Keep Showing Up: Why Grief Support Matters Most After the Headlines Fade
Jan 26, 2025
The texts flood in when disaster first strikes. When the evacuation orders are fresh. When the hurricane has just passed. When the diagnosis is new. When the funeral is happening.
But what about three months later? Six months? A year?
When Does Grief Support Matter Most? In The Long-Term.
The reality hits hardest when the news crews have packed up their cameras, when the GoFundMe has stopped getting shares, when everyone else has seemingly moved on with their lives. That's when grief support becomes not just important, but crucial – and ironically, when it often becomes the most scarce.
Grief doesn't follow a timeline. That empty chair at the dinner table doesn't hurt less because it's been 180 days. That ache when you drive past your old house doesn't fade just because the divorce papers are signed. That pit in your stomach during natural disasters doesn't shrink just because you've rebuilt.
Understanding the Long-term Impact of Loss
Those first few weeks after a loss, you're in survival mode. Running on adrenaline. Managing logistics. Fielding calls. Making arrangements. It's often months later, when the dust settles, that grief really sinks its teeth in. Right when everyone else has "moved on."
That's why long-term grief support matters so much. Because grief isn't a sprint – it's a marathon no one signed up for.
Practical Ways to Provide Ongoing Support
Offering meaningful, lasting support doesn't require grand gestures. Here's what makes a real difference:
-
Set calendar reminders to check in every few weeks
-
Remember and acknowledge significant dates: birthdays, anniversaries, holidays
-
Send "Thinking of you" texts without expecting immediate responses
-
Make specific offers: "Can I bring dinner next Thursday?" rather than "Let me know if you need anything"
-
Mention their loved one's name and share memories
-
Understand that grief evolves – month six looks different than day six
-
Never assume they're "over it" just because they're functioning
Why It's Never Too Late to Start Supporting Someone
Maybe you missed that first wave of support. Maybe you didn't know what to say initially, so you said nothing. Maybe you're worried it's "too late" to reach out.
It's never too late to show up for someone who's grieving. In fact, your support might mean even more now, when everyone else has gone quiet.
Building Lasting Support Systems
Grief doesn't end. It changes. It shifts. It becomes part of who we are. Having people who understand that, who keep showing up long after the casseroles stop coming and the sympathy cards stop arriving – that's invaluable.
So if you know someone who's grieving (and trust us, you do) – whether it's:
-
The loss of a loved one
-
The aftermath of divorce
-
The impact of a natural disaster
-
The challenges of chronic illness
-
Any other type of significant loss
Remember this: Your support matters most not just in those first raw days, but in the quiet months that follow.
Offering Sustainable Support
Keep showing up. Keep reaching out. Keep making space for their grief. Even when – especially when – everyone else has stopped checking in.
Because sometimes the most powerful thing we can do for someone who's grieving is simply remind them: I'm still here. I haven't forgotten. Your grief still matters.
Resources for Long-term Grief Support
If you're the one grieving, know this: You deserve support that lasts longer than a news cycle. You deserve people who keep showing up, month after month. Your grief doesn't have an expiration date – and neither should the support you receive.
That's why we're here at Grieve Leave. Because grief support isn't just about those first few days– it's about all the weeks, months, and years that follow. It's about creating a community that understands grief is a journey, not a destination.
Ready to join a community that understands long-term grief? Connect with Grieve Leave:
-
Join our newsletter
-
Follow us on Instagram
-
Attend our virtual Meet & Grieve sessions
Remember: It's never too late to show up for someone who's grieving. Start today.
Join the Grieve Leave movement
Share your info to join our Grieve Leave community. You don’t want to miss anything!