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Grief Questions for a Group Discussion

The grief of losing a loved one can cause feelings of guilt, anger, despair and fear in those coping with the loss. Group therapy provides individuals suffering from grief the support of people who can empathize with their pain and help to alleviate their feelings of isolation and loneliness. Questions asked in a group discussion should focus on addressing a person's loss, and letting her know she are not alone.

  1. Listening

    • Listen to what the bereaved has to say. Begin by asking if the person would like to talk about how her loved died. Let the person know that it's OK to become emotional, and that you and the group will be there for her if she begins to lose control of her emotions. Be prepared to listen without interrupting her story and to sit silently while giving her your undivided focus.

    Responding

    • Ask the bereaved open-ended and leading questions that lets him know you actively listened to his story. Begin by paraphrasing his story and highlighting his emotions. Use such leads as: "You seem to...," "Sounds like...," "I feel as if you" when describing his emotional state. Follow up these questions by asking if you have accurately captured his mood and his feelings. Ask him how these feelings are affecting his home and work life. Begin these questions with such leads as: "How does...," "Could you...," "Do you..." to give the bereaved a chance to express his emotions.

    Assistance

    • When dealing with loss, the day-to-day activities of life can seem unimportant or overly demanding to the bereaved. Grocery shopping, paying bills, cleaning the house, or walking pets can seem overwhelming. Ask if the group can assist the bereaved with any of these activities. Offer to help with making funeral arrangements or placing an obituary notice if needed. Suggest she go for a walk with a group member, to a movie or any other activity that will get her out of the house for a change of scenery.

    Continued Support

    • Everyone grieves in his own way and at his own pace. Friends or family less affected by the loss of a loved one can move on from a tragedy long before those closely affected. Let the bereaved know that you and the group will be there for him as long as he needs assistance. Check back periodically to find out about his current emotional state. Ask him how he is doing, and if things have begun to get any easier.

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