A co-worker and friend of mine lost her son recently. He committed suicide not long before his 18th birthday. I visited the family today and just as expected, it was very emotional. I'm not sure about attending the viewing, but I believe I will attend the funeral. Never been in this situation before and not sure what I can do except relieve the amount of work she will have before she gets back.
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A co-worker's woes
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WOW! That is SOOO sad. Especially suicide. I just recently lost one of my BEST friends. I am kinda dealing with all that what do you do thing too. He was married and his wife depended on him alot...I just am there for her when she needs something, sometimes its just a friend other times its advice, and other times its just kinda like nothin', just knowing someone is there I guess.
People usually seek out what they need during these times, its up to us to be flexable to what they need when they ask.
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One thing you can do, websex, is make sure you don't avoid her. A lot of people do - they don't know what to say or how to act, so they try to make sure they don't have to say or do anything by keeping away. It's very obvious, and makes things worse. Your co-worker and friend will want people to talk to her, the way they did before.
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Just let her know that you'll ALWAYS be there for her. Sure a lot of people will be visiting her and checking on her now, and for the next few weeks. The most difficult time after losing someone is after the condolence calls stop coming. Like a few months down the line, when everybody elses lives have returned to normal, keep calling, keep talking to her.
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I will be helping out at the church before and after the funeral on Saturday. Today, my co-workers and I concentrated on making a powerpoint and some posterboards with pictures of her son which will be used at his viewing tomorrow. Everything seems so little, but I guess every effort isn't worthless. Thanks for the advice everyone. Simplicity is easily overlooked in times like these. Any ideas on how to make her return to work more welcome when the time comes?