How Can I Help: Reaching Out to Someone Who Is Grieving

How do you help someone who is grieving? When do you call? How can you help with practical matters? What kind of emotions can you expect to encounter? Here's a helping hand with these difficult issues.

Listen to real-life stories that are easy to relate to, and benefit from concrete ideas to help others in each stage of grief.

You just found out ... Responding to the news -- what to say and do, and what not to

One week after ... Listening and offering unconditional support

First six months ... Helping with practical matters -- belongings, finances, change in residence

One-year anniversary ... Remembering their loved one

Being a support for someone who is grieving can be draining. June also helps you to remember to take care of yourself so you can keep on giving.

June Cerza Kolf served as director of bereavement and hospice-volunteer coordinator for a hospice organization in Antelope Valley, California, for more than 12 years. She has worked with both terminally ill patients and people in bereavement.