When you were bereaved, what did your friends do/say that actually helped?

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I've read many posts on here about the thoughtless and unhelpful things friends (and strangers) have said and done to someone who has suffered a bereavement - no doubt many of them were trying to be helpful though.

I wondered if those who have lost someone close could share any of the things their friends did which actually were appreciated?

A friend of mine is about to lose a close family member and I would really like to be able to be kind and supportive.

Friends coming to the funeral to support me even though they didn’t know her.

Friends coming to the funeral to support me even though they didn’t know her

I’m glad you said that Martha - I usually try to go to the funeral if my friends have suffered the loss of a close relative, even if I’ve never met the person who’s died. But I mentioned it on here once on a thread about funerals, and some people said it’s intrusive and the funeral should just be for those who knew the deceased. I can see both sides, but made me worry I’d done the wrong thing.

Thanks, I really appreciate all these responses.

After my husband died suddenly I was inundated with flowers - really lovely but it was another stress trying to find a place to put them or a vase. I appreciated a bunch a friend bought me a month after when they had all gone and I felt so alone x