Someone Made a Sign for Religious People Outside a Memorial Service

[Moostache]

2. I always struggle with what to say to the grieving, but truth is they need support not words.

Expressing that you are present and that you care and that you are there for them to listen is more valuable than any words or expressions or condolences. Empathy and compassion are what separate humans from our ancestors and relatives in the animal kingdom.

That said, I too have often cringed at the "better place" and "god's plan" things. Those seem almost cruel to say to people who are left in grief and mourning. The "better place" denigrates the time and place shared with their departed loved one and the "plan" thing is just plain hurtful. What the hell kind of 'plan' involves the intentional infliction of pain on someone?

Hopefully the sign helped some people recognize the importance of just being there versus being there to say inane things because of the awkwardness of the situation for those not as acutely touched by the loss...