Surviving a Suicide Loss  |  Resource and Healing Guide
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•	 Keep a list of phone calls, visitors, and people who bring food 
and gifts
•	 Offer to make calls to people they wish to notify
•	 Keep the mail straight; keep track of bills, cards, newspaper 
notices, etc.
•	 Help with errands
•	 Keep a list of medication administered
•	 Offer to help with documentation needed by the insurance 
company, such as a copy of the death certificate
Surround them with as much love and understanding as you can. 
Give them some private time — be there, but don’t smother them. 
Show love, not control.
•	 Let them talk — most of the time they just need to hear out 
loud what is going on inside their heads; they usually aren’t 
seeking advice
•	 Encourage the idea that decisions be made by the family together
•	 Expect that they will become tired easily — grieving is hard work
•	 Let them decide what they are ready for — offer your ideas but 
let them decide 
Give special attention to members of the family, both at the 
funeral and in the months to come. 
•	 Allow them to express as much grief as they are feeling at the 
moment and are willing to share
•	 Allow them to talk about the special, endearing qualities of the 
loved one they have lost
•	 Write down a story about their loved one (especially one that 
they might not know themselves) and give it to them, so that 
they can read it when they’re ready

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