Things not to say to a widow

18/10/2021

There are things best never said to a widow…

They are in a better place. No, the better place is here with me!
What did they die of? If I want to tell you I will. But that's private.
Grief is the price you pay for love. Only in daytime movies about bad things happening to good people and them overcoming adversity.
You are so brave! No, I'm not. I'm doing what I have to in order to keep going. And are you implying I'm not grieving enough?
You are so strong. See above.
I don't know what I would do if it happened to me. I pray you never have to find out
Everything happens for a reason. No, it doesn't.
At least you had X years together. But I wanted (X+more) years.
At least you got to have someone - not everyone does. So, I'm supposed to be grateful they died?
At least you had until death do you part, and didn't have to see them move in with someone else. Why on earth do you think they were going to move on?
Perhaps it's better that you didn't have children. How is that a comfort? How do you know I had the choice? I might have been trying. I might have been infertile. I might just have not wanted them. Does that make my grief less?
At least you don't have children - you can have so many holidays now. I'm sorry? Did I hear you right?
God must have wanted them with him/God needed them. But I wanted/needed them here with me!
God only let this happen because he knew you were strong enough to deal with it. Umm. No. Not everyone believes in the same God as you, and even if they do, that doesn't sound like a very nice version of God. And if I'd known, I would just have been a bit weaker...
It's all part of God's plan. See above.
I know exactly how you feel. My mum/dog/gerbil died, or I got divorced. Not the same. I know those things hurt. I know you are trying to help. But they are NOT the same and you don't know how I feel unless you've been here.
Time heals. Nope. Time changes things but it doesn't heal.
You don't have any luck, do you. Are you suggesting that it's my fault?
You are young. You'll find someone new. So, replacing my partner is like replacing a worn-out coat?
I hope you won't be left on the shelf now. So... I'm a jar of coffee?
This will make you a better person. Better than what?
You'll always have your memories. I know, but I'd rather have my person
You can get a new partner but I can't get a new child/sibling/cousin. Well, yes. I know. It's pants for all of us. We all lost them. But also see above.
It's what they would have wanted. And you know that how?
It could be worse. I loved them. They died. That took away my past, my present and my future. How could it possibly be worse?
I miss them so much. If you are saying this to share my grief, then that does help me to know how much they were loved. But if you are saying this because you want me to comfort you, then please don't.
Shouldn't you be getting over it by now? Oh – so there's a timetable? This is my grief, and it runs on my time. And even if I do 'get over it', I will always miss them.
I think you just need to pull yourself together. See above.
It’s a week/month since they died; do you feel any better? See above.
So - what's next for you? See above.
I expected that you would have done most of your grieving when they were diagnosed. See above.
Shouldn't you be moving on? See above. And if I do, I will move forward, not move on. It's different. I'm not moving on and leaving my memories of them behind, I'm moving forward with them in my head and my heart.
Cheer up, you're back on the market now! What?
There's a silver lining to every cloud. Really? I thought there was just rain.
Life is about chapters, and this one has closed. But it wasn't supposed to.
They'd want you to be happy. I know they would. But actually I think what they would really want is to be here.
You need to get rid of all of their stuff. I might. Or I might not. I might do it now, soon, later or never. I need to do this in my time.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. What doesn't kill me hurts me, traumatises me, and means that I am barely surviving. It leaves me scared, scarred, bitter, resentful, overly cautious, lonely, angry, misanthropic and prone to violent fantasies, with an unhealthy knowledge of some very dark things and a sense of humour blacker than a bin liner in a coal cellar.
It was their time to die. Before they'd started living their best life/raising a family/having a career/writing a novel/breeding wombats with the person they loved the most? Really?
You have such a lovely life. I'm trying to make the best of what it is now, but it was lovely (or lovelier) before.
Have you throught about getting a dog? No, not really. And even if I was, do you think a dog would replace them?
I bet you miss them. Well, yes...
Are you getting counselling? I might be or might not be, and I might not want to talk about it - and it depends whether you are being supportive in suggesting it, or just telling me that you don't want to listen, and you'd rather I spoke to a professional.
God only takes the good ones. Really? Why on earth would he do that? And wouldn't that mean the world is now full of really ancient horrid people?
You are so lucky, being able to please yourself all the time. I'd rather be with my partner actually.
You are so lucky not having to pay a mortgage any more. See above.
At least you can get single person council tax now. See above. And seriously?
You've got an amazing new car - how lucky you are. See above. Also - I loved my old car, but I just can't maintain it without them, so I've had to buy a new one.
You must be relieved that you've got their life insurance. Not everyone has life insurance. If they have, it might not cover everything. I might not want to talk about it. And don't you think I'd rather have them?
At least you've got someone new now. Being with someone new, as lovely as they are, as happy as they make me, has nothing to do with how much I miss my dead partner. 
Are you keeping up with your personal hygiene? Erm... I'm just going to leave this one here...
[When there is an age gap between the couple] You must have been prepared; you knew they would die first. Not really, no. We are never prepared for bereavement. When we lose someone it's too soon, however old they are.

Don't let this put you off talking to a widow – hearing the wrong thing is better than hearing nothing at all. Tell them you care, that you are there for them (and make sure that you are - see What can I do to help?), and listen to them. Listening is often the most important part.

Worried you'll say the wrong thing? Read this awesome piece called How not to say the wrong thing.

47 Comments

Alice

19/10/2021 07:50:50

As a widow of 3.5 years, couldn’t agree more with all the above. Particularly the I know how you feel, my mum, dad, cat died. So not the same. Thanks for starting a blog, I wish I had, I wrote a diary, like a letter to husband instead which did help me. Anyway, onward and upward fellow merry Widow. Xx

Rosalie Johnson

20/12/2023 05:58:03

Hello, firstly you never get over the death of a spouse or child you just learn how to live with it.

Thank God I still have my spouse, but my son died a few years ago. I realize that people are uncomfortable talking to you but for heaven’s sake use some discretion. I remember my sister in law saying shortly after my son’s and my sister’s death that death comes in threes. I wanted to say to her are you next, but I held my tongue. Someone else said after the funeral for my son at least you had time with him before he died. Well yes, I spent time with him during his suffering.
I didn’t respond to the many comments. I do believe most people have good intentions. God bless.

Jim

19/2/2024 12:23:04

Thanks for this article. My question: what do I say to a family member who is now a widow? This is a very recent loss.

Suzanne

19/2/2024 13:12:23

You tell them how much you care. You tell them that losing someone sucks. You tell them that you will be there for them. You listen. You talk about the person that they have lost, and you keep doing this for the next days, weeks, months, years.

Kathy

19/2/2024 15:41:36

It may sound strange, but I found it comforting when people told me they didn’t know what to say. I really appreciate their honesty.

JANE

1/5/2024 23:01:30

Above all, don't you dare tell them ANYTHING you do not TOTALLY intend to do or that you FULLY mean. Like " I care about you." " Your friendship is important me", "Don't ever pay anyone to do something I can do", "If you need anything, call me" , "I'm here for you. " Because if you do you can drive some widows to despair worse than their grief and even possible thoughts of suicide. I KNOW, because it has happened to me. And believe me, you can take this to the bank: You will be considered a traitor and a coward, and you will never be trusted again!! This is serious business. These women are smart, capable woman with raw emotions. They don't need or want pity, but they desperately need genuine respect and support. So, be sure you know what you are doing, or just keep your mouth shut!

Craig

26/11/2024 16:57:22

I have to say yes it's better when they say I have no words and just hug. To me it's their grief too and they understand what we meant to each other.

My wife and everyone in our family don't die, they are alive in our hearts. People on die when we stop saying their name.

I was fortunate to have found the letter she left my son and I.

It's a shame she's not seeing that new glamson. I'm thankful I had 30 years and yeah life's had right now but I'll make it some how some way.

She said I was strong and she would die shortly after if I left first. Kinda selfish but I was her world and I understand. I don't resent her for that. She was the most beautiful woman on this earth and classic.

I actually prayed if she ever got sick she'd go fast with the least amount of pain. 6 weeks after diagnosis of stage 4 cancer, we never knew she had...

Life isn't fair but this is part of it...

Heather

19/10/2021 19:38:57

So accurate. If anyone tells me, now I'm a few years into widowhood and more robust about it, how lucky I am they are given short shrift and told a few truths.
I can't go to the supermarket and buy another one. Even if you view your husband as a disposable and replaceable item doesn't mean I viewed mine that way.
The morbid, grief vultures and parasites, who insist on graphic details of his death, physically and mentally repulse me. There is something *seriously* wrong with them!

Mary

26/10/2022 00:50:42

Also: "You must feel relief." Someone actually said this to me after my husband's memorial service a few weeks after he had died. He had a debilitating condition that had persisted several months, but I certainly didn't feel relief he had died, I just missed him and felt sad. I realized the speaker must have very little empathy at all, she was just playing a part.

Leslie

8/3/2024 04:22:48

I’m very good friend said that to me. I was quite taking it back, very surprised she would say something like that. Yes, my husband had been ill for a while. Yes, it was difficult for me. I would rather have him here and have that difficulty than not have him here at all.

Barbara Rhodes

19/4/2024 11:23:19

My husband had been a 'creaking gate' for many years, and had suffered many illnesses that he was not expected to survive, but he did. In the end, he succumbed to terminal cancer and my initial reaction was overwhelming relief that he was no longer suffering. But also unfathomable sadness that he was gone.

Leslie

8/7/2024 12:48:11

A very dear friend said this to me. I know it wasn’t said without empathy, however, I was very surprised that it was said at all. I actually couldn’t believe it. I would welcome the stress that his condition brought us to have him back by my side.

Linda Johnson link

8/4/2023 11:23:07

I. Completely agree .. I'm sick and tired of my friends .. especially one in particular .. always saying what her and her husband are doing bla blah blah ... Oh you poor thing .. let me know if you need Anything .?? Oh please .. sickening
I would rather be with my dogs .

Linda Smith

21/11/2023 21:22:06

I so agree with all the comments on here, people do say the most bizarre things when your husband ( or wife) dies- my sister asked, on the day of my husband’s funeral, if I would be moving now! And my next door neighbour, 6 weeks after his death, asked if I was ‘over it yet’- it is now 13 years since he died, very suddenly, You don’t ‘get over it’, you just get used to it, and I miss him every day.Certain people have told me I’m ‘doing well’- no, I am doing what I have to do to keep going. As for what I call smug couples banging on about their wonderful holidays…..

Amanda

21/2/2024 21:43:10

My Husband drowned whilst ok holiday in a foreign country with me in October 23. Whilst I was still in there waiting to bring his body home his best friends wife was posting pictures on face book of her and her husband setting off and enjoying their holiday. I didn’t begrudge them the holiday but did she really have to post daily photos when she knew I would see them. Some people have no consideration of other people’s feelings.

S. Wilder

9/5/2024 19:51:34

I SO agree with these statements. My wife died suddenly, in our home August last year. Totally unexpected, I was totally shocked and traumatized, and still am although to a slightly lesser degree. What I agree along with others that have commented, are the older couples, married 40-50 yrs going on about the things they can go and see and do. I would give up EVERYTHING that my wife and I were able to acquire after I retired from the military and go back to to our humble beginnings.... piece of cars, debts, living on a budget...... and have her......all this stuff, upgrades to the house, better vehicles means NOTHING without her along with those things. It's like Job in the Bible....as long as his "friends" sat there silent with him and said nothing, he was ok. It wasn't until they opened their mouths about what they thought brought on his calamities, that he concluded - "I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all." Job 16:2

Amber menefee

20/12/2024 23:44:25

I'm right there with you on the happy holidays crap. My husband and my MO both died in December of 2008 , I'm so not over it and I've hated Xmas ever since.. bahumbug !!!

Jill

17/2/2025 01:32:35

I totally get and feel what your saying. I'm told I'm strong, I'll move on, and that they see I'm better now. As if they know my heart and the deep sadness there. That I can find someone else. I like what you said that your doing what you have to do to keep going. I lost my husband 1.5 years ago. I miss him desperately every moment of every single day. Yes and the couples who talk about what they are planning or doing. I'm so over it. My brother in laws post with my sis was till death so us part hits hard. People say the most insensitive things.

Amber menefe

20/12/2024 23:40:30

My dogs are my life now . I miss my husband so much, and my mother too. They both passed the same week. It's been 15 years since they passed and I miss them both everyday. I've never had anyone reach out to me to see if I am OK and I'm just alone in life . Does anyone know of any good ways to meet new friends that know what I'm going through. I live in kansas city Missouri. I hate spending every holiday alone.

Adrianna

28/6/2023 13:38:21

Its the nightmares now, 3 months have passed and I don't know where they have gone or where I have been in them....facing homelessness, genuinely no family, no friends (he was all of that and more to me), quiet private peaceful people.....now the nightmares I have, Oh God the nightmares...or as bad...waking up and for a split second thinking he is still alive.....

Jane

19/11/2023 22:12:47

Hey. My husband died too under suspicious circumstances and I have nightmares too. Sometimes I still go to grab my phone when I’m getting food to see if he wants something. 😔

Lisha

25/11/2023 19:00:33

I can very much so relate. My husband had been deceased for a month by this time. When I return to work, I remember walking toward the restroom and doubling back to my desk to get my phone. It was my lunch hour and he would always call. In a split second I realized thats a call I'll have to put in a memory. As far as people's foolish comments or conversations. I learned that people tend to say silly things because their uncomfortable with what your experiencing and they truly don't know what to say. but feel the need to say something. Forgive people before they speak and grant them Grace. Continue keeping The Father close and buried in your heart for he knows our needs and pain and knows just how to address them.

Terri

10/4/2024 01:53:36

You just described me , I'm so sorry you are going thru this alone , as I am too 😞

Sandra

21/7/2023 10:56:50

The worst is people asking for death details! iIt is no one’s business.And do not ever ask if you have a new man in your life

Adrianna

21/7/2023 11:15:22

I agree with you Sandra...I am literally disgusted by some of the things people say....so now I have my answers dependiing on the frame of mind I am in....thoughtless statement - " sure you are still young ( as in you'll find another man) Reply: 1. Oh I am so sorry, It must be horrible to never have experienced genuine love that just kept getting better and growing...Reply 2. My husbands body is dead. I am still in love with him and expect to be for as long as I live Reply 3. what a disgusting horrible thoughtless thing to say.... Shame on you, now F*** off Reply 4. I knew him for half my life, he was friend then after years became my best friend, then my love and husband for 14 years so get back to me when you have had that kind of relationship and they have died and you are yearning for your true love...untill then you know nothing.

Chris

27/7/2023 12:44:37

I guess I'm the only widower here.

The point that matches my experience the most is people just being there to interact with on normal daily topics. So much normalcy is lost and then there are constant reminders of my wife. Redirecting my attention away from the grief makes life without her more bearable.

I n my case I had a lot to deal with. My wife's death was unexpected and in 12 weeks she died in the hospital and with covid precautions I was not allowed to visit her. My nephew died on the same day as my wife, also unexpectedly in his sleep. My aunt passed about 3 weeks before they did. Finally my mother died 10 months later. It was a brutal year. So for me some sense of normalcy is an important base to handle/absorb all that has happened. It is also surprising which people in my family have been there for me in the hard times.

Adrianna

31/7/2023 08:50:52

Hi Cris, there is a website called widow.ie and there are men aswell as women on it from all over reaching out....just having a response can help you feel not so lost..then again every day is different isn't it....my husband died 4 months ago and I just am scraping through...I don't know how to keep going but these sites offer some sort of support....I am so VERY sorry about your wife and nephew and aunt and mother...how have you kept going.....

Rhonda

5/12/2023 04:08:59

Hi Chris. What a nightmare if it’s okay I will be keep everyone in prayer. I too lost several relatives in a very short time span. 8 to be exact my children lost all their great grandparents, two uncles, and lastly the biggest life changing impact my husband. This is has been a very painful journey and yes people
give the most awkward response mostly because they don’t know what to say. Grief is unavoidable and there is no time stamp. The hardest part is raising 3 children with out their father and the support I had from my grandparents who were very young. 69-70 some days I still find myself and total disbelief of everything. I truly wish that everyone in here sleeps a little more sound, and has some type of comfort especially during the holiday season. Prayers and best wishes to you all.

Matt

6/12/2023 17:02:55

You're not the only widower here. My fiance was killed in a car crash 3 weeks ago today on her way to work and it has been the biggest nightmare I could possibly imagine. 3 weeks ago this was unimaginable, we'd talk about death and what we'd do and so on but it was always let's change the subject.

I'm still attempting to get through the shock of it, and the pain is setting in hard. I thought this was supposed to get easier but there are reminders in every single aspect of my life. Everything is a first now. I can't sleep in our bed, I cant even go to the grocery store. I broke down into sobs in the damn popsicle aisle because she would always give me crap about the ice cream I wanted and would convince me to get the healthier option.

I'm sorry you lost your wife and im sorry to everyone on here who lost their love. Mine was a love that I searched my entire life for and we were couple goals to all of our friends. I just miss her so much.

Linda Smith

6/12/2023 17:29:56

Hi Matt,
I am so very very sorry to hear about your fiance, you must be going through all kinds of hell, and 3 weeks is no time at all. Nothing anybody says will make you feel better, and you have so much to deal with in the weeks after- it will take a long time to come to terms with such a devastating loss, and nobody would expect you to put on a brave face. From my own experience it takes at least a year, probably longer, somebody said to me it’s like great big waves crashing round you, but eventually the waves will calm down a bit and in the end the waves become a ripple. There will come a day when you can smile, even laugh, again, though at the moment you can’t imagine that will ever happen, but I promise you it will. Just be kind to yourself for the next few months, don’t try and be brave, meanwhile sending you hugs and hoping you will eventually recover.

Steve

7/7/2024 15:30:43

No sir,, I'm a widower along with you, my post is on here. My sincere condolences sir

Mirabel luv

17/10/2023 15:51:05

It not easy going through all these. I have known my husband for close 13 years and the thought of his demise and weighing me down.
I can replace him and I'm not ready to.
Anxiety and loneliness is taking the better part of me

Nina

27/10/2023 15:21:51

Here I am,a widow.A title I never wanted... I list my husband ,the love of my life ,three months ago. Even though he has been ill for a long time losing him affected me in an undescribable way . I still feel lost without him and can not find my way back to life,a new life. I have been surprised with comments from people close to me ...I did not understand why and how could they say certain things...I actually went on internet looking for suggestions about how to deal with "well meaning " people....I know people want to help and they do not know how .I feel like I distanced myself from most .I became close to a few that are widows themselves.There is only understanding,compassion and no judgement there. Most of the time I am by myself...I need time and space to process what happened and to find a new rhythm to my life . Thank you for your support through sharing .

Paul

17/11/2023 15:58:05

Thank you to the author for these insights into the challenges facing widows. One of the hurtful things that people do is to question how the partner died and worse to look for causes of his demise.. It does nothing to help the widow except revive awful memories that widows have to cope with. I time if she wants to talk about it, the best a friend can do is to be an attentive listener and show empathy. Also one has to accept that the lady's happiest memories will always be with her partner and we should accept that and not compete with him. Over time, and if circumstances allow, one can build new memories while accepting that we have a wonderful chance to help the lady heal and move forward, memories and all. Thank you

Adrianna

17/11/2023 17:09:18

I write this now as I suppose a lesson and an example of how things can turn on a penny for us and how when we give ourselves enough time and grieve and do the work and feel however we feel honestly as much as we are able to face at any given moment....that we can look back and see clearly what we have lived through, who we have lived for and the power of now living for ourselves....my relationship with my late partner/husband was anything but normal....We lived in isolation virtually for the last decade.....He came from a violent background...for a long time he lived a tortured life...he was a lot older than me....23 years.....I am 48 now...he had been sober 15/16 years before we got together, and we had been friends and became best friends....and he needed somebody who could do what I could do....he needed somebody who could love him in a non-abusive way, somebody who would not play games, somebody who was open and honest no matter how hard it was, somebody he could trust to know that acceptance and clear communication were the way forward for a different way...and so our relationship was very chaste....and that suited me with him....I had been betrayed sexually before by somebody I was in a longterm relationship with and I am the kind of person that is deeply loyal and loving, and gives freely and loves to see life grow and loves to learn from people..and so the pain of that betrayal lay me open for something on a different road......so I knew he would never betray me but I did not know the cost of such chastity...he was intent on massive spiritual development....he knew I could get him there....I knew his wisdom and years of deep hard work on himself could be shared with me and that I could learn and heal within me what I needed to heal....it was a different relationship and the truest love that I thought I could experience just maybe not a usual love....but there was love, just minimum physical interaction.....and that was actually really hard because I am like a creature of nature, I sense things deeply and to not be touched just had to be dealt with....and so it went.....and I had become so used to that way of being the thought of ever being touched by anybody became alien to me......Now it is Not! .....Now I no longer hide my pretty underwear in my drawers in my room....now I go buy them...and maybe someday, I will find kindness and passion from somebody who has no fear of a woman like me.....somebody who will understand I like being able to go where I want, when I want, somebody who does not fear my strength, somebody who knows I will respect them and them me, somebody who can see my vulnerabilities and cherish, value and guard me and I will do that for them too, somebody who will understand that I like dancing around the house and that I like walking up to the kitchen naked in the middle of the night if I need something....in fact I don't just like all these things...I love them...maybe someday somebody will love that about me...and value that and I will value them and their ways and love them as they are, no change required, no big events necessary, no big moves, just them the way they are, just love, joy, compassion, embraces........ passion, fiery and soft whatever they will be..... and so it goes.....and 5 months and 1 day after his death I heard his voice as if he was standing next to me speaking out loud in a foreign language...."Aham Asmi Parabrahman" and only that I like the beautiful images of Hindus Gods and some of their songs was I able to recognise the language....and so he achieved what he needed to and the years and help I gave made a difference to another soul and that time is over now! And My Soul has begun to Bloom, and people who come near me feel the light and Life and so do I, and 2 weeks ago the words Nil Desperandum started to pop into my head...and I have not studied Latin since I was 16 so I looked it up - Do not Despair! .....and so I won't ....instead I will allow Life to bring me to the right people, my instincts are sharpened and honed.....I will trust that whatever comes...pain or suffering or joy and freedom...it will be there and it will be mine and it will make me more...and maybe someday there will be love and courage from somebody who is Beautiful to me.........Do not Despair!

John

11/12/2023 00:36:10

Beautiful.

Matt

6/12/2023 17:14:44

I lost my young beautiful fiance 3 weeks ago today. Sje was killed by a distracted driver on her way to work. She was 33. We were engaged for 9 weeks exactly to the day. Our engagement was the best night of my life and one of the best nights of hers. She has 2 kids from a previous marriage who call me dad and now on top of losing my young beautiful wife, I'm dealing with the situation of trying to get rights to them.

All I keep hearing is you're so strong, she wouldn't want you to be so sad, you have to go on and be strong for those kids. This is unimaginably horrible. I want nothing more than to go sleep and just not wake up some days. Then shock of her sudden death hasn't even worn off yet and I'm already going back to work and trying to just figure out how to even function without her.

I searched my entire life for this woman and only got 2 and a half years. We were that couple, the pda couple, the couple that knew what the other was thinking, the couple that could finish each others sentences and now she's just gone. We were in the process of trying to get pregnant and now Ill never have that with her and it kills me every minute of every day.

We have a lot of friends and I have a great support system but I don't want to be alone, yet I don't want to be around people either. Believe it or not I'm not really the life of the party right now. I'm just lost.

Milena Zupan

11/12/2023 16:02:15

After my husband passed I have been struggling -dealing with well meaning people,and one day suddenly I sat down and wrote this :
I wish they would not call to ask me how I feel,I wish they would not tell me they understand,I wish they would not say it was better for him to go,I wish they would not tell me this is better for me,a relief,I wish they would not say that after every storm there is sun,I wish they would not tell me that now that I am alone I can do anything I want,I wish they would just sit quietly,listen to my pai.I wish I did not have to wish aal this,I wish only that you were still holding my hand......

Donna Reynolds link

21/1/2024 20:30:22

I read all of the entries on this site, and completely related to each. My husband, best friend, soul mate, and forever love died four months ago after a four year period of illness, treatments, unbearable pain that meds did not ease, and yet he fought every day to stay alive, beat the disease, and enjoy life. Some days that gives me the courage to fight like he and we fought together. Other days I feel guilty for not being able to carry his flag forward, some days angry this disease happened to him and to us, some days I feel like I can't bear on without him, most days, all of those feelings and others. It does help to read that so many are in this leaky boat, bailing water when we can. But everyday, I feel this sorrow and pain is more than I can carry. But my heart keeps beating. I keep living. I guess to pass the days until we are reunited on the other side. The sooner the better is how I truly feel. It's unfathomable that will ever change. Despite feeling that way, reading that over time one adjusts is hopeful. I appreciate all the honesty and sharing. We are kindred spirits.

Kathy

1/2/2024 18:28:24

Thank you so much for this post- and to everyone who has shared their experiences in the comments. Justin and I were happily married for four years. Our 18-month old and I buried my beloved last week. Reading this has helped me feel a little less isolated.

Linda Smith

1/2/2024 18:57:26

Kathy,
I am so very very sorry to read about your husband’s death, and to have such a very young child must make it so much harder for you, I can’t imagine what you are going through, all I can say is that in time it will gradually get easier, I hope you have some good friends round you to help you through the next few months, meanwhile, sending you big hugs xx

Sandie

13/2/2024 23:13:46

Hello Kathy, I'm so sorry for your loss. I can identify with your situation as I was widowed after 6yrs of marriage and my 3 children were under 5yrs.

Please take comfort in knowing in time your pain ( and everyone on here) will ease. I've been where you all are, in early loss and thought I would never smile again. Now 23yrs on, children now young adults, working, 2 have own houses, my ' baby ' still at home. Life is good.
I think of my darling husband everyday, shed tears from time to time. If you love someone so much that pain will never leave you but you can accept it , keep living and be very proud of the new life you made because we didn't
choose it we were given it . We will survive. One day at a time and keep your memories alive by thinking and talking everyday about your loved one.
Take care.

rosie

23/2/2024 01:38:15

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Things not to say to a widow

18/10/2021
31 Comments
There are things best never said to a widow…
They are in a better place. No, the better place is here with me!
What did they die of? If I want to tell you I will. But that's private.
Grief is the price you pay for love. Only in daytime movies about bad things happening to good people and them overcoming adversity.
You are so brave! No, I'm not. I'm doing what I have to in order to keep going. And are you implying I'm not grieving enough?
You are so strong. See above.
I don't know what I would do if it happened to me. I pray you never have to find out
Everything happens for a reason. No, it doesn't.
At least you had X years together. But I wanted (X+more) years.
At least you got to have someone - not everyone does. So, I'm supposed to be grateful they died?
At least you had until death do you part, and didn't have to see them move in with someone else. Why on earth do you think they were going to move on?
Perhaps it's better that you didn't have children. How is that a comfort? How do you know I had the choice? I might have been trying. I might have been infertile. I might just have not wanted them. Does that make my grief less?
At least you don't have children - you can have so many holidays now. I'm sorry? Did I hear you right?
God must have wanted them with him/God needed them. But I wanted/needed them here with me!
God only let this happen because he knew you were strong enough to deal with it. Umm. No. Not everyone believes in the same God as you, and even if they do, that doesn't sound like a very nice version of God. And if I'd known, I would just have been a bit weaker...
It's all part of God's plan. See above.
I know exactly how you feel. My mum/dog/gerbil died, or I got divorced. Not the same. I know those things hurt. I know you are trying to help. But they are NOT the same and you don't know how I feel unless you've been here.
Time heals. Nope. Time changes things but it doesn't heal.
You don't have any luck, do you. Are you suggesting that it's my fault?
You are young. You'll find someone new. So, replacing my partner is like replacing a worn-out coat?
I hope you won't be left on the shelf now. So... I'm a jar of coffee?
This will make you a better person. Better than what?
You'll always have your memories. I know, but I'd rather have my person
You can get a new partner but I can't get a new child/sibling/cousin. Well, yes. I know. It's pants for all of us. We all lost them. But also see above.
It's what they would have wanted. And you know that how?
It could be worse. I loved them. They died. That took away my past, my present and my future. How could it possibly be worse?
I miss them so much. If you are saying this to share my grief, then that does help me to know how much they were loved. But if you are saying this because you want me to comfort you, then please don't.
Shouldn't you be getting over it by now? Oh – so there's a timetable? This is my grief, and it runs on my time. And even if I do 'get over it', I will always miss them.
I think you just need to pull yourself together. See above.
It’s a week/month since they died; do you feel any better? See above.
So - what's next for you? See above.
I expected that you would have done most of your grieving when they were diagnosed. See above.
Shouldn't you be moving on? See above. And if I do, I will move forward, not move on. It's different. I'm not moving on and leaving my memories of them behind, I'm moving forward with them in my head and my heart.
Cheer up, you're back on the market now! What?
There's a silver lining to every cloud. Really? I thought there was just rain.
Life is about chapters, and this one has closed. But it wasn't supposed to.
They'd want you to be happy. I know they would. But actually I think what they would really want is to be here.
You need to get rid of all of their stuff. I might. Or I might not. I might do it now, soon, later or never. I need to do this in my time.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. What doesn't kill me hurts me, traumatises me, and means that I am barely surviving. It leaves me scared, scarred, bitter, resentful, overly cautious, lonely, angry, misanthropic and prone to violent fantasies, with an unhealthy knowledge of some very dark things and a sense of humour blacker than a bin liner in a coal cellar.
It was their time to die. Before they'd started living their best life/raising a family/having a career/writing a novel/breeding wombats with the person they loved the most? Really?
You have such a lovely life. I'm trying to make the best of what it is now, but it was lovely (or lovelier) before.
Have you throught about getting a dog? No, not really. And even if I was, do you think a dog would replace them?
I bet you miss them. Well, yes...
Are you getting coun

Ann Fuller

7/7/2024 10:19:50

and the ever popular "You'll be fine". Thank you for this blog. Lost my guy of 34 years of marriage on 6/20/24. Just starting to navigate this new world and your blog struck a chord.

Shazz Jamieson-Evans

6/10/2024 22:02:04

I was told "Divorce is worse than being widowed" a few weeks after my husband's funeral. Talk about timing!

Omar

24/11/2024 18:44:07

I lost my father, two of my brothers, then my mother, and after her I buried my 5 year old son, and two months ago I lost my wife to cancer, and all I hear people tell me is " You are so strong and so patient in coping with all of that". What they don't know is that I have been crying since day one, every day, and it will never stop until I meet them again".
It would be nice and comforting if people just gave hugs or offered a cup of coffee instead of saying something about feelings they've never xperienced.
Just like in the song" You say it best when you say nothing at all".
Also, I feel some peace in the company of people who lost their loved ones, and are berieving just like me, we understand each other's pain and we deal with them just by being there for each other, as if to say : "Don't worry, we're in it together".

Kenneth H.

10/3/2025 05:31:08

I lost my wife 17 years ago. People don't realize that you don't just wake up one day and go " You know what, I am done grieving"
The real reason I wanted to comment was something that I said in a cancer caregiver's class. I said " I am 40 years old and I am to young to be a widower" A very nice older gentleman looked at me and just said, "Son I am 70 years old and I am to young to be a widower" 17 years later those words still stick with me. I was 40 and my wife was 30 when she passed away. I always, and even to this day have people say to me, "She was so young" well DUH! so is an 80 year old, I am sure they would still like to be getting older.
Just about every human in the word has suffered from the dreaded "Foot in Mouth" disease. I know I have more times then I care to count.;

Things not to say to a widow

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