By Lettecha Johnson
Dealing with the loss of a family member can be heartbreaking, but genuine support from others can help. Support networks helping at this time may wonder what to say, what to do, and how to provide practical ongoing support during a process that many deal with differently. Help can be as simple as remembering the deceased’s birthday or upcoming holidays, making sure they’re fed, and assisting with any necessary resources they may not be aware of.
A study by Western & Southern Financial Group showed that more than half of Americans have financial struggles after the death of a loved one, with many turning to personal loans and crowdfunding sources such as GoFundMe to help cover funerals and unexpected expenses. You can help by providing insights for navigating survivor benefits, legal assistance, or connecting them with specialized nonprofit grants to rebuild their lives after an emotionally traumatic event.
How Should You Speak to Someone in Grief?
Use their loved one’s name to help keep the memory alive, and it’s OK to share memories of them if you knew the person. Instead of saying, “Let me know if you need anything,” try suggesting concrete actions, such as asking whether you can drop off dinner on a certain day or helping with tasks around the house.
What Should You Avoid?
When helping someone navigate the loss of a family member, avoid common clichés such as “Everything happens for a reason” or “They’re in a better place.”
Let them cry and feel vulnerable at the moment, without trying to force them to be strong, especially when dealing with a Black family where being strong all the time can take an emotional toll.
What Are Ways of Providing Comfort After the Loss of a Family Member?
After losing a loved one, someone may need practical help, such as:
- Household chores
- Child care
- Pet assistance
You may pick up their children from school and invite them to play with your kids. Ask if you can walk their pets and do some household chores like running errands.
Drop off meals in disposable containers for the week or for a few days. That way, they don’t have to worry about cooking and returning dishes.
What If Someone Is Navigating a Wrongful Death Situation?
From car accidents to medical malpractice, one may be the victim of someone else’s negligence. When dealing with the death of a family member who was the victim of a wrongful death case, the grief can be even more complicated and prolonged. Now, families must not only focus on grieving, but also on getting justice, which often involves extending and reliving the trauma.
You and others can support them by directing them to someone who can negotiate a fair wrongful death settlement.
What Is Prolonged Grief Disorder in African Americans?
Prolonged grief disorder is when grief symptoms last longer than 12 months, and without help, they can persist indefinitely, causing new symptoms to emerge.
It’s a condition that Black Americans are more likely to experience and less likely to seek treatment for due to systematic barriers to care, as well as cultural stigma focused on remaining strong. The number of deaths and the isolation around it during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted some of these issues.
As Dr. M. Katherine Shear told ABC News in 2021, “It’s a precursor for depression, substance use disorders, physical illnesses, especially cardiac diseases and immune system-related diseases, and cancer.”
However, the ongoing amount of Black death in news cycles also affects the Black collective, as grief and loss go beyond personal lives. It has resulted in a constant collective grief that’s yet to be studied fully.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the 7 Steps of Grief?
- The first stage is shock and disbelief, where your brain attempts to buffer the reality of the loss.
- Denial means you try to cope by rejecting the painful truth that a loved one is gone.
- Anger happens when shock wears off, and you may now have frustration or helplessness. Some people may even blame themselves for what happened, even though it doesn’t make sense.
- Bargaining is an attempt to regain control over what happened. People may start thinking about what other choices may have affected the outcome.
- Depression and reflection develop once the weight of the loss becomes real, and sadness and loneliness set in.
- Reconstruction and working through is the stage where a person begins to gradually process their emotions and develop coping strategies.
- Acceptance and hope happen as the grieving person comes to terms with what has happened and tries to move forward as best as they can.
How Many Black People Have Been Wrongfully Executed?
Black individuals account for over half of the 200 death-row exonerations in the United States since 1973, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Exactly how many were executed before innocence could be proven is hard to determine. These were Black people who avoided wrongful execution or wrongful death for crimes they didn’t actually commit.
The Death Penalty Information Center also reports that Black Americans are 7.5 times more likely to be wrongfully convicted of murder than white Americans.
What Is the #1 Cause of Death for Black People?
The top cause of death for Black Americans is heart disease, closely followed by cancer. Higher rates of uncontrolled hypertension, obesity, and diabetes are contributing to this heart disease epidemic.
Problematic access to health care and related biases in the system that can dismiss symptoms from Black patients can also contribute to this statistic.
Be There for Someone After the Loss of a Loved One
The loss of a family member can have a devastating impact on anyone, especially depending on a person’s age or the manner in which they died. When it comes to Black Americans, the concept of death and grieving is even more complex.
That’s why a support system during this time of need is essential to healing. From dropping off a plate of food to providing information about legal or financial assistance, you can help them navigate this complicated time.
Learn more helpful life insights by reading more content on our website.
