry-out restaurant.
Make contact before going to the grocery store, pharmacy, hardware store, or post office to see if there are errands to run.
Provide transportation to funeral home, airport, hospital, physician, treatment, or professional appointments.
Offer to answer the telephone, make telephone calls, provide updates, or just stay at the home for an hour to handle the telephone and deliveries.

Robbie Miller Kaplan is an author who writes from a unique perspective as a mother who has lost two children. She has written How to Say It When You Don't Know What to Say, a guide to help readers communicate effectively when those they care about experience loss, now available in three individual volumes: "Illness & Death," "Suicide" and "Miscarriage." Additional titles are available as e-books: "Death of a Child," "Death of a Stillborn or Newborn Baby," "Pet Loss," "Caregiver Responsibilities," "Divorce" and "Job Loss." All titles are in Amazon's Kindle Store. Click here to order.