Condolences can also be expressed by attending to practicalities. After Dianne’s mother’s funeral, the family arrived home to find the lawn mowed, and they still wonder who was responsible for the good deed. Tending to young children, answering the telephone, preparing the house for guests, and chauffeuring relatives to and from the airport are all expressions of sympathy.
Although social support is a necessary aspect of mourning, sympathizers can overstep their boundaries. Let’s now consider how mourners can respond to inappropriate sympathy.