When a Client Is Grieving, Will You Know What to Say?

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You want to be supportive. You also want to stay within your role. When loss enters a session, a little guidance can help you respond with compassion, ask thoughtful questions, and recognize when more support may be needed.

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Keep it close for the conversations that matter.

12 helpful things to say

Acknowledge loss and make room for the client’s experience.

7 things to avoid saying

Recognize when reassurance, advice or silver linings could miss the moment.

5 signs it may be time to refer

Consider licensed mental-health support, with guidance for urgent safety concerns.

“Would you like to talk about the loss, or focus on something else today?”

One thoughtful question can give the client room to choose what they need.

You don’t have to specialize in grief to encounter it.

This guide is for life, relationship, divorce, health and wellness, spiritual, executive, and other non-clinical coaches. Loss may involve a death, a relationship ending, a change in health, a career transition, or another meaningful change in a client’s life.

From Kimberly Haynes

I’m a life and spiritual coach, grief educator, and coach educator. I created this resource to help coaches meet conversations about loss with warmth, thoughtful questions, and respect for the limits of coaching.

This is an educational resource for coaches. Coaching does not diagnose or treat mental-health conditions. The guide does not confer counseling certification, mental-health licensure, or ICF accreditation, and does not replace professional assessment or crisis training.

You don’t need perfect words.
Start with a thoughtful response.