Bereavement sanctuaries are places in which those in grief may feel safe and comfortable enough to express - or not express - the pain of their loss, free of others' expectations. A bereavement sanctuary can be a permanent place, in which people may stay or live and be able to grieve on their own terms; or it may be established temporarily, during emergencies or at any time when someone is experiencing horrible feelings of grief.
When someone in your proximity - or on the phone or online - expresses strong feelings of grief, it is possible to use the surroundings (or virtual environment you create) to help her be more at ease. Follow intuition and cues.
In a physical setting, one who is obviously suffering may or may not care to be approached, but at least you can give him a smile and maybe a kind word. If he seems OK with your presence, make yourself available to listen. If he accepts your offer, say “Great” or “Thanks” and give your name. Look around. Try to find the closest area of least stress from the presence of people, animals, and vehicles, where the lights may be dimmer and noise softer.
In a grocery store or restaurant, for example, this might be the area by the restrooms. On a bus, train, or plane, it could be an area where there are rows of empty seats. In a church or school you might go into the hall, or find a lobby, and in a park you could sit on a bench or under a tree. Use the natural features around you to find areas of relative comfort.
Ask the person to follow. If she agrees, walk to the chosen area and ask how you may help. Ask if you may call a family member or a friend. If the person seems in trouble, you might offer to call for help (you should have police, suicide hotline, and shelter numbers programmed into your cell phone).
If the person is overcome with grief and unable to move, then use the spot where he is standing or sitting as best you can. In a grocery checkout line, or a crowded movie theater, this may be problematic, especially if the person is sobbing or shouting or screaming. The people around you may express annoyance, but you can explain that the two of you will move as soon as possible.
When grief erupts on the phone or online, the physical setting is not so important, but you can suggest that the suffering person move to a room or area inside or outside that feels more comfortable. You might wish to seek greater comfort for yourself; your ability to feel safe and calm directly affects the mood you project.
Whether you are creating sanctuary in person, on the phone, or online, relax as much as possible by taking deep breaths, and focusing on the person in grief; this will help everyone relax.
In a physical setting, offer a beverage if you can, but don't pressure the person to accept it.
Say, “Please tell me what's going on. I am here to help.” The person may or may not respond. If she does, be present: attentive but not forceful; interested, yet quiet unless asked or guided to provide helpful input; warm yet not stifling. Try to listen as carefully as possible. Do not interrupt with stories about yourself.
Allow him to express anger, hurt, confusion, unreality, and despair, and let him know by your calm presence, or with words, that it is okay. Be prepared for the person in grief to seem completely disconnected from the reality you are in. Do your best to protect him from hurting himself or others. If necessary, call 911 for help. Working well with whatever environment you may find yourself in can make an enormous difference in this regard.
In a grocery store or restaurant, for example, this might be the area by the restrooms. On a bus, train, or plane, it could be an area where there are rows of empty seats. In a church or school you might go into the hall, or find a lobby, and in a park you could sit on a bench or under a tree. Use the natural features around you to find areas of relative comfort.
Ask the person to follow. If she agrees, walk to the chosen area and ask how you may help. Ask if you may call a family member or a friend. If the person seems in trouble, you might offer to call for help (you should have police, suicide hotline, and shelter numbers programmed into your cell phone).
If the person is overcome with grief and unable to move, then use the spot where he is standing or sitting as best you can. In a grocery checkout line, or a crowded movie theater, this may be problematic, especially if the person is sobbing or shouting or screaming. The people around you may express annoyance, but you can explain that the two of you will move as soon as possible.
When grief erupts on the phone or online, the physical setting is not so important, but you can suggest that the suffering person move to a room or area inside or outside that feels more comfortable. You might wish to seek greater comfort for yourself; your ability to feel safe and calm directly affects the mood you project.
Whether you are creating sanctuary in person, on the phone, or online, relax as much as possible by taking deep breaths, and focusing on the person in grief; this will help everyone relax.
In a physical setting, offer a beverage if you can, but don't pressure the person to accept it.
Say, “Please tell me what's going on. I am here to help.” The person may or may not respond. If she does, be present: attentive but not forceful; interested, yet quiet unless asked or guided to provide helpful input; warm yet not stifling. Try to listen as carefully as possible. Do not interrupt with stories about yourself.
Allow him to express anger, hurt, confusion, unreality, and despair, and let him know by your calm presence, or with words, that it is okay. Be prepared for the person in grief to seem completely disconnected from the reality you are in. Do your best to protect him from hurting himself or others. If necessary, call 911 for help. Working well with whatever environment you may find yourself in can make an enormous difference in this regard.
Here's how my friend who inspired this
article created temporary sanctuary in a restaurant:
"It was busy and filled with
people. Our server took the drink order and it was clear he was
preoccupied. 15 minutes passed and we didn't see him or the drinks.
Finally he returned, dazed, no drinks in hand. My husband asked him
if we could get our drinks. The server said, 'I didn't think it had
been that long,' and my husband assured him that while it had been a
long while, it was no big deal. When the server returned, he
apologized and explained that he wasn't himself, that his best friend
had been killed in an auto accident. We asked to hear his story and
to offer some support. We told him that everything had to seem
meaningless here compared to his loss. He was so relieved to know we
understood, as it appeared that the other customers and servers (who
didn't know of his loss) just continued to go about their business
and to even be demanding of him, only deepening his sorrow. Boy did
this put things in perspective! It made me wish I could reach out and
find as many people like him so that I could help in any way
possible."
Temporary sanctuaries can be of varying
duration, and the relationships can be reestablished by checking on
the grieving persons from time to time, inviting them for coffee,
lunch, a trip to the zoo, whatever. It can mean a great deal to
someone in grief when others offer such unconditional support.
One can become ever more able to offer
Sanctuary Anywhere by cultivating an attitude of preparedness, both
mental and physical, by keeping small first-aid kits on hand, by
providing zones of safety such as your car or even an umbrella, and
becoming familiar nearby parks or quiet shelters.
Most important is the ability to improvise, so that wherever you are, your presence is a safe place in which people may express grief. When you create sanctuary, even with just a kind word or glance, you are a friend along the road.
Most important is the ability to improvise, so that wherever you are, your presence is a safe place in which people may express grief. When you create sanctuary, even with just a kind word or glance, you are a friend along the road.
May we all be friends along the road.
If you would like to learn more about
creating Sanctuary Anywhere for those in grief, please visit the
Friends Along the Road website.
