• Mention the deceased's name... Dont ignore it. Mention them by name. They are thinking about them.
• When you send a card, always mention something you thought of about the departed. Any memory will do.
• Let them cry, scream, cuss, mourn. It won't last forever. It will have lasting effects on your friendship.
• Give them freedom to do what they feel they need to do.
• Remember the departed's anniversary of the date of death, their birthday, their wedding anniversary, etc.
  These dates are hard to deal with. Generally, grievers are depressed then, and need someone to hear them.
• Help with the children. Just take them away, often as possible so your friend has a mental break! It's needed!
• Call. Keep your invitations the same they were prior. Go to lunch, movies, dinner, whatever. Don't change now!
• Pray for them.
• Cook for them. Take them your leftovers. Too many times, nutrition needs are ignored in dealing with emotional turmoil!
• Remember them at ALL holidays--- birthdays, Christmas, VALENTINES!!! They are no longer the ones being celebrated, receiving gifts, etc. Would you be lonely? A Christian should do what Jesus would do... ponder that!
• L-I-S-T-E-N!
• Seek opportunities to be a helpmate. It is humbling, male or female, to ask for every thing you need help with.
• DO NOT be threatened by their new "single" status. They wish they weren't single! They want your friendship, only!
• DO NOT try to fix their problem.
• DO NOT set them up on a date-- no matter how long it has been.
• DO NOT tell them, "Its been long enough... You can remarry... I know how you feel.... When my cat died, or my uncle died.... blah blahh blahhh.... You can have another baby... Time heals all wounds." These pathetic cliches do not help the grieving. It only angers them.
  
  The key things you can do to be most helpful:
  
• Be there for them! Do not ignore them.
• CRY with them.
• PRAY.
• LISTEN.

Be persuaded that niether death, nor life, nor attacks by satan, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any person or circumstance which tries to quench your joy shall be able to move you from the love of GOD. He is with you always!