Grief is a very personal emotion and different people will mourn in different ways. There are arguably few things more painful in life, particularly for parents, than losing a child. Many people who must undergo this traumatic experience completely shut down, closing themselves off to those closest to them. Others cannot stand to be alone with their painful thoughts.

If you know someone who has to face the death of a child, your first instinct may be to reach out immediately and do as much as you can to help. If you are particularly close to the individual in mourning, it may not seem like "enough" to visit or send flowers and your sympathies with a card. Nevertheless, during this incredibly difficult period of time, it is essential that you let them know that you care about them, that they are in your thoughts and prayers, and that you are there for them if they do need or want someone to talk to.

Of course it is certainly difficult for some people to muster up the "right words" in these tough situations. But, the truth is, when you're facing the death of a child, very few words will help someone feel better. Many times, particularly in these cases, letting someone know you care is less about words and more about actions.

Simply sitting in silence with a friend in grief, rather than asking them to open up and talk about it will make them feel better. Think about what you can do to ease some of the stress of every day life when your friend or family member is facing this crisis. Bring them some food, even if they can't gather the strength to eat it. Although initially it may seem that they do not even recognize what you are doing for them, as time passes and heals their wounds, they are likely to remember your charity.

Overall, being overly aggressive in your hopes to help a friend or family member during a difficult period of time, while well-intentioned, may end up back-firing and causing them to pull further away from you. Just keep in mind that people will grieve in their own way and at their own pace. And, most of the time, the company of a respectful, and quiet, friend in a time of mourning is usually a pleasant break from the constant sympathetic looks or words of encouragement.

Learn more about this author, Krystle Hernandez.
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