If you’re like most people, you’re never sure what to do or say when faced with someone’s pain. That’s why our resident illustrator, Brittany Bilyeu, made you this handy “care and feeding” guide.
Isn’t it wonderful? You can find more of Brittany’s work at her shop, Culture Flock. Be sure to spread this comic around, friends. Helping people get better at giving support is going to take a team effort.
Want more on how to help a grieving friend? Want support for yourself as you live through a life you didn’t ask for, but is here nonetheless? Be sure to check out the resources for support people here, and the resources for grieving people here.
If you’re carrying grief (no matter how recent or how old), check out our most popular, hugely amazing Writing Your Grief course. It’s not like most places on the internet. Inside the course, you can tell the whole truth about your grief – and you won’t hear a single platitude. No advice, no cheerleading, just acknowledgment and support. The next course session happens soon. All the information is right here.
And one last thing: changing the culture takes a gigantic team effort, and we’d love to have you. Join the Grief Revolution over on Patreon for the inside scoop, get access to videos and new content before anyone else in the world, and join other folks doing their best to change the world, one awkward action at a time. As a patron, you’ll not only get to see comics like this before anyone else, you’ll also be able to weigh in on what topics our comic-maven makes next! Come on over. We’ll see you there.
How about you? Where will you share this handy comic cheat-sheet? Who do you wish would improve their skills? Let us know in the comments.
this is an excellent resource! I am sharing broadly! hope that is okay. I would also like to pass it on to the caring ministry in our church. Please let me know if that is all right.
that’s great, Joan! As long as you keep the logo and the website on the piece and give credit in any text you add as you pass it along, please do share.
Hi, I work for a Holistic Wellness Center on a college campus, is there permission/a way to print copies to have out in the center as a resource for folks (credit given, of course)?
hi there. You’re welcome to print this, as long as you keep all the branding on the piece itself, and give credit in any text you add below/alongside the imagery. Thanks for asking!
My comment is that I lost my son this past January 6th, he was only 34 years old. We were extremely close. He never married. He has two beautiful daughters which I am very close too. I am currently still seeing a therapist one on one and I am in a group therapy session. it is helpful to be around others suffering from grief!
Sincerely, June
Thanks Megan. I’m a psychologist and therapist who lost a son. July will be my anniversary too. I want you to know that your blog is the one I turn to. Your perspective is the most comforting to me. I can’t abide some of the other ones about “recovery.” I love this cartoon but I hesitate to share it with friends because the very first suggestion is to leave care packages and it would feel as if I’m asking for something, whereas the other suggestions may be more meaningful at this point, 5 months in. There were many care packages in the beginning. Will think about sharing it on Facebook…
Hi, i thought about sharing this on FB, but i have no close friends or relatives. My 3 “aquaintences” have their own universes that keep them busy. My grief is the friend that keeps me busy. People seem to forget that there are people who have no extended family available, older, or to introverted. I will remember these ideas for when someone might need me! Just reading what SL said about having many care packages: SL is VERY BLESSED!
I have lost my two sons….one in 2003 and the other in 2017. I feel like an empty shell of a person. How did this happen? How did my life end up so f’d up? My daughter is rather estranged from me, so I truly feel like a mother who once had 3 children, yet now I have none. I wear a mask every day just to get through life. But inside I am dying bit by bit. I couldn’t save my sons. What kind of mother am I??? I am getting help as much as I can, but it is such a slow process I am not sure I can survive this.
Hi Susan,
I just saw your comment as I was browsing the site. (my best friends father just died, I wanted to know how to best support him) I don’t really know what to say since I don’t know you, but I wanted to make sure you knew you are not alone in the world and you are seen. You are so brave for sharing your experience and your pain. I hope you can feel a little bit of love in these words.
Virtual Stranger Hug
Hi Team,
Thanks so much for this beautiful image. Is it okay if I use it in an e-learning module on grief for a public hospital please?
With thanks and warmest regards,
Michelle