Words may not even be necessary, as your physical presence alone can be a great source of comfort. Consider this insight from a mother whose 10-year old daughter, Vicki was abducted and murdered. When I looked up at the funeral and saw the doctor who delivered Vicki, that helped. I can still see him standing there with pain on his face. He didn t get a chance to get over and talk to me, but I knew he was there.
People think they have to say something, but it s their presence that counts.
The first few hours and days after learning that a loved one has been murdered leave family members in shock and numbed by the news. They need people who make themselves available and know how to help in very practical ways. Recently a mother and father were notified by police that their 18-year old daughter had been the victim of a random shooting and was at a hospital emergency room. Then next evening the daughter died. The mother says she has few clear memories of the first 24 hours.