6 Questions to Ask a Grieving Friend or Family Member (2024)

My family and friends were very happy with every aspect of the preparation and celebration of the end of my wife. When I knew the end was near I spoke to Yvonne who explained to me what would happen and this was done with delicacy and tact. When the end came Yvonne came to our house and explained every aspect of what would happen. We explained what we wanted for Margaret's farewell and nothing was too much trouble for Yvonne to explain or discuss. On the day of the funeral everything went like clockwork and all my relatives and friends told me how impressed they were. So thank you to Yvonne for being celebrant and MC at the farewell and thank you to all the Lady Anne team. If I were asked to score the service my family received it would be ten out of ten.

Dick Hodge

I would like to thank you and the whole team at Lady Anne Funerals for making mums funeral the perfect goodbye. The funeral was everything and so much more than mum wanted. Nothing seemed to be too hard and that made my time far simpler than i had expected.

The whole day was perfect and we noticed with love all the special touches from the bookmarks to the candle to the display screen with Iris's. Thank you so much. Your team felt like part of the family rather than people doing a job.
That i believe is what sets Lady Anne apart.

I cant thank you enough.

Pete

I want to send a heartfelt 'thank you’ to you both, and your team, for your compassion and your assistance in taking meticulous care of Dad and arranging such a beautiful end of life service for him. Within a matter of only a few days, which included a weekend, you were able to organise the perfect service tailored to our requests.

Not only did you organise the attendance of the RSL representative, you also went to considerable trouble to download the music and videos we had chosen, in a format that could be utilised in the service.We greatly appreciated your guidance too with organising the order of service and arranging a printed copy of the tributes for one of our friends who was deaf.

Thank you Yvonne for doing a magnificent job as the celebrant. We greatly appreciated you reading our tributes to Maurie on the family’s behalf. Thank you too for reading the poem, 'The Dash’ so beautifully.

It was comforting for our family and friends to come together in a more intimate setting, which your chapel provides. The light refreshments, which followed the service, were ideal, allowing the family to stay on and share their memories.

Dad quite often had high expectations of the way things should be done, bless him, so I was particularly mindful of doing him proud with this last expression of our love for him and a tribute to his long and meaningful life. We achieved this, with your help, and I know he would have been deeply touched and honoured. Thank you for you for all you did.

Annie

"I just wanted to say a big thank you to you and your amazing team. I couldn’t have asked for things to go any better. Everything was perfect. And your ladies were beautiful. Your Yvonne is amazing. She is patient, compassionate, caring and delivers perfection in all the elements of the proceedings. She has been an absolute Gem.

Once again thank you so very much. I would highly recommend anyone to use your company if they want a perfect funeral service. 5 star service. 5 star outcome.

There were multiple compliments on the service, on your ladies and on the care from the attendees. I’m more than happy for you to post this on any media platform as a compliment and tribute to your company.

Thank you."

Anne Leslie

“I just wanted to send you our sincerest thanks for everything you and your incredible team did for us in making the most perfect day, celebration and farewell of our beautiful Harper.

I have given a lot of thought to your business and the industry and I think it is perhaps the most important business for families to get it right when it comes to planning a funeral which may be sudden or may be a long time in the making. Either way, when one is faced with the unfortunate situation of needing to arrange a funeral, only then do you realise the importance of getting it right.

We experienced first hand the polar opposites the industry offers. It is not just about the cars, the booklets, the music and all the things that make up the day - its about the service, the care and most importantly it’s about the people.

From our very first conversation we could sense your genuine care to our situation and your attention to detail was obvious - this was very different to the previous conversations we had with others we had been referred to. Those other companies wanted to commence meetings with the paperwork side of things upfront which is a very confronting thing to do just days after losing your loved one - and when one of the others that I am referencing couldn’t even refernece our daughters name as our meeting started - we were horrified of how poor the service of care could be.

This is where you and your team shine. After feeling very lost in our search to secure the perfect funeral director to create the perfect day, my wife all of a sudden recalled you standing out the front of your office each morning watering the surrounding gardens to ensure a beautiful front of house. Well, I can assure you, it is not just the front of house that is beautiful - its the entire package that is beautiful.

Your manner, your direction and your expertise is evident from the get go. Nothing is too hard for you or your amazing team. The personal care made us feel like we were the only funeral you were working with at the time, and that’s exactly how it should be.

The finer detail, such as driving past our house so our daughter could go past our house one last time, then leaving the most beautiful flowers on our doorstep, to bumping into us at the Church because you were just doing your own research to make sure the day was seamless. This combined with your recommendations from every aspect as everything was very foreign to us, you were able to guide us to achieve the most beautiful farewell.

The day itself was simply perfect. Not once did we have a concern. The car was shining, your team dressed beautifully, cold water provided for us, directions for our guests, directions for us. Everyone commented on how amazing the day was and how incredibly your team were. Seamless is the only word I can use. It doesn’t stop here.

Your personal care and guidance then allowed us a more intimate farewell the following day (we are so grateful for for this recommendation and possibly would have missed this special day if you had suggested it was the best idea). Again, you and your team made us feel like you had nowhere else to be, and no one else to help. Just us. The setting was beautiful, the celebrant (that you arrange and recommend) is a delightful, your team make this day even more special than the last.

This is something we never want to go through again but there will be so many others, that like us, have no idea where to start to look for the right funeral director for their own special day. All I can say is that I hope that they appoint Lady Anne Funerals. We learnt a lot quickly and it is again a business many do not ever consider needing but without question one of the most important businesses to select the right person and the right team.

I welcome any of your future potential clients to contact me if they wish to discuss our experience with the amazing Lady Anne team. We thank you for giving our beautiful baby the most incredible farewell that was exactly how we imagined it, you just made it happen.”

Lee Dowdall

“We wish to thank you for having helped us put together a beautiful farewell for our mother, one which she would have been delighted with.

It was a difficult day and it would have been worse without your synchronised, seamless and consistent presence as well as attention to detail.

We value your candour as the people you are and the very sensitive manner in which you conducted the service.

Thanking you from the bottom of our hearts,

The Pastore Family

Karen has supported my Mum and me through the most difficult week of our lives as we not only planned a funeral, but interred my Dad to his new home. I will be forever grateful to Karen for her ongoing support, guidance, kindness, empathy and friendship over the last week. Karen has now become part of our extended circle of close family friends.

Daughter of the late Sveta Dordevich

Lady Anne Funerals has the compassion, understanding and empathy that many of the larger funeral homes do not possess. My aunts funeral was dignified and classy everything she deserved. I would highly recommend Lady Anne (and have) as they go above and beyond.

Joanne Marks

I am overwhelmed with the feedback on how beautiful it all was from all who attended. You and the other ladies were wonderful, looked so elegant, and made the day so very special for all who loved Paul.

Barbara Sommerville Enright

Karen and her staff treated us with the utmost respect we could not have been in better hands during this difficult time. My mum had organised her funeral with a prepaid funeral plan which she had purchased from Karen almost ten years ago this also made this upsetting time much easier to deal with and she got all the things that she wished for.

Malcolm Ellis

On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Lady Anne Funerals for a beautiful service yesterday for my aunt Dot. All who attended commented on how lovely the service was & the professionalism of all the staff. Thanks again very much for helping making a sad day one of celebration of Dot’s life.

Judith Neville

View all testimonials

" } , { "@context":"http://schema.org/", "@type":"Review", "itemReviewed":{ "@type":"Organization", "name":"Lady Anne Funerals" }, "reviewRating":{ "@type":"Rating", "ratingValue":5 }, "author":{ "@type":"Person", "name":"Pete" }, "reviewBody":"

I would like to thank you and the whole team at Lady Anne Funerals for making mums funeral the perfect goodbye. The funeral was everything and so much more than mum wanted. Nothing seemed to be too hard and that made my time far simpler than i had expected.

The whole day was perfect and we noticed with love all the special touches from the bookmarks to the candle to the display screen with Iris's. Thank you so much. Your team felt like part of the family rather than people doing a job.
That i believe is what sets Lady Anne apart.

I cant thank you enough.

" } , { "@context":"http://schema.org/", "@type":"Review", "itemReviewed":{ "@type":"Organization", "name":"Lady Anne Funerals" }, "reviewRating":{ "@type":"Rating", "ratingValue":5 }, "author":{ "@type":"Person", "name":"Annie " }, "reviewBody":"

I want to send a heartfelt 'thank you’ to you both, and your team, for your compassion and your assistance in taking meticulous care of Dad and arranging such a beautiful end of life service for him. Within a matter of only a few days, which included a weekend, you were able to organise the perfect service tailored to our requests.

Not only did you organise the attendance of the RSL representative, you also went to considerable trouble to download the music and videos we had chosen, in a format that could be utilised in the service.We greatly appreciated your guidance too with organising the order of service and arranging a printed copy of the tributes for one of our friends who was deaf.

Thank you Yvonne for doing a magnificent job as the celebrant. We greatly appreciated you reading our tributes to Maurie on the family’s behalf. Thank you too for reading the poem, 'The Dash’ so beautifully.

It was comforting for our family and friends to come together in a more intimate setting, which your chapel provides. The light refreshments, which followed the service, were ideal, allowing the family to stay on and share their memories.

Dad quite often had high expectations of the way things should be done, bless him, so I was particularly mindful of doing him proud with this last expression of our love for him and a tribute to his long and meaningful life. We achieved this, with your help, and I know he would have been deeply touched and honoured. Thank you for you for all you did.

" } , { "@context":"http://schema.org/", "@type":"Review", "itemReviewed":{ "@type":"Organization", "name":"Lady Anne Funerals" }, "reviewRating":{ "@type":"Rating", "ratingValue":5 }, "author":{ "@type":"Person", "name":"Anne Leslie" }, "reviewBody":"

"I just wanted to say a big thank you to you and your amazing team. I couldn’t have asked for things to go any better. Everything was perfect. And your ladies were beautiful. Your Yvonne is amazing. She is patient, compassionate, caring and delivers perfection in all the elements of the proceedings. She has been an absolute Gem.

Once again thank you so very much. I would highly recommend anyone to use your company if they want a perfect funeral service. 5 star service. 5 star outcome.

There were multiple compliments on the service, on your ladies and on the care from the attendees. I’m more than happy for you to post this on any media platform as a compliment and tribute to your company.

Thank you."

" } , { "@context":"http://schema.org/", "@type":"Review", "itemReviewed":{ "@type":"Organization", "name":"Lady Anne Funerals" }, "reviewRating":{ "@type":"Rating", "ratingValue":5 }, "author":{ "@type":"Person", "name":"Lee Dowdall" }, "reviewBody":"“I just wanted to send you our sincerest thanks for everything you and your incredible team did for us in making the most perfect day, celebration and farewell of our beautiful Harper.

I have given a lot of thought to your business and the industry and I think it is perhaps the most important business for families to get it right when it comes to planning a funeral which may be sudden or may be a long time in the making. Either way, when one is faced with the unfortunate situation of needing to arrange a funeral, only then do you realise the importance of getting it right.

We experienced first hand the polar opposites the industry offers. It is not just about the cars, the booklets, the music and all the things that make up the day - its about the service, the care and most importantly it’s about the people.

From our very first conversation we could sense your genuine care to our situation and your attention to detail was obvious - this was very different to the previous conversations we had with others we had been referred to. Those other companies wanted to commence meetings with the paperwork side of things upfront which is a very confronting thing to do just days after losing your loved one - and when one of the others that I am referencing couldn’t even refernece our daughters name as our meeting started - we were horrified of how poor the service of care could be.

This is where you and your team shine. After feeling very lost in our search to secure the perfect funeral director to create the perfect day, my wife all of a sudden recalled you standing out the front of your office each morning watering the surrounding gardens to ensure a beautiful front of house. Well, I can assure you, it is not just the front of house that is beautiful - its the entire package that is beautiful.

Your manner, your direction and your expertise is evident from the get go. Nothing is too hard for you or your amazing team. The personal care made us feel like we were the only funeral you were working with at the time, and that’s exactly how it should be.

The finer detail, such as driving past our house so our daughter could go past our house one last time, then leaving the most beautiful flowers on our doorstep, to bumping into us at the Church because you were just doing your own research to make sure the day was seamless. This combined with your recommendations from every aspect as everything was very foreign to us, you were able to guide us to achieve the most beautiful farewell.

The day itself was simply perfect. Not once did we have a concern. The car was shining, your team dressed beautifully, cold water provided for us, directions for our guests, directions for us. Everyone commented on how amazing the day was and how incredibly your team were. Seamless is the only word I can use. It doesn’t stop here.

Your personal care and guidance then allowed us a more intimate farewell the following day (we are so grateful for for this recommendation and possibly would have missed this special day if you had suggested it was the best idea). Again, you and your team made us feel like you had nowhere else to be, and no one else to help. Just us. The setting was beautiful, the celebrant (that you arrange and recommend) is a delightful, your team make this day even more special than the last.

This is something we never want to go through again but there will be so many others, that like us, have no idea where to start to look for the right funeral director for their own special day. All I can say is that I hope that they appoint Lady Anne Funerals. We learnt a lot quickly and it is again a business many do not ever consider needing but without question one of the most important businesses to select the right person and the right team.

I welcome any of your future potential clients to contact me if they wish to discuss our experience with the amazing Lady Anne team. We thank you for giving our beautiful baby the most incredible farewell that was exactly how we imagined it, you just made it happen.”

" } , { "@context":"http://schema.org/", "@type":"Review", "itemReviewed":{ "@type":"Organization", "name":"Lady Anne Funerals" }, "reviewRating":{ "@type":"Rating", "ratingValue":5 }, "author":{ "@type":"Person", "name":"The Pastore Family" }, "reviewBody":"

“We wish to thank you for having helped us put together a beautiful farewell for our mother, one which she would have been delighted with.

It was a difficult day and it would have been worse without your synchronised, seamless and consistent presence as well as attention to detail.

We value your candour as the people you are and the very sensitive manner in which you conducted the service.

Thanking you from the bottom of our hearts,

" } , { "@context":"http://schema.org/", "@type":"Review", "itemReviewed":{ "@type":"Organization", "name":"Lady Anne Funerals" }, "reviewRating":{ "@type":"Rating", "ratingValue":5 }, "author":{ "@type":"Person", "name":"Daughter of the late Sveta Dordevich" }, "reviewBody":"Karen has supported my Mum and me through the most difficult week of our lives as we not only planned a funeral, but interred my Dad to his new home. I will be forever grateful to Karen for her ongoing support, guidance, kindness, empathy and friendship over the last week. Karen has now become part of our extended circle of close family friends." } , { "@context":"http://schema.org/", "@type":"Review", "itemReviewed":{ "@type":"Organization", "name":"Lady Anne Funerals" }, "reviewRating":{ "@type":"Rating", "ratingValue":5 }, "author":{ "@type":"Person", "name":"Joanne Marks" }, "reviewBody":"Lady Anne Funerals has the compassion, understanding and empathy that many of the larger funeral homes do not possess. My aunts funeral was dignified and classy everything she deserved. I would highly recommend Lady Anne (and have) as they go above and beyond." } , { "@context":"http://schema.org/", "@type":"Review", "itemReviewed":{ "@type":"Organization", "name":"Lady Anne Funerals" }, "reviewRating":{ "@type":"Rating", "ratingValue":5 }, "author":{ "@type":"Person", "name":"Barbara Sommerville Enright" }, "reviewBody":"I am overwhelmed with the feedback on how beautiful it all was from all who attended. You and the other ladies were wonderful, looked so elegant, and made the day so very special for all who loved Paul." } , { "@context":"http://schema.org/", "@type":"Review", "itemReviewed":{ "@type":"Organization", "name":"Lady Anne Funerals" }, "reviewRating":{ "@type":"Rating", "ratingValue":5 }, "author":{ "@type":"Person", "name":"Malcolm Ellis" }, "reviewBody":"Karen and her staff treated us with the utmost respect we could not have been in better hands during this difficult time. My mum had organised her funeral with a prepaid funeral plan which she had purchased from Karen almost ten years ago this also made this upsetting time much easier to deal with and she got all the things that she wished for." } , { "@context":"http://schema.org/", "@type":"Review", "itemReviewed":{ "@type":"Organization", "name":"Lady Anne Funerals" }, "reviewRating":{ "@type":"Rating", "ratingValue":5 }, "author":{ "@type":"Person", "name":"Judith Neville" }, "reviewBody":"On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Lady Anne Funerals for a beautiful service yesterday for my aunt Dot. All who attended commented on how lovely the service was & the professionalism of all the staff. Thanks again very much for helping making a sad day one of celebration of Dot’s life." } ]}

As someone deeply immersed in the field of funeral services and end-of-life celebrations, I understand the profound impact these moments have on individuals and their families. My expertise extends beyond the mere logistics of funerals; it encompasses the delicate art of crafting meaningful and personalized farewells. Over the years, I've had the privilege of working closely with families, providing compassionate support and ensuring that every detail of the farewell aligns with their wishes.

Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the testimonials for Lady Anne Funerals:

  1. Celebrant and Master of Ceremonies (MC):

    • Yvonne is mentioned as both a celebrant and MC. In the context of funerals, a celebrant plays a crucial role in conducting the ceremony, offering comforting words, and guiding attendees through the proceedings. The MC ensures that the event flows smoothly.
  2. Attention to Detail:

    • The testimonials highlight the meticulous attention to detail by Lady Anne Funerals. This includes special touches like bookmarks, candles, display screens with Iris's, and even the choice of music and videos.
  3. Compassion and Guidance:

    • The team is praised for their compassion, guidance, and the seamless organization of services tailored to the family's requests. This involves understanding the emotional needs of the family and offering support throughout the entire process.
  4. Personalization:

    • Lady Anne Funerals goes beyond standard services, personalizing farewells to reflect the unique personalities and preferences of the departed individuals. This includes arranging intimate settings, recommending celebrants, and incorporating meaningful tributes.
  5. Customer Service and Family Involvement:

    • The testimonials emphasize that the Lady Anne Funerals team becomes an integral part of the family during these challenging times. The personal care provided, such as leaving flowers on the doorstep and driving past the family's house, showcases a commitment to exceptional customer service.
  6. Professionalism:

    • The professionalism of the team is highlighted, from their elegant appearance to the seamless execution of the funeral service. The testimonials repeatedly mention the high level of professionalism exhibited by Lady Anne Funerals.
  7. Prepaid Funeral Plans:

    • Some testimonials mention the advantage of having prepaid funeral plans, making the process easier for the family during a difficult time. This demonstrates foresight and a commitment to fulfilling the deceased's wishes.
  8. Dignified and Classy Services:

    • Lady Anne Funerals is commended for providing dignified and classy services, setting them apart from larger funeral homes. This speaks to the importance of empathy and understanding in the funeral service industry.

These testimonials collectively paint a picture of Lady Anne Funerals as a compassionate, detail-oriented, and customer-focused service provider in the realm of end-of-life celebrations. The emphasis on personalization, guidance, and professionalism sets them apart and contributes to the positive experiences shared by the families they've served.

6 Questions to Ask a Grieving Friend or Family Member (2024)

FAQs

What are good questions to ask a grieving person? ›

Ask questions that encourage reflection on his/her reactions to grief
  • Some people have trouble eating or sleeping after a loved one dies. Are you eating OK? ...
  • What about other difficult times in your life? ...
  • What coping skills have you used in past crises?

What are good discussion questions for grief? ›

What parts of grief are surprising/frustrating/ most difficult? What kind of (parent/sibling/child/spouse/ partner/friend) was your …? What's something they did or said that annoyed you? What do you miss the most/least about the person?

What do you say to a friend who lost a family member? ›

Things to Say to Someone in Grief:
  • I can't imagine what you're going through.
  • I'm so sorry for your loss.
  • I don't know what to say, I wish I had the right words to comfort you.
  • You, your family and your loved one will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Dec 7, 2020

How do you check in on someone who is grieving? ›

Keeping in touch
  1. Continue to call, or check in with them, after the funeral too. ...
  2. Stick to any promises you make. ...
  3. Thoughtful gestures such as inviting them for coffee, or to go for a walk, or just sending a text to say you're thinking of them, can really help.
Nov 8, 2022

What is the brief grief questionnaire? ›

The scale consists of 5 questions about difficulty accepting the death, grief interference in current life, troubling thoughts related to the death, avoidance of reminders of the loss, and feeling distant from others. Each item is scored from 0 to 2 (0 = not at all, 1 = somewhat, 2 = a lot).

Should you ask a grieving person how they are feeling? ›

By listening patiently and compassionately, you're helping your loved one heal. Ask how your loved one feels. The emotions of grief can change rapidly so don't assume you know how the bereaved person feels at any given time. If you've gone through a similar loss, share your own experience if you think it would help.

What are the six common expressions of grief? ›

What Are The 6 Stages Of Grief?
  • Stage 1: Denial.
  • Stage 2: Anger.
  • Stage 3: Bargaining.
  • Stage 4: Depression.
  • Stage 5: Acceptance.
  • Stage 6: Reconstruction/Moving On.
Feb 14, 2023

What are the five grief responses? ›

The five stages – denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance – are often talked about as if they happen in order, moving from one stage to the other. You might hear people say things like 'Oh I've moved on from denial and now I think I'm entering the angry stage'.

What not to ask someone who is grieving? ›

This one is fairly straightforward: Unless they ask you for advice, just don't give any. Unsolicited advice like “You should get out more,” or “Exercise will help,” or “Try to stay positive” can make someone feel judged for their normal reaction to grief. Remember, they have to live through the pain in order to heal.

What's the best thing to say to a grieving friend? ›

Say how sorry you are

When someone is grieving, it's important to acknowledge what has happened and express your sympathy. This can be as brief as saying “I'm so sorry for your loss”, or “I heard about your dad, I'm so sorry”. It's good to try to remain aware that Christmas is not a joyful time for everyone.

How do you comfort someone who lost a family member over text? ›

I'm so sorry for the pain that you must be feeling right now; please know that I am here for you if you need a listening ear or shoulder to cry on.” “I'm sending warm wishes of peace and comfort to you in this difficult time.” “I wish I could take away your pain, but know that I'm here for you if you need me.”

What is a beautiful grieving quote? ›

"If tears could build a stairway,and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again." "Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow." "Grief is itself a medicine."

How often should you check on a grieving friend? ›

You're there to support them in their difficult time of need. Use your best judgment and trust your instincts on how often you need to check in. Depending on where the bereaved are at in their grief process, it could be daily to every few weeks or so.

How often should you text a grieving friend? ›

I would text them to let them know that you are there if they want to talk or need some moral support. I would check in with them maybe 2x a week, but let them grieve in their own way.

What are 3 things you can do to comfort a grieving person? ›

Here are some ways you can give support to someone who is grieving:
  • Be a good listener. ...
  • Respect the person's way of grieving. ...
  • Accept mood swings. ...
  • Avoid giving advice. ...
  • Refrain from trying to explain the loss. ...
  • Help out with practical tasks. ...
  • Stay connected and available. ...
  • Offer words that touch the heart.
Jul 1, 2018

How do you communicate with a grieving patient? ›

Focus on the individual experiencing this loss. Making a statement such as “I'm sorry you're suffering” demonstrates an empathetic acknowledgment. Provide space for the grieved to talk. Asking if the grieved would like to talk or share how they feel about their loss is helpful.

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