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"Your Friend’s Loved One Just Died - Here’s How To Help" |
Six Practical Ideas |
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| When someone dies suddenly, or there’s some other family crisis, loved ones often face an upheaval in their lives and terrible emotional strain. |
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| In addition, whether the crisis is local or out of town, they’re forced to manage an endless stream of decisions, planning, errands, details, logistics. etc. Many people end up exhausted
and overwhelmed. |
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“Let me know if there’s anything I can do...” |
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| Here are six practical things you can do: |
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1. |
Provide or arrange transportation to and from the airport or train station.
If the crisis is located in your local area, have your friend outsource transportation of
his or her inbound friends and family to you (delegate to others as needed). Tell your
friend to give out your name, telephone number and email address to everyone in need
of transportation. It’s important to communicate clearly and stay organized. Research
options for those who prefer to rent vehicles or use taxi or car services. |
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2. |
Provide or arrange housing for incoming friends & family. Again, have your
friend outsource all of this to you and give out your name, home & mobile phone
numbers and email address to everyone in need of housing. Do some research and
create a list with several options, outlining prices, proximity to relevant locations,
availability, etc. Consider reserving a block of rooms at a group rate, though be careful
to avoid a situation where you end up paying fees or penalties. |
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3. |
Provide baby-sitting/supervision/entertainment for children. Whether for
your friend’s own children or for the children of people visiting from out of town, this
can be very helpful. |
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4. |
Answer the telephone at your friend’s house. There may be more than a hundred
calls per day during a crisis, many of which are simple requests for information (dates,
addresses, directions, etc.). Managing even half of these calls can be extremely helpful.
Depending upon your friendship and your friend’s wishes for privacy, consider offering
the same help with your friend’s email. |
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5. |
House and care for your friend’s pets. Your friend’s pets might become a burden
during a crisis. Make sure you are comfortable with the animals and able to properly
care for them. |
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6. |
Be a chauffer, “go-fer” and helping hand throughout the crisis. Get your
friend’s car washed & cleaned, pick-up groceries & drycleaning, shuttle kids to school
and activities, drive out-of-town people to and from locations, etc. |
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| “Thank you so much for allowing me to help.” These words will ensure your friend knows how sincere you are (many people have difficulty accepting assistance, even when it’s badly needed). |
From the publisher of “The It’s All Right Here Life & Affairs Organizer”
by Mark Gavagan & Patricia M. Kimble, LCSWR
www.AffairsOrganizer.com
* Anyone is welcome to share, copy, or reprint freely, so long as the source above is cited *
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