What to say when someone dies...

I've recently met a friend whom I hadn't seen for a long time, and I was difficult for me to comfort her because I didn't know what to say... She's recently lost someone really important in her life, and maybe nor having said the right thing made her feel I didn't care, which is not true!

I did care, and I still do - if it hurts my friends it hurts me too -, but I just froze, wishing my feeling itself would be enough to somehow make her be sure I'd always be there for her.

Well, trying to find out what I should have done / said, I came across something that might interest you: What to Say When Someone Dies

It wasn't until I talked to this friend of mine that I had the chance to stop to think about this matter... I believe I'd always avoided this kind of thinking, because I don't really know how to deal with death. I've never lost someone close to me, so I don't know what people expect from others at this difficult time...

Anyway, now that it has already happened to me, don't let the same happen to you! Do this activity and if, God forbid, you see yourself in my shoes, you won't feel as embarrassed as I felt, and you will, for sure, know how to comfort you fried.

Before reading the text, don't be afraid of only listening to it and trying to understand it without picking, OK?


I suggest checking out the meaning / pronunciation of these words before starting listening:

Acknowledged
Acquaintances
Awkward
Brief
Bring up a subject, to
Cheapen, to
Clichés
Condolences
Deceased
Disingenuous
Disquieting
Disservice
Errands
Go into details, to
Harsh
Heartfelt
Inclined
Loss
Moved
Pass away, to
Pat
Remembrance
Start over, to
Sympathy
Thoughtful
Trait
Unique


Answer the following questions:

01.  What happened to the person who wrote Trent?
02.  How did her friends react?
03.  How did she feel?
04.  What's the most important thing to know according to Trent?
05.  Can your condolences make the difference?
06.  Does Trent believe it's difficult to offer condolences?
07.  Do people try to avoit it?
08.  Why does Trent believe it's difficult for people to talk about losing a person?
09.  Why is not mentioning it even worse?
10.  How should we talk about the person who's passed away?
11.  Who was the role model for Trent?
12.  What may happen if we pretend nothing happenend?
13.  Should we avoid asking questions about the deceased?
14.  How can talking about the deceased may make the pesson who lost that one feel?
15.  What should we do in case we can't / are not ready to talk to the grieving person face-to-face?



Email me your answers and I'll be glat to send you the answer key!

XOXOXOXO