Hi all. My hubby's Grandpa passed away yesterday after a short battle with cancer :( He's taken it very hard especially because it was the only Grandpa he had. What are some nice ways to cheer him up while still giving him the space to grieve?

So sorry for your loss Kristen. Really, time is the only true healer. Just be there for him if/when he wants to talk, maybe fix his favorite meal, or watch his favorite movie. Just something to give him a break from the grief. Otherwise, just your love and support.

Plant a tree in grandpa's honor. Its always a nice gesture.

Sadly I've been through a lot of death. I can tell you what helped.

Let him dictate what he needs. Don't try to read his mind, be available for whatever he needs at any given time.

Be very patient. If you love him you are going to want him to feel better and make this go away as soon as possible. Don't do that. Let him grieve as he must. I know it will be frustrating sometimes but the patience is a must.

Please do not say anything to make yourself feel better, and never lie. It's better to say nothing at all or a " I don't know what to say" or "I don't know what to do","how can I help?" Those statements are honest. The "He's in a better place" is not truthful and is only said to make the person saying it feel better by thinking they are being comforting.

Sometimes the best support you can offer is letting everything happen in a natural way and by just being present, no words are necessary.

Please know he might not be the same person for awhile. He might seem impulsive, he might start spending money, your s3x life might suffer, insomnia, needing a night light. Just be there.

Maybe get him a book on grieving. If you both read it you will both have some ideas on what to expect.

Seek grief counselling if he needs it.

Just be present, Kristen. Listen to him, hold him, wipe away his tears.

I am so sorry for your husband's and your loss.

You cannot cheer him up, and you shouldn't try. Grieving is a process that one needs to go through. You need to give him time to process the loss. My husband and I have found for us what helps us get through gieveing is to talk about our happy memories of our lost one. We try to focus on then good times rather then the pain and suffering at the end. 

Here is a brochure entitled "When someone you loves dies"