Image from www.recover-from-grief.comLife is full of ups and downs, and a few of each category will seem to hit us when we least expect it. When a coworker loses a loved one, it can bring complete chaos to their professional and personal life. And though these situations can be awkward and uncomfortable for each party, make sure you abide by the following to offer the best support possible for your coworker:
- Express condolences right away: Be sure to acknowledge what happened and express your sympathy as soon as you are able to see/call the person. Pretending it didn’t happen or avoiding the topic shows a lack of real concern and can cause hurt feelings.
- Attending the funeral: If there is an open funeral being held and you are able to attend, you should try to go, especially if you are close with the coworker. This is the most obvious way to show support for them in their grieving process.
- Read the obituary to find out where to send flowers or donate a memoriam: If you cannot attend the funeral, certainly send flowers to express your condolences along with a card or designate a memoriam to their favorite charity (these days it is common for the family to include their loved one's favorite charity in the obituary). It is acceptable to pull resources with office mates for a joint donation or flowers to let your coworker know you are supporting them during this time.
- Be specific about how you can help: Many people will reach out during times of distress to friends and coworkers to let them know they can help. But the best way to do this is to be specific about what you can do for them. Perhaps you can offer to check their work voicemail, handle their clients, or bring dinner to their house. This keeps your grieving coworker or friend from having to organize or think about daily tasks, which can be extremely difficult during their time of loss.
Making Etiquette Easy,
Susan K. Medina
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