When a friend of yours goes through a death in their family, it can be very hard to stand by the side and watch their grief. You do whatever you can around the Evanston, IL cremation to help them through the process. After a year goes by, they might start to feel and act like their old selves again, but the anniversary of a death can hit very hard. Here are a few ideas to help you get them through the anniversary and to the other side of the tough day.

Remember It

People remember birthdays and wedding anniversaries all the time, but the death of a loved one sometimes gets overlooked on the calendar. Mark it down so you remember what day the death occurred. You can then plan your day and the ways you help them around it. It’s not something they’re likely going to bring up or remind anyone of, so you’ll have to keep track yourself.

Offer Your Shoulder

When the day arrives, your friend may be in a more somber mood. They may need to cry or talk about their loved one and go through some of the motions of grief again. Offer yourself up to them to be there in any way they need you. Perhaps they need a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen. Some people may want to avoid the feelings of the day and plan another activity that you can join them for. Whatever they need, be there for them.

Plan A Memorial

Your friend likely had some type of memorial service for their loved one when they passed on and were cremated. If you want to do something special for them on the anniversary of their loved one’s death and you feel like they need the remembrance, plan a small memorial. It doesn’t have to be any more people than just you and them and can occur anywhere. You could take them to the park bench dedicated to their loved one and just share memories. Or you could visit the place their ashes were scattered to have a moment of silence. Having someone else remember their loved one by their side will help them get through the day with a bit more ease.

Death anniversaries aren’t joyous occasions, but they can give you the opportunity to be there for your friend. When cremation in Evanston, IL occurs, it may mark the end of a life, but it also marks the beginning of grief and that grief can go on for years to come. If you are in the midst of arranging a cremation, or you want to know what you can do to help a friend through the process—even a year later, contact the experts at Chicagoland Cremation Options by calling (773) 631-0018. We’re here to help your family and your friend with compassion in any way we can. We’re located at 9329 Byron St. Schiller Park, IL 60176 where you can speak with our representatives in person.