Lessons From Grief Share
When showing love and kindness to someone grieving from the loss of a loved one, at the heart of it all is genuine empathy.
It’s the invisible thread that connects us all, allowing us to understand and share in each other’s experiences. It’s the foundation upon which all other forms of support are built.
Most of us have experienced a moment where words just weren’t enough to comfort someone.
Maybe you held their hand, made them a cup of tea, or simply stayed by their side.
These quiet acts of support often say more than anything you could express aloud.
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Dodie and Jack Dennis minister for their church and community through Grief Share, the largest organization for everyone who is grieving the death of a loved one.
Whether you’ve experienced the loss of a spouse, parent, child (infant, young child, teen, adult, unborn), friend, sibling, coworker, or other relative, GriefShare groups last 13 weeks, and you can begin attending at any time.
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend the full 13-week group more than once. People have said they find new tips and guidance each time, as they are dealing with new seasons of grieving.
Here are some ways to show someone you’re there for them—without uttering a single word.
● Active listening is more than just silence; it’s a powerful form of non-verbal communication that says, “I’m here for you, I’m paying attention.”
Psychology tells us that this is not about simply nodding your head or maintaining eye contact, though these are important. It’s about engaging with the person even in silence, showing empathy and understanding through your body language.
It’s about reacting appropriately to their story, showing concern, joy, or sorrow in sync with their emotions. It’s about leaning in when they’re sharing something important, or simply maintaining a gentle, open posture that invites them to share more.
● Unspoken gestures of care are another way of silently communicating your support. It’s the little things (a card, dropping off coffee at their doorstep, a book, flowers, sitting with them in silence…) that often make a huge difference.
These gestures aren’t grandiose or highly noticeable, they silently communicated presence and support without pressuring them to respond or engage.
● Physical comfort can be a powerful way to silently communicate your support for someone. A warm hug, a comforting pat on the back, or just holding their hand can speak volumes about your empathy and understanding.
● Being present is a powerful form of silent support that says, “I’m here with you, no matter what.” It’s the understanding that your presence can offer comfort and reassurance in ways words often can’t.
In the end, it’s not about saying the right things or doing the right things. It’s about being there, fully and completely. Because sometimes, all a person needs is to know that they’re not alone.
● Respectful distance allows the mourner to navigate their feelings at their own pace, knowing that support is just a message away.
Understanding when to step back is as important as knowing when to step in. It’s about respecting the individual’s process and reassuring them that they have the space they need, with your unwavering support waiting for them when they’re ready.
Here is an example of a GriefShare 1.5 hour session:
Week 1
Video: Is This Normal?
● Grief is the natural response to significant love.
● Grief is difficult because it affects all aspects of your life.
● Processing your grief takes time, but you will be okay.
▪︎ How has your grief affected the different aspects of life?
▪︎ What do you miss most about your loved one?
▪︎ Which false notion about grief do you struggle with most?
▪︎ Which of the 6 signs of healing would give you the most relief?
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IN GOD WE TRUST
Thanks for supporting independent true journalism with a small tip. Dodie & Jack
Dodie & Jack Dennis are regular customers of Green Pasture. Highly recommended.
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Clever Journeys 
This is a valuable ministry to support the grieving. God bless you for your involvement.
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Beautiful. May you be greatly blessed for this important ministry.
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Jack and Dodie, I wish Momo and me would have known about this outreach. She lost her only son at 27 in a car accident in Dallas 2009. I lost my oldest son to a heart attack from drugs in 2012. We both were washed in grief for years and still are. We needed counseling and sharing. Sure, our friends came around for a while but then vanished. It’s a natural response, no one wants to be around a bummer. Over the years, I have tried to write about losing a child, but freeze up, and can’t seem to put a word down. I’m still trying.
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I am so very sorry. This is so tragic. We do this 2x a year and many in our groups are grieving from the loss of loved ones from many years ago (even decades) & never had the good a program like this did for them.
We offer it free, but some Griefshare meetings charge like $20 for a workbook that helps considerably.
A click at http://www.griefshare.org will tell you, according to zip code where they are having them.
Of course, anyone new to it, is nervous. By about the 4th session we see awesome differences. The 20 to 30 minute videos are very worthwhile & then there is conversation. By the end of the sessions, there is remarkable difference.
There are 4 groups beginning or had one session already in Granbury. Don’t worry about them trying to convert you or get you to come to church. That is not what this is about. It is how to deal with grief. Very, very helpful. EVERYONE we have met gave glowing reviews & we happily see them often out & about in our small community. It is never too late, but it will be helpful. I hate to know you both are grieving (and you always will) but this really helps.
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Thank you. We will try this.
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Thanks, Jack and Dodie. We will try and hook up with this outreach. I appreciate your kind wordsl
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Such great points made in this. If you know pain, and can really listen, stay present, and a hurting person realizes that someone, you, actually gives a rip, it’s the most healing thing there is. We have something like this organically growing in my church. a real God thing, taking shape. It’s so needed. I am so sorry Phil and Momo have had to feel like this so long. Here’s a God thing right on this page: you wrote about this!
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Agree. I used to be on various boards of charity organizations. Today, anything I do along those lines is usually through our church & for our community. I can’t donate or spend $ that I used to, but can give my time listening, being present,etc. Last time we went grocery shopping (30 minutes away in Kerrville, TX) we stopped off at a local nursing home to spend an hour with a former church member. Thank you.
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That visit alone is pure gold.
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