How to Handle Grief at Work and Beyond

Grief is never convenient. It doesn’t wait for a slow season at work, a cleared calendar, or the “right” moment to hit. It arrives uninvited, demanding attention even as the world expects us to keep moving forward.

But what happens when deep personal loss collides with professional responsibilities? When you’re expected to meet deadlines while navigating heartbreak? When the workplace offers little space for mourning, yet your grief feels too heavy to set aside?

Meredith Wilson Parfet, a crisis management CEO and hospice chaplain, understands this collision well. Grief isn’t just an emotional experience it disrupts every part of life, including work. And yet, too often, we’re expected to “power through” or find solace in well-meaning but hollow phrases like stay strong or time heals everything.

The truth? Grief doesn’t fit neatly into a schedule. But with the right tools, it’s possible to navigate both work and life without suppressing the reality of loss.

Making Space for Grief in a Culture That Doesn’t Always Understand

Workplaces are designed for efficiency, not emotional turbulence. While policies may grant a few days of bereavement leave, the expectation is often to return quickly, pick up where you left off, and keep personal struggles separate from professional duties.

But grief doesn’t clock out at 5 PM. It lingers in forgotten emails, in lost focus during meetings, in the exhaustion that no amount of coffee can fix. Expecting people to function at full capacity while carrying the weight of loss isn’t just unrealistic, it’s inhumane.

So, what can you do?

Navigating Grief at Work: A Practical Approach

Communicate Your Needs (Even When It’s Hard)
It’s tempting to keep grief private, but letting your manager or trusted colleagues know what you’re going through can ease the pressure. Be honest about what you can handle and where you need support.
Give Yourself Permission to Struggle
Grief affects concentration, energy, and emotions. Some days will be harder than others. Allow yourself the grace to have off days without guilt.
Set Boundaries
If you need time alone, take it. If you’re not ready to talk about your loss, that’s okay too. Protect your energy by setting boundaries around what you can and cannot handle.
Ask for Flexibility
If possible, adjust your workload or schedule. Remote work, reduced hours, or extended deadlines can make a significant difference in easing the emotional burden.
Find a Safe Outlet
Whether it’s therapy, a support group, journaling, or a trusted friend, having a place to process emotions outside of work is essential.

Supporting Others Through Grief

If you’re in a leadership role or have a grieving colleague, remember: grief isn’t something to be “fixed.” It’s not about offering solutions but about making space for someone to heal in their own time.

Offer practical help: Instead of saying Let me know if you need anything, try something tangible: I’ll handle this meeting for youor I’ll check in next week to see how you’re doing.
Avoid toxic positivity: Phrases like Everything happens for a reasonor They wouldn’t want you to be sad can feel dismissive. A simple I’m here for you or I can’t imagine what you’re going through is far more supportive.
Be patient: Grief has no timeline. Some days may seem “normal,” while others bring unexpected waves of emotion. Be understanding of their fluctuations.

Moving Forward, Not Moving On

Grief doesn’t have an endpoint. You don’t just “get over it” and return to business as usual. Instead, you learn to carry it differently, to integrate it into your life while still finding a way forward.

At work and beyond, we need a culture that recognizes grief not as an inconvenience, but as a natural part of life. A workplace that allows people to grieve without shame creates an environment where healing is possible not just for the individual, but for the organization as a whole.

Because when we acknowledge grief, when we make space for it instead of pushing it aside, we allow people to heal without losing themselves in the process.