I was honored to be a guest on the Graced Health Podcast, hosted by my longtime friend Amy Connell. Amy and I met years ago through the writing and podcasting world, and she has been such a steady support in our family’s grief journey since losing our daughter, Annie, in 2023.
When a friend loses a loved one, so many of us freeze — unsure of what to say, afraid of making things worse, or tempted to stay silent altogether. But presence matters more than perfect words.
In this episode, Amy and I talk honestly about:
- The reality of unexpected loss
- How grief can impact faith (and why bringing anger to God is still worship)
- The “wall of grief” and why people approach it so differently
- Phrases that don’t help — and what to say instead
- How to support forgotten grievers, like siblings
- Simple, meaningful ways to show up for someone hurting
I also shared why I created my Beyond “I Don’t Know What to Say” grief communication cards — and how they can help break the silence when comfort feels complicated.
If you’ve ever wondered what to do or say for a grieving friend, I hope this conversation encourages and equips you.
I’d love to hear from you: What has helped you most when you didn’t know what to say to someone grieving — or when others showed up for you in loss? Your insights could help someone else love their grieving friend well.
I’d also love to stay connected with you.
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