How do you help the bereaved to separate emotionally from deceased?

1. Encourage them to talk about their feelings. This is one of the most important things you can do to help the bereaved. Let them know that it's okay to be angry, sad, or scared. Don't try to change their feelings or tell them how they should feel. Just listen and be supportive.

2. Help them to create a memorial or ritual. This can be anything from planting a tree in the deceased's memory to holding a candlelight vigil. Rituals can help the bereaved to process their grief and to start to heal.

3. Encourage them to take care of themselves. This means eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and exercising. It also means avoiding alcohol and drugs. Self-care is important for both physical and mental health.

4. Be patient. Grief is a process, and it takes time. Don't expect the bereaved to "get over it" quickly. Just be there for them and support them as they work through their grief.

5. Remind them of hope. When someone is grieving, it’s easy to focus on the immense pain and never-ending tears, but it's important to offer a sense of hope. Remind the bereaved that while they have lost someone they love, there is still joy in the moments that they shared and people left behind.