Contact, Listen and Treat - Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone who is grieving
Author: Yvonne Tulloch
Overview: BBC Traitors star Lisa Coupland shares three simple ways to help someone who is grieving following a bereavement. Learn how small gestures can make a big difference.
Contact, Listen and Treat - Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone who is grieving
BBC Traitors star Revd Lisa Coupland shares our advice for how to support friends, family, and colleagues who are living with bereavement: Contact, Listen and Treat.
Grief can be isolating, especially when people hesitate to reach out for fear of saying the wrong thing. We encourage you to do the opposite – to make contact, to listen without trying to fix, and to treat people with special care and kindness. A card, phone call, practical help with everyday tasks, or simply being present can make a significant difference. What matters most is showing up and continuing to show up, long after the first weeks of support have passed.
Certain times of the year can be particularly painful for those who have lost someone important. Anniversaries such as birthdays, significant dates, or periods of celebration -especially during the December festive season - can heighten feelings of absence and grief. While everyone’s experience of bereavement is different, these moments often serve as difficult reminders of what has changed, making gentle, thoughtful support even more important.
As well as personal support, it can be helpful to signpost those who are grieving to specialist services, including practical information and local support available through ataloss.org, which helps connect bereaved people with organisations suited to their needs.
The film reminds us that we don’t need perfect words - just compassion and consistency. By choosing to contact, listen and treat, we help ensure that no one has to face grief without support, not just in the immediate aftermath of a death but through the longer journey of learning to live with the loss.
Lisa is an AtaLoss Ambassador. You can read more about her background and what inspired her to get involved on her AtaLoss Ambassador profile page.
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