Dealing with the Death of a Co-Worker

Full time workers spend almost as much time with their associates as they do with their families and friends. In fact, over time, these people may become external family members.

They fulfill the role of a parent or sibling or may just become an expected fixture in your daily life. When one of these people is lost due to death or tragedy, the office staff may feel a type of grief similar to that of losing a loved one.

If the co-worker has suffered from a prolonged illness there will be time for the people in his/her life to prepare for the inevitable. If the death is sudden the deceased's associates may feel somewhat shocked and dismayed at the announcement.

Most likely there will be no professional counselors called in to help those left behind, but if you're an HR person or Manager, you may be able to help in certain ways.

Often, comfort can be proffered by a concerned and considerate co-worker. Here are some things you may want to put into effect to help the person's friends cope with the sadness or grief associated with losing a close member of the team.

Allow co-workers to talk in a group about the deceased. They may all have memories they want to share or they may enjoy hearing experiences others had with the associate. Since there won't be a bereavement period as there would be for a family member, taking a day to remember the departed may soothe of the sadness or shock.

Be available to listen. Just being able to talk to someone about their feelings or fears in relation to the deceased co-worker alleviates frustration and depression. When an associate dies, the grieving process needs to run its course.

Sweeping it under the rug will just prolong it but giving it time and consideration will speed the healing process.

Organize a fund to purchase a fruit basket or flowers to send to the deceased's family from the group, bring a card for all to sign and post funeral service arrangements as soon as they are available. Let the office be a part of the process with the person's family.

They will feel like they are paying respects by offering the family sympathy and support.

Offer several hours on the day of the funeral/burial so that the office can attend in a group. Not only will this comfort the departed co-workers' friends, it will please the family to see the entire work group show up en masse to pay their respect.

In order to keep the person's memory alive in the hearts of their associates, dedicate the next company picnic to his/her memory, name the lunchroom after him or collect money to start a scholarship fund for her child.

Eventually the pain of the loss will fade, however positive memories can live on in the hearts and minds of those who worked so closely with the deceased.