Providing Support for the Bereaved

When providing support for the bereaved:

There are many things you can do to assist a bereaved person. These include:

• sending cards or flowers
• preparing food
• providing child care
• mowing the lawn
• contributing to a cause which is meaningful to the family
• offering transportation

You may also consider the following when providing for the bereaved:

• Be available. Sometimes, grieving persons do not want to talk or listen, nor do they want you to talk or listen. They simply want you to be there for them.
  
  
• Allow the grieving person the full range of their emotions, including anger and bitterness, which may be sometimes expressed against God.
  
  
• Be patient and understanding, but not patronizing. Do not claim to know how the other person is feeling. Do not force the person to talk or share feelings if he/she does not want to.
  
  
• Do not be concerned about mentioning the deceased person''s name or sharing a fond memory of the person while in the company of the bereaved. They, too, are thinking about the deceased person, so it is acceptable and natural to bring the name into conversation.
  
  
• Remember that grieving takes time and is a natural human process. No matter how much you want to "stop the hurt," bereaved persons must endure the grieving process. Allow them and care for them as they move through it.

Cancer Support Programs at Rush

Cancer is not only a physical ordeal, it is also an emotional one, affecting cancer patients, their family and friends. To help address the whole person, we offer a number of resources to help patients and their loved ones cope in this difficult time.

Cancer support programs:

For information on the cancer support programs at Rush click here.

Pastoral Care:

To learn more about pastoral care available at Rush click here.

To reach the hospital operator, call (312) 942-5000. If you have difficulty hearing, call (312) 942-2207 (TTY/TTD).