Thursday, February 5, 2009

What to Say to Bereaved Parents...

It's a brand new year. My aim for this blog is going to take on a new direction. I hope I can slowly develop it into a resource for bereaved parents and their family. A place where we share how we overcame our own grief of losing 3 dear babies which we tried so hard to conceive in the 1st place.

Very often, when people hear of a loss (be it miscarriage, an early infant death or simply death of a loved one), they do not know how to react and all parties are caught in awkward silence.

From our own experience, these are some thoughtful words which one can use in times of bereavement:

What can I say when a baby dies? Some suggestions:

I am sorry for your loss.
I wish you didn't have to experience this.
I am sorry that this happened to you.
I am thinking of you during this difficult time.
(usually written)

I'm so sorry to hear this.
I wish you comfort.
I hope things will be good.
I wish this hadn't happened to you.


I'm sad for you.
I don't know why it happened.
I wish things had turned out better for you.
What can I do for you?

This has been a terrible loss for you.
I wish it hadn't turned out this way.

Words can be a powerful source of solace and comfort. People often fear so much saying the wrong thing that they often don't say anything at all but a grieving couple would like to know that family and friends are there to support them during this difficult time of loss. So next time the need arises, pick the right words and bring a ray of sunshine to someone grieving.