Grief Cliches

"I know exactly how you feel."

"If there is anything I can do, just call me."

"I know exactly how you feel."

If you have had a similar loss, you can give tremendous support to the grieving person, but don't suggest that you know exactly what they're going through

"Time will heal."

"If there is anything I can do, just call me."

"I know exactly how you feel."

Moldy oldie! To the bereaved, each day can seem like an eternity. Besides, how do you know that "time will heal" them? Time alone doesn't heal, but what one does with their time can help the healing process. Alternative - "You must feel as if this pain will never end..."

"If there is anything I can do, just call me."

The grieving person probably will not call you. You must take the initiative and be specific so that they know your offer is genuine and not cliché!

"You must be strong for your...."

"If I were you, I would do it this way..."

"If there is anything I can do, just call me."

These types of "Be Strong" statements can be interpreted to say "Don't cry in front of me!" Children and teens can take statements like these literally, which may cause them to repress their grief feelings. Alternatives - "Make sure you’re taking care of you…I can imagine how hard this must be."

"You should be over this by now."

"If I were you, I would do it this way..."

"Get On With Life" clichés tell the grieving person that "We're tired of hearing this!" The time it takes for one to work through his or her grief is highly individual. There is no set time in which one should "get over it." Alternative - "I know it will take a long time for you to feel better, and I want to help you as much as I can. Teach me how."

"If I were you, I would do it this way..."

Alternative- "I cannot tell you what to do because I am not you, and I don't know exactly what you're going through." “I've had a similar experience, so I have an idea of what you must feel. What I learned/helped me is...."

Grief Cliches

"I know exactly how you feel."

"If there is anything I can do, just call me."

"I know exactly how you feel."

"Time will heal."

"If there is anything I can do, just call me."

"I know exactly how you feel."

"If there is anything I can do, just call me."

"If there is anything I can do, just call me."

"If there is anything I can do, just call me."

"You must be strong for your...."

"If I were you, I would do it this way..."

"If there is anything I can do, just call me."

"You should be over this by now."

"If I were you, I would do it this way..."

"If I were you, I would do it this way..."

"If I were you, I would do it this way..."

"If I were you, I would do it this way..."

"If I were you, I would do it this way..."

This website uses cookies.