If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 111. For free 24/7 support, call or text 1737.
This is not a definitive guide. Grief is different for everyone. But these are some of the small, simple things that helped in the first few weeks of loss — written gently, in the hope they might help someone else.
Drinking water and eating something small
Grief suppresses appetite. But the body still needs fuel. Even a piece of toast, a handful of crackers, a banana — something is better than nothing. Keeping a glass of water nearby helped. It is a small act of care for a body that is carrying something enormous.
Letting people help with food
When people offered to bring meals, saying yes turned out to be one of the best decisions. The relief of not having to think about dinner — even once — was real. If people are offering, let them.
Sleep and rest
Sleep may be disrupted. Lying quietly without sleeping still counts as rest. Not fighting the exhaustion helped. Grief is physical as well as emotional — the body needs to recover too.
Writing things down
Grief creates a strange mental fog. Writing down practical things — what needs to happen, who to call, what to remember — helped free up space in the mind. So did writing things that were just for me. Not to share. Just to put somewhere.
Taking one day at a time
Looking too far ahead felt impossible. Focusing on just today — sometimes just the next hour — made things more manageable. One small routine. One task. One meal. That was enough.
Read more: What to Do After Someone Dies | Grief After a Death | Browse all guides
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 111. For free 24/7 support, call or text 1737.