Saying goodbye is universal. We will all face it at some point in our lives, often many times. Despite that, no one is practiced at what to say when we encounter saying goodbye to loved ones.
When a loved one is moving, leaving a place of work, or even dying, we struggle to find the right words to let them know what they’ve meant to us.
The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all way to say goodbye. But it is important to say goodbye. You can customize your parting message to a friend or family member who's leaving.
Let your farewell be informed by the kind of relationship you have with them. Read on for more tips and suggestions on personalizing your goodbyes.
Don’t be afraid to say goodbye
A lot of times we resist the urge to say goodbye. We don’t want our loved ones to feel as though we’re giving up on them. But people who are dying know they’re dying. Tiptoeing around it doesn’t do anyone any favors.
If you miss your chance to say goodbye, you’ll likely regret not taking the time when you had it.
Reassure them
Even if you’re speaking honestly about leaving you can still provide comfort. Let your loved one know everything you’ll do to continue supporting them.
This can include when you’ll be there to spend time for them, or what you’ll do to advocate for them. You can also reassure them that things will be okay after they’re gone. We all worry about the people we’ll leave behind. Ease that concern by talking about the things you’ll do in the future.
But don’t just talk in vague terms. Tell your loved one the specific things you’ll do to help their family.