How to Be a Grief Ally and Support Someone Through Their Grief
The next time you go to say “I’m so sorry for your loss, please let me know if there’s anything you need…” consider that your friend, family member, colleague, or community member might not know what they need. Life and Soul was created to be the antidote to this problem.
Instead, now that you know us, you can use our resources below to provide support upfront. As a grief ally, you might:
Send them our Empathy Poem (print out or email) and add a personal note utilizing our Sympathy Card Sample Language
Download our Guide to Supporting Grievers on ways you can personally help
Offer to accompany them to one of our community events
Simply let them know that professional support exists when they're ready
Remember: Supporting someone through grief isn't about having all the answers. It's about showing up, again and again, to remind them they're not alone. And sometimes, it's about sitting together in comfortable silence—or sharing a laugh about that ridiculous thing their person would have said in this moment.
Overview of Life and Soul’s Services
If someone you care about is navigating life after a significant loss, we're here to help. Life and Soul offers personalized services that can lighten their burden and honor their grief journey:
Funeral and Commemoration Services
Our founder Melanie Wilson is a certified Life Cycle® Funeral & Memorial Celebrant who can help create meaningful ceremonies to honor life and legacy—from traditional services to unique celebrations-of-life. Yes, we can help with everything from museum tributes to beach ceremonies with favorite sodas instead of champagne!
After Loss Management
The practical tasks following a death can be overwhelming (hello, endless phone calls and paperwork!). We coach grievers through organizing as an executor, creating a timeline and action plan, and managing important documents and accounts—because no one should have to Google "what to do after someone dies" alone.
End-of-Life Planning
For those thinking ahead, we guide clients through creating comprehensive end-of-life plans that reflect personal values and ease the burden on loved ones. Think of it as the ultimate act of love: making things easier for your people when you're no longer around to help them.
Death of the Party Community Events
Our events offer spaces for grievers to connect with others who understand, explore their grief creatively, and find moments of belonging in their grief journey. We promise these aren't just sob-fests—we've had everything from museum tours to comedy shows. Because being "the death of the party" can sometimes lead to the most meaningful connections.
Grief Ally Fact:
Your support matters, at any time
We’ve heard folks say “If only we’d heard about your services a couple of years ago, we could’ve helped our loved one…” One of the most painful experiences for someone grieving is feeling that others have "moved on" or "forgotten" about their loss while they continue to carry it. That's why reaching out and sharing our services or another option from our support guide—whether it's been weeks, months, or even years since the death—can be profoundly meaningful.