Below are some useful "Do's & Don'ts" when supporting family or friends during their time of need. May you find these tips most helpful.

DO'S 

DO Allow them to express as much  as they are able and are willing to share with you.

DO be available; to listen, to run errands, to help with the other children, or whatever else seems needed at the time.

DO deal with the individual gently and positively.

DO encourage them to be patient with themselves and not to expect too much of themselves.

DO give special attention to the child's brothers and sisters at the funeral and in the months to come (they are often in need of attention which their parents may not be able to give).

DO recognize that grieving has no time limit and varies from individual to individual both in the way they express their grief and the time required to stabilize.

DON'TS 

DON'T avoid mentioning their loss or the person's name out of fear of reminding them of their pain (they haven't forgotten it!).

DON'T change the subject when they mention their deceased loved one.

DON'T tell them what they should feel or do.

DON'T make any comments which in any way suggest that their loss was their fault.

DON'T point out that at least they have their other children (children are not interchangeable; they can not replace each other).

DON'T say “you can always have another child” , "you can always get married again", or other related comments in effort to minimize their loss.