I Don't Know What To Say to a Grieving Parent (part 1)

What do you say to a grieving parent?

For many people, the fear of saying the wrong thing leads to silence, distance, and disappearance. But for bereaved parents, that silence often hurts far more than imperfect words ever could.

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Bruce Barker and Kristin Glenn speak directly to the friends, family members, co-workers, and supporters who want to help grieving parents but feel unsure how.

Together, they share honest insight into:
• Why presence matters more than perfect words
• Simple phrases that genuinely help
• Why saying a child’s name matters
• The impact of silence and avoidance
• Common responses that unintentionally hurt
• How grief does not need fixing, it needs witnessing

This episode is both practical and deeply personal, offering compassionate guidance for anyone walking beside a bereaved parent.