**When bereavement occurs in relationships, it can cause severe stress. How can we support our partner?**

Often we push grief aside. Death and mourning have little place in our society. And this, although they are an integral part of life. When it comes to bereavement in the relationship, we are then at a loss. One person is dealing with the grief stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. And the other person wonders, "How can I assist my loved one in grief?

## Grief in relationships: What can I do as a partner?

When the partner is grieving the loss of someone close, it is important to give him or her enough space to do so. Every person grieves differently and needs different amounts of time to do so. Give your significant other the space and time to do so. It can also help to realize that grief is taking up space that was otherwise meant for the relationship.

In other words, when your loved one is grieving, there may be less time for you. That will change again. Until then, be patient and offer support. Pressuring the other person to grieve faster will not only hurt him or her, but also your relationship.

The following tips can help you be there for your loved one:

- Familiarize yourself with the [five stages of grief]([https://app.hellodearest.io/de/article/die-fuenf-phasen-der-trauer-nach-einer-trennung](https://app.hellodearest.io/de/article/die-fuenf-phasen-der-trauer-nach-einer-trennung)). If you know what is coming up for the parnter, you can support him/her through it.
- Accept the difficult feelings that come to your counterpart. When feelings of emptiness, dejection, sadness, or anger arise, communicate to the other person that these feelings are right and important. Because if we don't act out such feelings, we can't let them go.
- Try to make concrete offers of help. Instead of "How can I help you?" try "Do you want me to cook/shop/clean up/massage you/give you space?"
- Try to maintain your own [boundaries]([https://dearest.page.link/?utm_campaign=banner&sd=Legen%20deine%20Grenzen%20fest%20und%20lerne%20dich%20an%20sie%20zu%20halten%20und%20sie%20durchzusetzen.&si=https%3A%2F%2Fdearest-content-storage.fra1.digitaloceanspaces.com%2Fjourney_4_877887693c.png&st=Grenzen%20setzen&apn=io.hellodearest.dearest&ibi=io.hellodearest.dearest&isi=1583462259&link=https%3A%2F%2Fapp.hellodearest.io%2Fjourney%2Fgrenzen-setzen](https://dearest.page.link/?utm_campaign=banner&sd=Legen%20deine%20Grenzen%20fest%20und%20lerne%20dich%20an%20sie%20zu%20halten%20und%20sie%20durchzusetzen.&si=https%3A%2F%2Fdearest-content-storage.fra1.digitaloceanspaces.com%2Fjourney_4_877887693c.png&st=Grenzen%20setzen&apn=io.hellodearest.dearest&ibi=io.hellodearest.dearest&isi=1583462259&link=https%3A%2F%2Fapp.hellodearest.io%2Fjourney%2Fgrenzen-setzen)) while not getting lost in your helper role.
- If things get difficult: Try to deal with the feelings that grief triggers in you. Only if you know and understand your own [feelings]([https://app.hellodearest.io/de/article/das-rad-der-emotionen-so-lernst-du-deine-gefuehle-kennen](https://app.hellodearest.io/de/article/das-rad-der-emotionen-so-lernst-du-deine-gefuehle-kennen)) can you be there for your partner.
- Do not relativize your partner's grief. Sentences like "It's not that bad" or "Soon everything will be fine again" don't help.

## Looking to the future

When the mourning phases are over and your partner comes back from mourning, it may be that views have changed. The view of your own life and also of your own relationship may be different than before. If you have been through this difficult period together, chances are that your relationship has become stronger.

*It may well be that you feel you cannot cope with the grief alone. That's perfectly fine the way it is. If you'd like, feel free to book an appointment with one of our coaches. We are here for you!*

Bereavement in relationships puts a strain on both partners. What can we do to get through the difficult times as well as possible?

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"I'm here for you!" - Grief in relationships