Supporting girl holding hands of her friend while expressing sympathy in hard period of life

Grieving Together

For many of our clients, our staff is more than their financial advisors. We are grateful to live life alongside our clients and are privileged to share their personal events. We attend weddings, toast graduations, send baby gifts, and are often one of the first calls a client makes when someone close to them dies.

At Inspired Financial, as a team who specializes in women in transition, we spend time preparing to help clients when they lose a loved one or grieve over an unexpected life change. Our staff attends workshops, reads books, and subscribes to ongoing educational material on grief, and we are able to apply what we learn inside and outside of our office.

Initial Response: We have learned that when someone calls to tell you that the unimaginable has happened, there are more supportive responses than “I’m sorry.” While “I’m sorry” is often a first instinct, the person who is suffering feels compelled to say “Thank you,” or “It’s ok,” when it really is anything but ok. Responses such as “I am so sad to hear that, what can you tell me?“ or “That is such a shock, who is with you right now?” often lead to better conversations.

Ongoing Communication: We meet with our clients, often multiple times, to help them navigate the unfamiliar financial processes that follow loss. We learn not to be afraid to bring up their loved one or discuss their unhappy situation. Talking about loss is healthy. Grief that is ignored does not go away. We bring up the loved one and share stories about them or have heartfelt discussions about what was supposed to be. Sharing might bring up tears, but it can be healing to allow them to spill.

Provide a “No Judgement Zone”: Everyone grieves on their own schedule and in their own way. Some of our clients have spent months and years as caregivers, and they may feel a sense of relief instead of shock, having grieved while their loved one was ill. Or, someone who has experienced sudden job loss or an unexpected divorce may be angry. Plus, we realize that often how one grieves now may be different in the future.

Engage in Activities: If the grieving individual is someone with whom we interact outside of the office, it can be helpful to offer to join them in activities that bring comfort to their body, mind and soul. Do they like to be with others? Would they prefer to be alone? (Alone is different than lonely.) Maybe they would like to get outdoors, attend a religious service, spend time quietly together or laugh with old friends who know them well. Some of the best grieving takes place over fond memories.

Offer Support: Finally, we know it is important to check on the grieving individual to offer support – now and down the road. Some individuals miss being a part of activities and having a full calendar, while others prefer to stay closer to home. We can ask how often they would like to hear from us.

One of our trusted resources at Inspired Financial is author and grief expert, Amy Florian. Amy’s books include A Friend Indeed: Help Those Who Love When They Grieve and her workshops are offered through her company, Corgenius. You can find her books on Amazon or through her website, corgenius.com.

Loss and the journey of grief is intensely personal, and we are honored to share that journey with our clients with thoughtfulness, compassion, and support.

3 Comments

  1. 28 March 2023
    Pat Felbinger
    Reply

    Thanks Carol for a beneficial article. Inspired Financial was very helpful when I needed them!!!! The staff went above & beyond!!!!!

  2. 18 April 2023
    Leanne
    Reply

    Thank you, Carol. Good information!

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