For a person who has lost a life partner, a husband or a wife, mealtime is often the most challenging time of their day. It is sometimes difficult to muster the desire or skill necessary for meal preparation. Sometimes it is just hard to deal with the expanse of the table when no one else is sharing the space. So, it becomes too much trouble to cook for one or to eat alone.


For the friend who wants to be supportive, there are also challenges. Sometimes we worry that we are not up to challenge. We worry about the conversation … will we know the right thing to say? On the other hand, one may have good intentions but inviting someone over for dinner can make you feel you need to cook something special, or clean the house, or bring in another guest to round out the numbers. So inviting your grieving friend to dinner gets put off.


If you want to support a grieving friend, consider doing something different.


1.   The morning coffee. Maybe it is a regular weekly occurrence combined with some form of exercise. A short walk, yoga, or water aerobics followed by coffee and a chat. Or, organize a drop-in group at your local coffee shop for folks who would appreciate a morning boost with a small group of friendly faces.


2.   Lunch … lunch is such an underappreciated meal out. Less costly than dinner; it’s a great option. The conversation is just as exhilarating, and it provides a nice break in the day. It is something to look forward to and if you have a big lunch, dinner can just be cheese and crackers. It can also be easier to pull together a small group of two or three for lunch than it is for dinner.


3.   A seal-a-meal dinner prep gathering … pull together a few friends who often eat alone or who would just enjoy an occasional night off of dinner prep. Prepare a few different meals in a large enough quantity to divide among the group. Consider cooking some things that are not likely to be prepared for one. Meatloaf, stew, or scalloped potatoes might be too much to make for one person but might be a welcome comfort food. Seal the meals in individual packages for freezing. Everyone takes home a few ready-made dinners and everyone enjoys the company of friends while making the meals.


4.   Lower your standards. Invite your grieving friend to share your regular weeknight supper. Nothing special - just what you would be serving anyway. Soup and a sandwich, a little pasta, or just a burger will be just fine. It’s your company that will appreciated. The good dishes or the special dessert is not important at all. Just your face across the table and an opportunity to talk about the mundane happenings of the day will do the trick.




www.smithfamilycares.com

Smith Family Funeral Homes provides quality funeral, memorial and cremation services to the families of Central Arkansas. Their six locations can be found in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Westbrook, Sherwood, Benton and Arkadelphia. With a privately-owned crematory operated by licensed professionals, Smith Family Funeral Homes can guarantee their high standard of care throughout the cremation process. To learn more, visit smithfamilycares.com.

What Happens at a Visitation?

By Smith Family • February 5, 2025
Human beings are social. We crave the company of others. During times of stress our friends comfort us, they listen to us, and share our troubles. When someone we love dies, we need our people.

What’s the Benefit of Paying for My Funeral in Advance?

By Smith Family • February 5, 2025
Planning for your end-of-life ceremony, your funeral, has many benefits. Some of them are practical, some are emotional, and some are financial. For some, planning in advance actually helps them live a better, more purpose-driven life.

Does Everyone Go Through the Five Stages of Grief?

By Smith Family • January 6, 2025
What does grief look like? It’s a question that’s been asked for centuries, and it’s difficult to answer because grief looks different to different people. But we’ve often been told that the grieving process follows a certain path, which is commonly called the five stages of grief. Does everyone go through the five stages? And if they don’t, how do they know if they’re grieving properly?

Attention to Detail Matters in a Funeral Director

By Smith Family • January 6, 2025
When you work with a funeral director, you’ll quickly find that they don’t just look at the big picture. They want to know details, from how you want your loved one to look to how you want some of their most precious items to be featured. Here are just a few of the details that a funeral director needs to know to ensure that they plan a funeral that’s perfect for your loved one.

Dealing with Grief on the Anniversary of a Loved One’s Passing

By Smith Family • January 6, 2025
There are many days throughout the year that remind us of our loved ones who are no longer with us physically. We find ourselves thinking of them on their birthdays, special holidays, or anniversaries. The anniversary of their passing can be an especially difficult day. Experiencing grief on this day is natural, but it can be overwhelming and painful. Here are a few tips to help you get through this challenging day.

Why Have a Funeral Service

By Smith Family • January 6, 2025
When a loved one passes, one of the first questions that often gets asked is when the funeral will be held. It’s assumed that a funeral will be the way in which family and friends say a final farewell, but do you have to have a funeral? While no law makes it so that you have to hold a funeral in a loved one’s honor, you may want to consider what you could miss out on when you decide against a funeral.

Feeling Like You’re Losing it (You’re Not Losing it, You’re Grieving)

By Smith Family • November 25, 2024
Everyone has at one time or another walked into their kitchen and just stood there wondering … what did I come into this room for? When you have experienced the death of someone close to you, the stress of the loss can make that “what am I doing” feeling such a frequent companion that you begin to wonder if you are “losing it.”

How Has Technology Changed Funeral Service

By Smith Family • November 25, 2024
Technology changes everything. Back in the 1980s, who would have imagined that we’d all have miniature computers sitting in our pockets all the time? And who could have known decades ago that we’d be able to simply type all our questions in a little bar and immediately get thousands of answers?

Details Matter in Funeral Service – You Only Get One Chance to Get it Right

By Smith Family • November 25, 2024
When we attend funerals, we don’t often think about what went into planning them. We only recognize how overwhelming the process can be until we’re the ones doing the planning. Let’s take a look at some of the crucial details you’ll need to address when preparing for a funeral.

The First Thanksgiving Alone

By Smith Family • August 23, 2024
Thanksgiving looks different to all different kinds of families, but it can also look different year after year. As family members grow up and have their own families, Thanksgiving celebrations may shrink. And as time goes on, the passing of family members can make those smaller Thanksgivings even more emotional. There may come a day when your Thanksgiving will be celebrated alone, which can trigger feelings of grief and loss. How can you navigate a Thanksgiving spent alone? There’s no wrong way, as long as you’re taking care of yourself.
More Posts
Share by: