As funeral directors and funeral home owners, you are there for your families in one of the hardest times of their lives.

From the outside, many may think that funeral directors are cruel people looking to make money off of someone’s loss, but that’s the opposite of what you try to do. Your job is to make this hard time easier for families by helping take care of their loved one in their last days, and you also help take care of them by providing what comfort you can.

We’ve come up with a list of ways you can help your families grieve. Many of you already know every trick in the book, but even if we provide one new tip, that’s one new way for you to help make a difference in someone’s life.

Words

One of the oldest and most effective ways to help someone who is grieving is to simply talk to them. Sometimes just your words are enough to help someone feel better. Just be sure you are using the right words, and not the wrong words — which may do more harm than good.

Gestures

There are many gestures that you can make to let someone know that you are thinking about them and that you care. The families you serve are an extension of your own family, so don’t be afraid to treat them like you would a relative in the same situation.

Therapy Dogs

One of the newest trends to hit funeral homes is the implementation of therapy dogs. This is obviously not an option for everyone, but the funeral homes who have given this a try have seen a lot of success. The dogs provide comfort for families without ever having to say a word.

Advice

You know death better than anyone. But the families you serve have most likely only dealt with a few deaths, and some may have never dealt with it before. Share with them tips to help them grieve, and speak with them about the options they have for remembering their loved one.

Music

Sometimes, people turn to music when they are having a difficult time. We have a few suggestions for grieving songs that you can share with your families, or you can suggest that they listen to a song that had meaning for them and the person who has passed.

Keeping Age in Mind

Another thing to keep in mind is the age of the person you are helping to grieve. While adults have a better understanding of what is happening and a grasp on their emotions, children handle grief very differently and require a different approach.

What are some tips that you have for helping the grief process? Leave them in the comments below!