Grief & Support
Access obituary examples, understand the grieving process, and discover meaningful ways to honor loved ones
Anticipatory Grief: What It Is and What Actually Helps When You're Grieving Before the Death
Anticipatory grief—the exhaustion of mourning a loss that hasn't happened yet—affects roughly 25% of caregivers, with intensity driven more by caregiving burden than disease severity. Evidence shows that targeted supports like 10-week acceptance therapy programs and simple presence techniques significantly reduce distress and help you stay present for what matters.
Read more
Grief in the Workplace: Navigating Time Off and Professional Boundaries
U.S. federal law doesn't require bereavement leave, so most workers get only 3-5 paid days while grief impacts productivity for months. Check if your state mandates it—California, Illinois, Maryland, Oregon and Washington do—then layer company policy with accrued PTO or medical leave under FMLA/ADA if grief affects your health. Document all requests and set boundaries, as nearly half of bereaved employees face workplace repercussions.
Read more
Supporting a Grieving Friend: What to Say (and What Not to Say)
You don't need perfect words to support a grieving friend—just genuine presence. The key is companioning, not counseling: acknowledge loss directly by name, validate pain without minimizing it, and replace vague "let me know" offers with specific actions like "I'll bring dinner Tuesday" or "I'm free to sit with you Saturday."
Read more
Creative Memorial Ideas: Beyond Traditional Funerals
Traditional funerals cost $8,300 on average, but you can honor someone meaningfully for $1,000–$4,000 with alternatives like direct cremation, scattering ceremonies, or human composting. This guide provides legal requirements, cost breakdowns, and practical planning steps for personalized, eco-conscious memorials.
Read more
How to Write an Obituary: A Step-by-Step Guide With Examples and Templates
Writing an obituary while grieving is easier with this practical guide's copy-ready templates, real examples, and cost breakdowns (local papers: $100–$400; major metros: $1,000+). Learn what to include, what to skip, and essential legal/privacy considerations like HIPAA rules that affect what you publish.
Read more
Understanding the Stages of Grief: What's Normal and What's Not
The five stages of grief aren't a required sequence—real grief is messier and highly individual. While about 90% of people naturally adapt within 6-12 months, persistent debilitating symptoms beyond 12 months may signal Prolonged Grief Disorder, a treatable condition affecting 7-10% of bereaved adults. This guide helps you identify which patterns are normal and when professional support is needed.
Read more
How to Talk to Children About Death: A Practical Guide for Parents and Caregivers
Nearly 1 in 11 US children lose a parent or sibling by age 18. This guide offers parents a practical 5-step framework for talking to kids about death using direct, age-appropriate language that evolves from simple body-based explanations for toddlers to supporting teens' existential questions.
Read more